NASCAR announce exciting news as FIRST race of 2026 Cup Series season confirmed

NASCAR has officially announced the first race of the 2026 Cup Series calendar.

Although the Daytona 500 traditionally kicks off the competitive NASCAR season, The Clash exhibition takes place a week before, with the venue changing semi-frequently in recent years.

The Clash moved from Los Angeles to Bowman Gray Stadium for 2025 and now, NASCAR has confirmed that the series will be back in Winston-Salem for the event once again next season.

The historic quarter-mile oval will host the race on Sunday, February 1, 2026, with 22 drivers set to compete in the 200-lap exhibition.

Ahead of the main event, however, there will be four qualifying heats and a last chance qualifier to set the field, marking an exciting few days of action for fans as the season gets underway.

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NASCAR set for Bowman Gray Stadium return

Speaking in the official statement that confirmed the news, NASCAR regional's managing director, Joey Dennewitz, revealed he was proud to bring the event back to the stadium next year.

“We wrote a new chapter in the storied history of motorsports at Bowman Gray Stadium with the Cook Out Clash this year,” said Dennewitz.

“As NASCAR’s first weekly race track, we are proud to bring the 2026 Cook Out Clash back to the original home to grassroots racing.

"Thanks to the City of Winston-Salem and Winston-Salem State University for their continued partnership at ‘The Madhouse'."

Meanwhile, the City of Winston-Salem Mayor, Allen Joines, said: “The City of Winston-Salem is deeply honored to have been chosen to host the 2026 Cook Out Clash,”

“The 2025 race was an immensely successful event for all parties involved. We will work hard to ensure that the 2026 Cook Out Clash is even more successful.”

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