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Bowman Gray Stadium Will Host NASCAR’s The Clash

Jacob Gauthier

January 20, 2025

Get ready, Winston-Salem! On February 1-2, Bowman Gray Stadium will host NASCAR’s The Clash for the very first time.

As the season opener for the NASCAR Cup Series, The Clash has been a NASCAR staple since it began in 1979. This year’s event marks the return of NASCAR Cup Series racing to Winston-Salem for the first time since 1971!

January 20, 2025

Bowman Gray Stadium Will Host NASCAR’s The Clash — Photo courtesy of Visit Winston-Salem

What is The Clash?

The Clash refers to both the weekend-long event (February 1-2) and the headline race on Sunday. While tickets for the main race have sold out, you can still purchase tickets for Saturday’s events.

Saturday’s events include:

12 PM – Madhouse Classic Qualifying
1:45 PM – Madhouse Classic Race
4 PM – Driver Q&As
6:10 PM – NASCAR Cup Series Clash Practice & Qualifying

Sunday’s events include:

4:30 PM – Driver Q&A
6 PM – NASCAR Clash Last Chance Qualifier
8 PM – The Clash

Don’t have tickets? Head to The Nash Museum & Event Center from January 30 to February 2 for watch parties, self-guided tours of its NASCAR memorabilia, and a NASCAR Cars and Coffee event!

Bowman Gray Stadium: A NASCAR Icon

Bowman Gray Stadium holds a special place in NASCAR history as the sport’s very first and longest-running weekly track. Built in 1937 as a public works project, the stadium originally functioned as a football field. In 1947, a paved track was added, and in 1949, the stadium hosted its first NASCAR race. (Visit Winston-Salem)

Stats: NASCAR has held 29 Cup Series events at Bowman Gray Stadium.
Driving the News: NASCAR took over as the manager of the stadium’s racing operations in 2024 under a lease agreement with the City of Winston-Salem that runs through 2050.

Why It Matters

The Clash will bring an estimated 15,000 fans to Winston-Salem, delivering a major economic boost to the city and showcasing Winston-Salem to millions of NASCAR enthusiasts worldwide.

Legends: Tim Brown, the all-time winningest driver at Bowman Gray Stadium, will compete in the NASCAR Clash on February 2. Brown will drive the No. 15 Ford Mustang for Rick Ware Racing.