NASCAR has announced the Cook Out Clash will return to Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, as the opening exhibition event for the 2026 season. FOX Sports will broadcast next year's race as it returns to the historic venue on Saturday, January 31, and Sunday, February 1.

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

Cook Out, one of the fastest-growing family-owned restaurant chains in the nation, will return as the entitlement partner for the 2026 Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium.

Built in 1937, Bowman Gray Stadium, a quarter-mile short track, holds a special place in NASCAR history as the longest-running weekly race track. In 1949, Bill France Sr. and Alvin Hawkins, two founding fathers of NASCAR, introduced motorsports to the facility as the first weekly race track and the first paved race track on which NASCAR events were held. In 2024, NASCAR took over the long-term management of racing operations at Bowman Gray Stadium in partnership with the City of Winston-Salem, North Carolina. 

This year's Cook Out Clash was the first Cup Series race at the historic track since 1971. Chase Elliott, 2020 Cup Series champion, won this year's Cook Out Clash.

For more information and to get on the list to purchase tickets for the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium, visit NASCARClash.com.