Cup Series Stars Lend a Hand in Bowman Gray Snow Cleanup, Postponing Clash

WINSTON-SALEM, NC – Historic snowfall blanketing North Carolina has forced a multi-day postponement of the pre-season exhibition ‘Cook Out Clash’ at Bowman Gray Stadium, with NASCAR Cup Series drivers Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Todd Gilliland joining the cleanup efforts to ensure the historic quarter-mile track can host fans as soon as weather permits.

The much-anticipated event, originally scheduled to commence earlier this week, has been significantly delayed due to a rare and substantial winter storm that impacted the region. While the racing surface of Bowman Gray Stadium has been cleared, crews continue to tackle accumulated snow and ice in the grandstands and surrounding concourse areas. Temperatures are now finally hovering above freezing during daylight hours, providing a window for recovery operations.

Ricky Stenhouse Jr., the 2014 Daytona 500 champion driving the No. 47 Hyak Motorsports Chevrolet, made good on his stated intention to assist with the snow removal. He was observed on Monday with shovel in hand, working alongside track personnel and volunteers to clear the spectator seating areas. Todd Gilliland, a second-generation racer piloting the No. 34 Front Row Motorsports Ford, also traveled to Winston-Salem to contribute. Gilliland explained in interviews conducted at the venue that Stenhouse had reached out, and he was subsequently "drafted" into joining the cleanup effort.

Bowman Gray Stadium, affectionately known as the "Madhouse," boasts a seating capacity of up to 17,000 spectators. The vast majority of the venue is encircled by multiple tiers of grandstands, with the exception of Turns 3 and 4, where the facility’s fieldhouse building is situated. The decision to postpone the Clash rather than proceed with a reduced or absent fan presence underscores the organizers’ commitment to the spectator experience.

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Justin Swilling, NASCAR’s project manager for The Clash, emphasized this point during a recent video teleconference. "We explored all scenarios, but at the end of the day, we’re here for the fans and we want to make sure they are a critical piece," Swilling stated. "Anytime that anyone comes to the Madhouse for an event, it’s the fans as much as the competitors that make it a show. So, we explored all scenarios, but at the end of the day, we wanted to give ourselves plenty of time and wanted to give the community plenty of time as well to get over the most recent storms we had."

The postponement highlights the delicate balance race organizers must strike when scheduling events, particularly in regions susceptible to unpredictable weather patterns. The ability to run the event is directly tied to the accessibility and safety of the venue for a significant fan base.

Both Stenhouse and Gilliland have prior experience at Bowman Gray Stadium. In the 2023 edition of the Clash, Gilliland successfully transferred to the main event, securing the fifth and final transfer spot from his heat race. He went on to finish 14th in the 200-lap feature race after starting in 20th position.

Stenhouse’s 2024 appearance at Bowman Gray was marked by a more contentious outing. During his heat race, a on-track incident with local favorite Burt Myers resulted in Myers impacting the wall. Stenhouse subsequently failed to qualify for the main event, finishing seventh in the last-chance qualifier, where only the top two advanced. This outcome led to him being perceived as an antagonist by a portion of the Bowman Gray faithful. In a display of sportsmanship and good-natured rivalry ahead of the upcoming 2026 race, Stenhouse and Myers have since collaborated on promotional content, including a video that has garnered attention on social media platforms.

The rescheduling of the Cook Out Clash to Wednesday, weather permitting, signals a return to normalcy for the venerable short track. The efforts of Cup Series drivers like Stenhouse and Gilliland, who have voluntarily contributed their time and labor to assist in the recovery, underscore a broader sense of community and camaraderie within the NASCAR ecosystem, extending beyond the confines of the Cup Series garage. Their participation in the snow removal efforts serves as a tangible demonstration of their commitment to the sport and its grassroots foundations.

The impact of severe weather on sporting events is a recurring theme. In recent years, various motorsports disciplines have faced similar disruptions, from hurricanes impacting events in Florida to unexpected snowfalls affecting races in northern climates. The industry’s response, often involving flexibility in scheduling and community-based recovery efforts, remains a critical factor in maintaining the integrity and appeal of the sport. Bowman Gray Stadium, with its rich history and dedicated fanbase, represents a significant fixture in the NASCAR landscape, and the collective effort to ensure its readiness for the Cook Out Clash underscores its importance. The ongoing preparations reflect a broader narrative of resilience in the face of adversity, with the racing community uniting to overcome challenges and deliver memorable events for fans.