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NASCAR: The Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium format explained

NASCAR: The Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium format explained

NASCAR: The Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium format explained

NASCAR: The Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium format explained

The 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season kicks off this weekend with the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium.

The non-point scoring event is the traditional curtain raiser of the season and dates all the way back to 1979.

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Introduced and held at Daytona International Speedway for most of its existence, The Clash was initially an event for the Cup Series' pole winners from the previous season. However, since then, the event has evolved, including two changes of location.

In 2022, for example, The Clash was moved to Los Angeles Coliseum, whilst for 2025, it is heading to Bowman Gray Stadium, bringing the Cup Series back to the track for the first time since the 1970s.

The format for the race has now been confirmed, too, all of which we have explained below.

READ MORE: 2025 NASCAR Cup Series at Bowman Gray Stadium: The Clash start times, schedule and TV channels

Denny Hamlin won the 2024 Clash in Los Angeles

Cook Out Clash format explained

First and foremost, the race is set to take place over 200 laps and feature just 23 drivers meaning many entrants will not feature in the main event on Sunday.

In terms of practice, given the circuit is just 0.25 miles long, the entrants will be split into three groups, with each group set to have three practice sessions.

These are important, however, with each driver's fastest lap from their final practice session determining the starting lineup for one of four 25-lap heat races.

These practice groups have been assigned based on owner points and are as follows.

Group 1

Driver Car Number Team Manufacturer
William Byron#24Hendrick MotorsportsChevrolet
Kyle Larson#5Hendrick MotorsportsChevrolet
Alex Bowman#48Hendrick MotorsportsChevrolet
Daniel Suárez#99Trackhouse RacingChevrolet
Ty Gibbs#54Joe Gibbs RacingToyota
Bubba Wallace#2323XI RacingToyota
Carson Hocevar#77Spire MotorsportsChevrolet
Riley Herbst#3523XI RacingToyota
Noah Gragson#4Front Row MotorsportsFord
Ty Dillon#10Kaulig RacingChevrolet
Austin Dillon#3Richard Childress RacingChevrolet
Ryan Preece#60RFK RacingFord
Tim Brown#15Rick Ware RacingFord

Group 2

Driver Car Number Team Manufacturer
Ryan Blaney#12Team PenskeFord
Christopher Bell#20Joe Gibbs RacingToyota
Denny Hamlin#11Joe Gibbs RacingToyota
Austin Cindric#2Team PenskeFord
Shane van Gisbergen#88Trackhouse RacingChevrolet
Chris Buescher#17RFK RacingFord
Kyle Busch#8Richard Childress RacingChevrolet
Todd Gilliland#34Front Row MotorsportsFord
Cole Custer#41Haas Factory TeamFord
Erik Jones#43Legacy Motor ClubToyota
Justin Haley#7Spire MotorsportsChevrolet
John Hunter Nemechek#42Legacy Motor ClubToyota
Burt Myers#50Team AmeriVetChevrolet

Group 3

Driver Car Number Team Manufacturer
Joey Logano#22Team PenskeFord
Tyler Reddick#4523XI RacingToyota
Chase Elliott#9Hendrick MotorsportsChevrolet
Chase Briscoe#19Joe Gibbs RacingToyota
Brad Keselowski#6RFK RacingFord
Josh Berry#21Wood Brothers RacingFord
Ross Chastain#1Trackhouse RacingChevrolet
Zane Smith#38Front Row MotorsportsFord
Ricky Stenhouse Jr.#47Hyak MotorsportsFord
AJ Allmendinger#16Kaulig RacingChevrolet
Michael McDowell#71Spire MotorsportsChevrolet
Cody Ware#51Rick Ware RacingFord
Garrett Smithley#66Garage 66Ford

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Drivers are set to get two chances to qualify for the Cook Out Clash

The order of the heats will be set as per these NASCAR rules: "The fastest driver in final practice will start from pole position in Heat 1; the second-fastest driver will start from the pole in Heat 2; the third-fastest driver will start from the pole in Heat 3, and so on."

Crucially, only green flag laps in these heats will count. The top five drivers in each heat will advance to Sunday night's Cook Out Clash.

Of course, that would still leave three spots remaining for the race, with drivers having one other shot at gaining entry in 'last chance qualifying' on Sunday afternoon. Last chance qualifying consists of a 75-lap race, with only green laps counting, just like the heats. The top two finishers in this race will advance to compete in the main event later that night.

The 23rd and final spot on the Cook Out Clash grid will be awarded to the driver who finished highest in the 2024 driver points standings and who did not already qualify for the main event.

The grid for Sunday's 200-lap main event are set by the results of the heat races, with the winner of heat 1 on pole, the winner of heat 2 starting second, and so on. Just like the qualifying heats and last chance race, only green laps will count and the event must finish under the green flag, too. There will also be a timed break observed after 100 laps.

READ MORE: Wallace issues emotional statement after tough NASCAR season

NASCAR The Clash: Cook Out Clash start times

The 200-lap race kicks off on Sunday, February 2nd, 2025 at 8pm ET. Here are the race start times converted to your time zone:

Eastern Time (ET): 8pm Sunday
Central Time (CT): 7pm Sunday
Pacific Time (PT): 5pm Sunday
United Kingdom (GMT): 1am Monday
Central European Time (CET): 2am Monday

Fox will broadcast the race with radio coverage from MRN and SiriusXM

NASCAR TV SCHEDULE How to watch EVERY Cup Series race in 2025 including for FREE

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