Get Ready for the Action-Packed Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium!
Excitement is building as NASCAR Cup Series drivers prepare to hit the track at the iconic Bowman Gray Stadium. This exhilarating event kicks off with two practice sessions, each lasting 8 minutes, followed by a competitive qualifying round on Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. ET. You can catch all the action live through the FOX Sports App if you have access to FS1 and log in via your service provider.
During the qualifying session, each driver will have a total of four minutes to clock their best lap time, giving them the freedom to complete as many laps as they wish within this timeframe. However, there's a twist this year! Due to inclement winter weather leading to the cancellation of heat races, the top 20 fastest drivers from the qualifying round will automatically secure their spots in the main event—a thrilling 200-lap race set to start at 6 p.m. ET, which you can follow on FOX, MRN Radio, HBO Max, or SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
But that’s not all! The competition continues with the Last Chance Qualifier Race scheduled for 4:30 p.m. ET. The top two finishers from this 75-lap race will earn their place in the main event, filling the 21st and 22nd starting positions. Meanwhile, the 23rd and final entry will be awarded to the highest-ranked driver from the 2025 final standings who didn't make it through the LCQ.
Practice Group Breakdown
Group 1:
- AJ Allmendinger
- Todd Gilliland
- Zane Smith
- Connor Zilisch
- Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
- Daniel Suárez
- Cole Custer
- Ty Dillon
- Noah Gragson
- Riley Herbst
- Ryan Preece
- Chad Finchum
- Burt Myers (i)
Group 2:
- Alex Bowman
- Austin Cindric
- Austin Dillon
- Josh Berry
- Chris Buescher
- Cody Ware
- Corey LaJoie
- Michael McDowell
- Carson Hocevar
- Erik Jones
- John Hunter Nemechek
Group 3:
- Kyle Larson
- Denny Hamlin
- Chase Briscoe
- William Byron
- Christopher Bell
- Ryan Blaney
- Joey Logano
- Chase Elliott
- Tyler Reddick
- Ross Chastain
Qualifying Groups
The qualifying groups are designed to test drivers in parallel, ensuring an exciting lead-up to the main event:
- Group 1: Cole Custer, Ty Gibbs, Joey Logano, Ty Dillon, Noah Gragson, Riley Herbst, Ryan Preece, Chad Finchum, Burt Myers (i), AJ Allmendinger, Alex Bowman, Todd Gilliland, Zane Smith, Connor Zilisch, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Daniel Suárez
- Group 2: The same lineup will appear, with varied performance expected as each driver aims for that top position.
- Group 3: Similar dynamics apply, emphasizing the competitive spirit amongst top racers.
The Stakes Are High!
As we gear up for this high-octane racing event, the excitement isn’t just about seeing who qualifies. The results will shape the narrative for the upcoming season!
Qualifying Results:
An array of positions will determine how the race unfolds, with the first 20 slots filled based on qualifying times, while the last few spots will bring additional drama from the LCQ race—who will rise to the occasion?
Cook Out Clash Starting Lineup:
Drivers will line up according to their qualifying performance, with the top positions going to the fastest times recorded during qualifying.
This event promises to be more than just another race; it’s a testament to skill, strategy, and sheer determination. What are your predictions for the race? Will the top qualifiers hold their ground against fierce competition from the LCQ? Join the conversation and share your thoughts in the comments below!
