Quick Read
- The 2026 NASCAR Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium was postponed from Sunday, Feb. 1 to Monday, Feb. 2 due to winter weather.
- The exhibition race’s format was revised, scrapping heat races and making qualifying more crucial for the 23-car field.
- Practice and qualifying begin at 11 a.m. ET, with the main 200-lap event scheduled for 6 p.m. ET on FOX.
- New Goodyear tires and frigid temperatures introduce additional unknowns for teams and drivers regarding performance and wear.
- Ryan Blaney and Chase Elliott are co-favorites, while Joey Logano is considered a strong contender by expert models despite longer odds.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (Azat TV) – The highly anticipated 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season-opening exhibition, the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium, has been postponed by one day to Monday, February 2, 2026, due to winter weather conditions that blanketed the historic quarter-mile track. This delay has prompted significant format revisions, intensifying the competition and introducing new variables for teams and drivers as they prepare for the first on-track action of the year.
Originally scheduled for Sunday, February 1, the event was pushed back after accumulating snow made track conditions untenable. The postponement means a streamlined schedule for Monday, with practice and qualifying sessions now starting at 11 a.m. ET, followed by a Last Chance Qualifier race at 4:30 p.m. ET, and the main 200-lap event culminating at 6 p.m. ET, broadcast live on FOX.
NASCAR Revises Cook Out Clash Format
The most notable change to the Cook Out Clash format is the complete cancellation of the four 25-lap heat races that were originally intended to determine the starting grid for the 23-car field. Instead, qualifying speed will now directly determine the top 20 starters. An additional two spots will be awarded to the first finishers in a 75-lap Last Chance Qualifier race. The final provisional berth will go to the highest-ranking driver from the 2025 Cup Series points standings who has not otherwise secured a starting position.
This revised structure places a heightened emphasis on individual qualifying performance and strategic car setup. Joe Gibbs Racing driver Christopher Bell acknowledged the impact, stating, “Certainly it changes the format a little bit. I read that we will not have heat races now, so probably makes qualifying a little bit more important.” Bell emphasized the need for teams to be ‘really sharp on your changes that you make to your car, what you’re asking for, and the crew chief has to do their job to hit the qualifying balance right.’
Drivers Brace for New Goodyear Tires and Frigid Conditions
Beyond the format adjustments, teams face the additional challenge of a new Goodyear tire combination making its debut. This setup features left-side rubber designed to promote wear, shifting greater focus to tire management. However, the frigid temperatures expected at Bowman Gray Stadium introduce an unknown factor into how these new tires will perform.
Paul Wolfe, crew chief for Joey Logano’s No. 22 Team Penske Ford, expressed caution regarding the cold weather’s effect. “With the temperatures potentially below freezing, right, it’s definitely an unknown for us,” Wolfe told NASCAR.com. He noted that while cooler track temperatures typically provide more grip, extreme cold could alter this conventional wisdom, potentially accelerating tire wear. Goodyear reportedly feels confident about durability in cold conditions, but Wolfe stressed the need for teams to be ‘fluid with it and being prepared to adapt.’
Defending Cup Series champion Kyle Larson, while acknowledging the discomfort for pit crews and fans, suggested drivers might be relatively insulated from the extreme cold. “Thankfully for us, we’re inside of a stock car, which is basically like an oven, so that’ll help,” Larson remarked, adding that he wouldn’t be surprised if drivers still broke a sweat inside the car. He concluded, “We love the sport, and we’ll compete in any conditions, I think. I honestly just look forward to the challenge.”
Early Favorites and Expert Predictions for the Clash
As the NASCAR season opener draws near, betting odds have been released for the Cook Out Clash. Ryan Blaney and Chase Elliott are currently listed as co-favorites at +650, according to CBS Sports. Other top contenders include Denny Hamlin at +700, Kyle Larson at +850, and William Byron at +900. Christopher Bell and Joey Logano are also strong contenders at +1000.
Auto racing insider Mike McClure, known for his predictive model, has identified Joey Logano as a top-six contender, suggesting Logano has a better chance to win than his odds imply. Logano finished in the top five at this event last year and closed the previous season with five top-eight finishes in his final nine races. McClure’s model also suggests avoiding co-favorite Ryan Blaney, who it predicts will barely crack the top five. Enthusiasts are also looking for potential longshots at +2200 or higher to make a surprise run.
The postponement and subsequent format changes for the Cook Out Clash underscore NASCAR’s commitment to running its events while adapting to unforeseen circumstances, providing a unique challenge for teams to demonstrate their readiness and adaptability at the very outset of the 2026 season.