How does the NASCAR Clash work? Race format and schedule for 2026 Cup Series exhibition opener at Bowman Gray Stadium

NASCAR Cup Series 4 mins to read

Chase Elliott led 171 of 200 laps in rolling to a victory in the Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium on Sunday, kicking off the season in the NASCAR Cup Series.

CONCORD, N.C. – Just a few days separate race fans from a return to the track for the NASCAR Cup Series.

We can almost hear the engines now.

And not just because of Hendrick Motorsports’ relative proximity

to Bowman Gray Stadium, nestled in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

For the second straight year, the Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium will kick off the NASCAR Schedule with the event set for Sunday night. Chase Elliott rolled to victory in the exhibition race in 2025, giving Hendrick Motorsports its eighth all-time win in the event and its first since Jimmie Johnson won at Daytona International Speedway in 2019.

Chase Elliott led 171 of 200 laps while rolling to a victory in the Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium in 2025.

Since 1979, the Clash has served as a preseason exhibition of sorts and was run during Speedweeks at Daytona International Speedway from its inception through 2021. Then came a three-year stint at the LA Coliseum before the move to Bowman Gray last season.

Over the years have come a bevy of format overhauls, so many, in fact, it can be quite confusing to keep up with. And even though NASCAR has made no major changes from last year’s Clash

, we figure a brush up couldn’t hurt, right?

So, here’s a look at how this year’s format shakes out:

First time inside the new athletic center and… WOW 😮🔥 Play videoof: First time inside the new athletic center and… WOW 😮🔥 Jan 24, 2026 Practice and qualifying: On Saturday at 6:10 p.m., practice and qualifying will get underway for Sunday’s main event. The field will be split into three groups, and each will run three practice sessions each. The fastest individual lap time from each driver’s final practice will serve as a qualifying time, setting the field for four heat races later in the evening. The driver with the single-fastest time in the final practice sessions will sit on the pole in Heat 1, the driver with the second-best time will be on the pole in Heat 2 and so on and so forth.

Heat races: Saturday night’s heat races are slated for an 8:30 p.m. start. Each will be comprised of 25 laps with only green-flag laps counting and each will contain 10 drivers with the top five finishers advancing into Sunday’s race. The winner of the Heat 1 will start on the pole on Sunday, the winner of Heat 2 will start second, etc. The 20 drivers not to advance through the heats on Saturday will be entered into a last chance qualifier. Last chance qualifying race: Drivers’ final opportunity to earn entry into the 23-car field will come at 6 p.m. on Sunday evening via last chance qualifier. The remaining 20 competitors will battle it out over 75 laps with the top two finishers earning 21st and 22nd starting spots in the Clash. Like Saturday’s heat races, only green flag laps will count. The 23rd and final starting spot will be awarded to the driver who finished highest in the 2025 points standings who did not otherwise lock into the race. The Clash: Scheduled for a total of 200 laps, the Clash will feature a competition caution after lap 100. Only green flag circuits will count.

Ken Schrader poses with a trophy and car after winning the Clash. Ken Schrader won back-to-back Clashes in 1989 and 1990, the first two wins in the exhibition event for Hendrick Motorsports. Where is Bowman Gray Stadium?

Bowman Gray Stadium is located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

How big is Bowman Gray Stadium?

Bowman Gray is a 0.25-mile short track.

NASCAR Clash 2026 schedule

Saturday, Jan. 31

6:10 p.m.: Clash practice, qualifying8:30: Heat races

Sunday, Feb. 1

6 p.m.: Last chance qualifier8: The Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium
NASCAR Cup Series

{“inject_traceparent_enabled”:false,”debug_trace_headers_enabled”:false,”dev_tools_enabled”:false}

How does the NASCAR Clash work? Race format and schedule for 2026 Cup Series exhibition opener at Bowman Gray Stadium

Tags: