What to do with The Clash has been a question that has plagued NASCAR since 2021, when a supply chain shortage forced the exhibition event onto the Daytona Roval.

The answer for the past three years was a quarter-mile oval temporarily built at the Los Angeles Coliseum, but as excitement for the novelty of that ended NASCAR was again left wondering, what to do with The Clash?

If there was one thing The Clash at the Coliseum proved was that NASCAR can still put on an entertaining show at an incredibly small track. So for 2025 their answer to The Clash conundrum is another quarter-mile bull-ring, this time in their own backyard.

Welcome to The Madhouse or Bowman Gray Stadium, whichever one you prefer, a track so unique that describing it in words would do it a disservice. Here’s my 12 word pitch for it: old school architecture, tight corners and a football field for an infield. 

Yet it is known more for its racing related high jinks, wrecks, close finishes, tempers flaring and fights are all too common at Bowman Gray. Seriously, just Google this place’s “highlights” on YouTube and enjoy the best and worst of stock car racing.

 So we know this place is capable of putting on a spectacle, but will that really translate to the NASCAR Cup Series? Here’s a couple things to watch for in this Sunday’s Cook Out Clash.

Preheat to 425 degrees

Unlike the typical Cup series race, the Clash will have three events underneath its umbrella. Once the drivers qualify, they’ll be separated into four heat races that will set the field for the 23-car main event.

While the main event will be where the bragging rights are won, the quality of the heat races will determine whether this Clash will be worth your time. Passes will be few and far between on the narrow, short oval of Bowman Gray and the lack of pit stops makes starting position paramount.

The smaller field and 25-lap length of the heat races should make for a more entertaining, tighter packed field with every driver chasing a top five spot to advance into the main event. This should be where the most high-quality racing lies and set the tone for the Last Chance Qualifier and Clash itself. 

The heat races start after practice and qualifying at 5:30 p.m. PST on Saturday, Feb. 1.

  Million Dollar Machines in The Madhouse

As we’ve already established, what makes Bowman Gray iconic is the result of tempers flaring and drivers making mistakes. Quite common in NASCAR Weekly Series events, but I have doubts that energy will translate to the Cup Series drivers.

While all drivers want to win, there’s something to be said for making enemies and ruining good equipment in what is ultimately an exhibition race. That’s not to mention how poor NASCAR’s current short track package is at similar tracks like Martinsville. 

The classic bump and run maneuver is all but dead in the sport’s current form, so if you can’t easily move people to pass and you don’t want to wreck your equipment that leaves the drivers in a precarious position and likely to put on a snoozefest.  

That’s not to say it can’t happen, but it’s a very fine line to walk. The LCQ at last year’s Clash turned into an embarrassing wreckfest because drivers kept spinning out for 12th, slowing down the pace of an event that doesn’t count caution laps.

If the drivers can walk that fine line, there is potential for an all-time classic race, but from the outside looking in, I have plenty of doubts about it.

Race Predictions:

Jack Freeman: For the entire Clash at the Coliseum era, Joe Gibbs Racing has dominated the event, winning two of three and finishing second in 2022. Due to how similar this race will be to those former races, I don’t see their streak of dominance ending in 2025. 

Give me Christopher Bell to start off the new year on the right foot and take home the Cook Out Clash trophy. 

Cam Hanson:  Jack makes a great point about JGR’s recent Clash dominance, and with the track layout not changing much from LA, the package will largely be the same. The difference here for me is the implication of Bowman Gray, where we have gone from the allure of impressing a new market to a proven market known for thrown fenders & fists. 

Things won’t remain cordial for long on Sunday, and who else is better in those situations than Ross Chastain. I have the Melon Man taking it home and kicking off Trackhouse & Chevy’s 2025 right.