Bowman Gray Stadium Pushes Through Wacky Weather Week to Complete Clash

Getty Images

Aerial view of Bowman Gray Stadium, North Carolina.

The 2026 NASCAR season opened dramatically at Bowman Gray Stadium, known by many as “The Madhouse.” What should have been a fast Sunday exhibition quickly turned into a test of patience as severe winter weather hit North Carolina.

Snow, freezing rain, and sleet forced officials to delay the Cook Out Clash several times before drivers could finally take the green flag. Crews worked around the clock to prepare the track while city teams cleared roads so fans could travel safely.

When racing finally began on Wednesday night, the harsh conditions remained and shaped the outcome. In the end, Ryan Preece pushed through the cold and chaos, drove from deep in the field, and captured the unofficial victory to launch the new NASCAR year.

Winter storm hits Bowman Gray Stadium and forces multiple delays

A powerful winter storm dropped between 8 and 11 inches of snow across Winston-Salem and nearby Charlotte, where many NASCAR teams operate. The heavy snowfall made travel hazardous and covered the stadium, leaving officials with little choice but to reschedule.

Officials first shifted the race from Sunday to Monday. Weather conditions stayed poor, so they delayed it again to Wednesday, February 4. The added time gave city crews and track workers a chance to clear snow and handle icy spots.

Officials focused on safety throughout the week. The roads around the venue needed to be cleared before thousands of fans could arrive. NASCAR and the City of Winston-Salem coordinated their response to what leaders described as a “historic snowfall.” For a short time, the storm raised genuine concern that the preseason race might not take place at all.

Despite the setbacks, preparations continued. Workers cleared seating sections, pit road, and access paths so teams could move equipment without trouble. By midweek, the track was ready, and the event moved forward under cold but manageable conditions.

Wet conditions create a long night of racing

Weather still played a role once the race began. At the lap 100 halfway break, rain and sleet started falling again, changing how drivers handled the tight quarter-mile oval.

NASCAR required teams to switch to wet-weather Goodyear tires, a rare step for a short-track exhibition. The moisture made the surface slippery and reduced grip, which led to several on-track incidents.

The Clash format also stretched the race. Caution laps do not count toward the 200-lap distance, so every yellow flag added more time. Officials displayed a record 17 cautions as drivers fought for control in the freezing spray under the stadium lights.

The event lasted about three hours. Teams had to manage tire wear, fuel, and visibility while adapting to changing track conditions. Drivers stayed alert as spins and contact reshuffled the order again and again.

Ryan Preece drives from 18th to victory

Ryan Preece of RFK Racing started 18th but steadily moved forward as others struggled. He avoided major trouble and kept his car stable on the damp asphalt.

Several contenders faced problems during the race. Kyle Larson and Bubba Wallace both spun, while fuel concerns affected strategy across the field. Preece took the lead for good on lap 156 and maintained control through the closing laps.

William Byron finished second, and Ryan Blaney came home third. The win added Preece to a list of drivers that includes Jeff Gordon and Denny Hamlin, who claimed a Clash victory before earning their first points-paying Cup Series win.

With the exhibition complete, teams now shift their focus to the regular season. The Clash served as the final warmup before the 68th Annual Daytona 500 on Sunday, February 15. After a week defined by snow and freezing rain in Winston-Salem, the series heads to Florida ready for the next chapter of the 2026 schedule.

Dogli Wilberforce is a sports writer who covers NASCAR, Formula 1 and IndyCar Series for Heavy Sports. With bylines at Total Apex Sports and Last Word on Sports, Wilberforce has built a reputation for delivering timely, engaging coverage that blends sharp analysis with accessible storytelling. Wilberforce has covered everything from major football transfers to fight-night drama, bringing readers the insight and context behind the headlines. More about Dogli Wilberforce