The future of the Clash, a surprisingly good run at Bowman Gray Stadium and more chatter from Sunday's exhibition race.

NASCAR returns to its roots Sunday with the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium, which last played host to a Cup Series event more than 50 years ago. After three years on a temporary short track at the Los Angeles Coliseum, NASCAR has moved The Clash to the 0.25-mile track in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, known as “The Madhouse.”

Bowman Gray, on the other hand, is a traditional NASCAR short track that has featured weekly racing throughout its history. Nevertheless, both the debut event at the Coliseum in 2022 and the return of NASCAR Cup racing to Bowman Gray this past weekend produced electric atmospheres on both sides of the country.

The Clash got a jolt of energy at the North Carolina short track. Will it return in 2026, or will NASCAR look elsewhere?

NASCAR season begins with the Cook Out Clash at the Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, on February 2.

WINSTON-SALEM -- The 2025 NASCAR season unofficially gets underway on Sunday night, as some of the top drivers head to the legendary Bowman Gray Stadium for the Cook Out Clash. After three years racing at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, NASCAR elected to move its premier preseason event to a more traditional venue.

NASCAR viewership numbers for Bowman Gray Stadium The first race of the 2025 NASCAR season is in the books. On Sunday, Bowman Gray Stadium hosted The Clash featuring the NASCAR Cup Series. See NASCAR TV ratings below.