NASCAR’s unofficial start to the 2026 season is in jeopardy due to winter weather. Winter Storm Fern left Bowman Gray Stadium covered in snow just days before the pre-season Clash that is supposed to take place at the iconic short track.
The track, located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, was completely covered in snow following the storm. Plows have been working to clear the roads around Bowman Gray, but despite some sunshine, little is melting as temperatures remain around freezing. According to AccuWeather, temperatures punched above freezing for the first time today with a high of 37 degrees (Fahrenheit). That trend will continue into Wednesday and Thursday.
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The track itself is now clear while the infield remains coated with a thin layer of snow. However, their efforts will be stifled by the fact that temperatures will plunge back down just in time for the race weekend with a high of 21 and low of 11 on Saturday, and then a high of 27 with a low of 15 on Sunday. There’s also a chance of additional snow flurries during the race weekend as another system moves into the area.
Mike Joy, who works as the play-by-play announcer for NASCAR on FOX, gave the following update regarding the track on Tuesday: “Bowman-Gray at noon: track and pits are plowed and drying. Main St. has just one lane scraped each way. Other roads and side streets are packed snow. Most lots have snow piled high, limiting parking. If coming, dress for extreme cold. Plan to park remotely and shuttle to track.”
As conversations continue regarding possible adjustments to the weekend schedule, NASCAR Executive Vice President and Chief Venue & Racing Innovation Officer Ben Kennedy offered the following insight:
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“Snow has been cleared from the track and garage areas at Bowman Gray. Hoping for a warm(er) day or two in Winston-Salem to accelerate clean up. We’re continuing to monitor more weather this weekend and will communicate schedule changes, if any.”
This is the second year of The Clash being held at Bowman Gray Stadium. In 2024, NASCAR held the event at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum for the final time, and that event was forced to run one day early due to historic rainfall and flooding that hit Southern California.
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