WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – NASCAR made a nostalgic return to its origins with a harmonious preseason exhibition at Bowman Gray Stadium, culminating in a celebrated victory for Chase Elliott at The Clash on Sunday night.
Elliott kick-started his night with a heat race win that positioned him at the pole. He showcased a masterful performance on the quarter-mile track, the same venue that last witnessed NASCAR’s Cup Series action in 1971. This win marked Elliott’s inaugural triumph at The Clash, earning him a prestigious place alongside his father, Bill Elliott, who claimed the title in 1987 before going on to win the Daytona 500 just a week later.
With NASCAR’s season set to kick off on February 16 at the Daytona International Speedway, Chase Elliott is eager to replicate the success his father once had. “I’m thrilled to head to Daytona. It’s a fantastic way to launch the season,” he shared. “While it doesn’t count in the standings, winning feels great. I’m incredibly proud of our team for maintaining focus and pushing ahead.”
Traditionally, The Clash was an exhibition event held at Daytona International Speedway from 1979 until 2021, serving as a prelude to the Daytona 500. However, in an innovative move, NASCAR relocated it to Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in 2022, where the venue was converted into a temporary short track for three consecutive years. This year, the event took a step back in time, returning to Bowman Gray Stadium, a site that has historic relevance, having hosted Cup Series races from 1958 to 1971. Currently, the stadium is a hub for weekly local racing events and functions as the football field for Winston-Salem State University.
Famed for its tense atmosphere and frequent brawls, this weekend’s racing at Bowman Gray managed to avoid any altercations, marking a refreshing change. “This place holds a unique significance in NASCAR history,” Elliott reflected. “I believe it deserves this event. I hope our performance met expectations. It was a blast for me; hopefully, we can return someday.”
Driving his Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, Elliott led the race impressively, completing 172 laps of the 200-lap event in front of a sold-out crowd of 17,000 racing fans. Each time Elliott maneuvered past a lapped car or battled closely with fellow racer Denny Hamlin, the audience erupted with excitement, ultimately cheering as he fended off a final challenge from Ryan Blaney to clinch victory.
“Thank you all for making this such a remarkable atmosphere,” Elliott expressed to the fans. “Racing in a stadium like this creates a special experience for us; I appreciate everyone making the moment unforgettable for my team and me. I hope you enjoyed the show.” He went on to describe the challenges he faced during the race, particularly from Blaney, who kept him on his toes at the end, and from Hamlin, who was strong in the latter part of the event.
Kyle Larson and Josh Berry secured their spots in The Clash earlier that evening with a strong performance in the chaotic last-chance qualifying, while Blaney made the lineup based on his previous season’s points tally, completing the 23-car field.
As this marks the first Cup Series race at what is affectionately referred to as the “Mecca of Madhouse,” the event was devoid of the typical outbursts witnessed in weekly local races held at Bowman Gray.
The special nature of the event was underscored by the presence of Richard Childress, a local legend and Hall of Fame team owner who reminisced about his childhood selling peanuts in the stadium. He took time before the race to drop by the Fox Sports booth with a snack delivery for the broadcast team. “As a kid, we used to hop the fence to sell peanuts and popcorn, and I would hang out with the race drivers. It was such a thrilling experience that I knew I had to become a race driver. We came here for a fight, and a race would just happen,” recalled Childress fondly.
Ryan Blaney finished the race in second place in a Ford for Team Penske, with Denny Hamlin following closely in third place, racing a Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing.
