Winter Storm Forces NASCAR Cook Out Clash Delay

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — The much-anticipated Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium, which was set to kick off the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season, has been pushed back by a day due to a wintry blast that swept through the Piedmont region of North Carolina. Originally scheduled for Sunday, February 1, the event will now roar to life on Monday, February 2, 2026, with the green flag for the main event set to drop at 6 p.m. ET. For NASCAR fans, it’s a minor detour on the road to another high-octane season, but organizers are working around the clock to ensure the show goes on—safely and spectacularly.

The decision to postpone the exhibition race was announced Saturday morning, as snow blanketed Winston-Salem and its surrounding areas. According to NASCAR officials, the winter weather created hazardous travel conditions, making it unsafe for both competitors and fans to make their way to the stadium. “Mother Nature hasn’t been kind to us at all this week,” one NASCAR representative said during a live update, “but we have a tremendous amount of equipment here and we have already started to mobilize that to see how we can best clear the property.”

With more snow expected throughout the day, the call to reschedule wasn’t taken lightly. Safety was the number one concern, emphasized repeatedly by NASCAR and city officials. “We don’t want people traveling to the event in unsafe conditions, and given the amount of snowfall that we’re having… it could create issues on some primary and even secondary roads like neighborhoods and things like that,” the official explained. The postponement also gives everyone more time to react and plan accordingly, ensuring that all aspects of the facility are ready before hosting fans and competitors.

The Cook Out Clash is no ordinary race—it's a non-points exhibition event that serves as the unofficial kickoff for the NASCAR Cup Series season. The excitement was palpable before the weather intervened, and now, anticipation is building even higher as crews work to clear the stadium. As of Saturday, the racing surface and ball field were covered in a layer of light, fluffy snow, which, according to officials, should be easier to remove once the wind dies down. “Once the snow stops falling, we can quickly get it moved and we have enough equipment here to get it moved,” the update continued, expressing confidence in the team’s ability to get the venue race-ready.

The revised schedule for Monday, February 2, is packed with action. NASCAR Cup Series practice and qualifying will kick things off at 11 a.m. ET, with live coverage on FS2. The 20 fastest drivers in qualifying will secure their spots in the main event, while the remaining 18 will battle it out in the Last Chance Qualifier at 4:30 p.m. ET on FOX. A provisional spot is reserved for the highest-finishing driver in 2025 points who doesn’t advance through qualifying or the Last Chance Qualifier, ensuring a competitive field of 23 drivers for the 200-lap main event at 6 p.m. ET, also broadcast on FOX.

Fans are encouraged to plan ahead, as parking lots at Bowman Gray Stadium will open at 9 a.m. ET, with off-site shuttle services starting at 9:30 a.m. and gates opening at 10 a.m. Organizers are working closely with the City of Winston-Salem and North Carolina state officials to coordinate logistics and ensure that the event is held safely. For ticket holders seeking the latest updates, information is available at www.nascarclash.com/weather or by calling 855-525-7223.

The winter storm hasn’t just impacted the Cup Series. The Cook Out Madhouse Classic, which features the NASCAR Weekly Series’ Modified and Sportsman divisions, has also been postponed, with a new date yet to be announced. This adds a layer of uncertainty for local drivers and fans who look forward to Bowman Gray’s signature grassroots racing action. Still, the commitment to rescheduling rather than canceling speaks volumes about NASCAR’s determination to deliver a full slate of racing for all involved.

Bowman Gray Stadium itself is steeped in history. Built in 1937, it’s one of the oldest short tracks in the country and is considered the longest-running weekly racetrack in NASCAR history. The venue previously hosted Cup Series races from 1958 to 1971 before the event made its triumphant return in 2025. The stadium’s urban setting presents unique logistical challenges, especially when snow and ice are involved. “We’re trying to fit 20 pounds of stuff in at Bowman Gray into a 5 pound bag,” one official quipped, highlighting the creativity and effort required to prepare the compact facility for a national series race.

Despite the setback, the mood among organizers remains upbeat and determined. “Come hell or high snow, we’re going to be racing,” one staffer declared, capturing the fighting spirit that’s driving the operation. Crews have been working non-stop, even as conditions remain challenging. “Our biggest obstacle right now is we need to get the snow to stop. And we need to get the wind to die down. After that, I’m very confident in our team and our equipment that we can get this place race ready and we can put on a good show for fans on Monday.”

For fans, the delay is understandably disappointing. But officials have asked for patience and grace, noting the historic nature of back-to-back winter storms in the region and the balancing act required to accommodate both local and national audiences. “We are doing everything we can to balance putting on a show for the fans here at Bowman Gray, for the competitors that are nearby that want to get here and start the 2026 season, and for the fans that are tuning in across the country on FOX,” the NASCAR spokesperson said. “It is a balancing act and we’re never going to do it perfect and we’re never going to nail it for everybody. But rest assured that I don’t want fans any more disappointed or frustrated than they have to be.”

As the snow continues to fall and crews press on, one thing’s certain: the 2026 Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium will be remembered as much for the resilience and teamwork behind the scenes as for the racing itself. With clear skies and chilly temperatures forecast for Monday, all eyes will be on Winston-Salem as NASCAR’s best take to the historic short track—just one day later than planned. The action is set, the anticipation is building, and if history is any guide, the wait will only make the racing sweeter when the green flag finally waves.