WS Chronicle

Staff Report

The Chronicle

WINSTON-SALEM — What was to be a marquee kickoff to the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series exhibition season has become one of the more unusual weather stories in recent motorsports history. The Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium, originally scheduled for this past weekend, has now been rescheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 4 at 6 p.m. Eastern due to a powerful winter storm that dumped historic snow across the Piedmont.

The four-corner quarter-mile track, affectionately known as “The Madhouse,” was set to host practice, qualifying and a full slate of races Friday and Saturday before heavy snow arrived. Saturday’s activities were canceled outright due to expected snowfall, forcing NASCAR and local officials to rethink the schedule.

Plans to consolidate the event into a one-day show on Sunday gave way to even greater storm impacts, with 8–10 inches of snow reported in Winston-Salem and surrounding areas, along with lingering ice as temperatures fluctuated near freezing. That prompted NASCAR to postpone the race first to Monday, then again as cleanup and safety concerns mounted.

In an official statement, organizers said moving the event to midweek allows the city to dedicate resources to snow removal, track preparation and public safety before hosting thousands of race fans. Officials noted that clearing the racing surface, grandstands, access roads and parking areas at Bowman Gray Stadium required significant time and coordination.

Updated Wednesday schedule:
• Parking lots open at 11:30 a.m. ET
• Off-site shuttle services begin at noon
• Gates open at 12:30 p.m. ET
• Practice and qualifying at 1:30 p.m. ET
• Last Chance Qualifier at 4:30 p.m. ET
• NASCAR Cup Series Cook Out Clash at 6 p.m. ET

The Cook Out Clash is a 200-lap, non-points exhibition race and marks a rare midweek event for the NASCAR Cup Series. For Winston-Salem, the postponements underscore both the challenges of winter weather in the South and the national spotlight now focused on Bowman Gray Stadium, a historic venue deeply rooted in the city’s racing culture.

Local officials continue to urge caution for those planning to attend, encouraging early arrival, use of shuttle services and attention to updated traffic advisories as cleanup efforts continue. Additional guidance for ticket holders is expected ahead of race day.