Depending on the wintry weather in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, the NASCAR Cup Series is scheduled to kick off its 2026 season Sunday with the Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium.
The forecast has already impacted the schedule for the season-opening exhibition event at the 0.25-mile oval nicknamed “The Madhouse.”
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With 3 inches of snow predicted Saturday, NASCAR has postponed the practice, qualifying and heat races to Sunday afternoon ahead of the Last Chance Qualifier and the main event Sunday night.
NASCAR: Clash at Bowman Gray
NASCAR postpones Clash heat races, practice and qualifying because of winter weather
Sessions moved to Sunday ahead of main event at Bowman Gray Stadium
A storm blanketed the Piedmont region of North Carolina with snow and ice last weekend, and track officials worked to clear the venue and grandstands this week.
NASCAR executive Ben Kennedy has said “our goal is to host the Clash at Bowman Gray” while adding that NASCAR will continue to monitor the weather with local officials.
The Clash also drew concern last year about frigid temperatures, but the first Cup Series race at Bowman Gray in more than 50 years went off without a hitch.
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Here are the daily schedules and weekend weather outlook for the NASCAR Cook Out Clash:
Clash weekend weather
Saturday: A high of 22 degrees and winds from the north to northeast at 10 to 15 mph. Snow likely with chances ranging from 70-80% throughout the day and a possible accumulation of 1-3 inches.
Sunday: Mostly sunny skies with a high of 30 degrees, winds from the northwest at 10 to 15 mph and the chances of precipitation dropping to under 1% after 6 a.m. It’s expected to be 24 degrees at the start of the main event.
Clash schedule
Thursday, Jan. 29
(All times Eastern)
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9-11 a.m.: Haulers enter Winston Salem Fairgrounds Event Center
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11 a.m.-4 p.m.: Inspection at Winston Salem Fairgrounds Event Center
Friday, Jan. 30
(All times Eastern)
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3 p.m.: Haulers enter Bowman Gray Stadium
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5 p.m.: Driver-crew chief meeting (virtual)
Saturday, Jan. 31
(All times Eastern)
All track activity postponed
Sunday, Feb. 1
(All times Eastern)
Garage open
-
2-11:30 p.m.: NASCAR Cup Series
Track activity
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2-4 p.m.: Practice, qualifying, FS2; MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio
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6 p.m.: Last chance qualifier (75 laps), Fox; MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio
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8 p.m.: Main event (200 laps, green flag only, Fox; MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio
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