NASCAR has pushed Saturday’s Cook Out Clash activities at Bowman Gray Stadium to Sunday after a winter storm threat forced officials to clear the slate. The move has scrapped Saturday practice, qualifying and heat races and left the main Clash set for Sunday night.
The sanctioning body said it postponed Saturday’s sessions of the non-points exhibition race for the NASCAR Cup Series out of “an abundance of caution,” with forecasts showing snow and bitter temperatures for the Winston Salem area. The format will now change with heat races removed. The top 20 fastest cars from Sunday’s practice will get spots in the main event. The remaining drivers will race for the last positions in the Last Chance Qualifier (LCQ).
NASCAR’s new plan for Sunday includes a practice and qualifying run from 2 pm to 4 pm ET on FS2. The LCQ will follow at 6 pm ET on FOX. Meanwhile, NASCAR Race Day coverage will start at 7:30 pm, and the Cook Out Clash main event will run at 8 pm.
[ADSLOT]
Local short-track events, including the Cook Out Madhouse Classic for the Modified and Sportsman divisions, were taken off the weekend card and will be rescheduled to a new date that has not yet been set. NASCAR has also canceled pre-race fan activities and the Clash Fan Fest across from the track.
However, some argue that poor road conditions and heavy wind gusts could endanger fans heading to and from the venue. Some critics have debated whether the race should happen on Sunday at all.
“NASCAR is Beyond Delusional” – Fans Critical Following Cook Out Clash Announcement
A winter storm warning is in effect for the Bowman Gray Stadium area from late Friday afternoon through early Sunday morning. Weather services expected 4 to 7 inches of heavy snow, with some spots getting more.
Fans erupted online after NASCAR postponed the Cook Out Clash events at Bowman Gray Stadium. Many said icy roads and subfreezing temperatures made travel unsafe.
“NASCAR is beyond delusional if they think anyone is leaving their house after a snow storm when the ice from the last one is still on the roads and the temp is 22 degrees to go watch a exhibition race,” a fan wrote on X.
“Won’t happen. If it does nobody can actually get there,” another stated.
Meanwhile, some fans argued to shift the exhibition race back to its original location in Florida.
“Go back to Daytona. What a 💩show,” a fan shared.
“When is it getting moved to next Saturday in Daytona,” another asked.
The Cook Out Clash does not count for season points or change the standings or the playoff picture, but it is the first race of the season before the first points race, the Daytona 500, on February 15.
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in college football, men’s college basketball, women’s college basketball, and college baseball!
