Kyle Larson Dominates Bowman Gray Qualifying to Secure Cook Out Clash Pole Position, Twenty Drivers Secure Direct Entry into Feature Race

Bowman Gray Stadium, NC – The Cook Out Clash kicked off with a flurry of activity as NASCAR Cup Series drivers battled for a coveted spot in the prestigious pre-season exhibition race. After initial practice sessions were briefly interrupted by melting snow necessitating track cleanups, qualifying commenced, ultimately seeing reigning champion Kyle Larson stake his claim to the pole position. The unique qualifying format at Bowman Gray Stadium dictates that the 20 fastest drivers will advance directly to the main event, while those finishing 21st through 38th will compete in a Last Chance Qualifier (LCQ), with only the top two from that race earning a berth in Wednesday evening’s feature.

The qualifying session was strategically divided into three distinct groups, determined by owner points from the previous season. This ensured a competitive spread across the field, with teams aiming to establish early momentum.

In the inaugural qualifying group, Ryan Preece set an early benchmark with a swift lap of 14.234 seconds around the notoriously tight quarter-mile oval. Preece, who secured his qualifying spot through owner points transfer with Rick Ware Racing’s No. 51 entry, is set to begin the 2026 season with 36th place owner points. This strategic move underscores the importance of every point and transfer opportunity in the modern NASCAR landscape.

Following Preece, 19-year-old phenom Connor Zilisch, fresh off a remarkable second-place overall finish at the Rolex 24 at Daytona and the sole full-time rookie in the Cup Series this year, demonstrated his prowess by coming within a mere 0.003 seconds of Preece’s leading time in the subsequent group. Despite Zilisch’s impressive run, Preece’s initial lap remained the fastest in the first round of qualifying.

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The competitive landscape shifted significantly in the second round of qualifying. As the session progressed, Ryan Preece’s early best lap was surpassed, with Ty Gibbs emerging as the new frontrunner. Gibbs posted a blistering 14.145-second lap, eclipsing Preece’s time and taking provisional pole. Within this same group, Chris Buescher registered the fastest lap for Group B, but Gibbs maintained a commanding lead of over two-hundredths of a second.

The final round of qualifying, featuring the top contenders based on the 2025 championship standings, promised intense competition. However, Ty Gibbs’s impressive lap held firm against the initial wave of drivers. It wasn’t until the very last group that the top spot was challenged. Bubba Wallace made a significant move, climbing to second place with a lap of 14.152 seconds, demonstrating the competitive nature of the field.

Ultimately, the reigning NASCAR Cup Series champion, Kyle Larson, driving for Hendrick Motorsports, delivered a masterful performance in the final qualifying group to snatch the pole position. Larson’s Chevrolet laid down a blistering 14.137-second lap, a performance that underscored his status as a dominant force in the sport. Close behind him, teammate William Byron secured the second spot on the front row with a lap of 14.140 seconds, signaling a strong start for the Hendrick Motorsports contingent.

Following Larson and Byron, Ty Gibbs will start the Cook Out Clash from third place, with Chase Briscoe fourth and Christopher Bell rounding out the top five. The remainder of the top ten drivers, who secured direct entry into the main event, include Denny Hamlin, Bubba Wallace, Chris Buescher, Ross Chastain, and Tyler Reddick.

Defending Clash winner Chase Elliott will begin his quest for a repeat victory from 11th position. He will be joined in the main event by Carson Hocevar, Kyle Busch, Joey Logano, Austin Dillon, Ryan Blaney, Shane van Gisbergen, and Ryan Preece, who secured the final automatic transfer spot in 18th position.

The last two drivers to lock themselves into the main event were Connor Zilisch and Daniel Suarez, qualifying in 19th and 20th positions, respectively. This means that the top 20 drivers, including notable names like Larson, Byron, Gibbs, Bell, Hamlin, Wallace, Chastain, Reddick, Elliott, Kyle Busch, Logano, Blaney, and Preece, have successfully navigated the qualifying gauntlet and avoided the pressure of the Last Chance Qualifier.

For drivers who narrowly missed direct qualification, the focus now shifts to the LCQ. Josh Berry and Michael McDowell will lead the field to the green flag in the LCQ, having narrowly missed the top 20 cutoff. They will be followed by Austin Cindric, Corey LaJoie, and Alex Bowman in the starting order. The rest of the LCQ field includes Riley Herbst, Cody Ware, AJ Allmendinger, Cole Custer, John-Hunter Nemechek, Todd Gilliland, Ty Dillon, Noah Gragson, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Zane Smith, Erik Jones, Chad Finchum, and local Bowman Gray legend Burt Myers.

The dynamic of the Cook Out Clash qualifying at Bowman Gray Stadium consistently provides drama and unexpected results. The unique short-track nature of the venue amplifies the importance of qualifying position, as passing opportunities can be limited. Kyle Larson’s pole-winning performance sets a high bar for the competition, and the battle for the remaining spots in the LCQ promises an exciting prelude to the main event. The inclusion of seasoned Cup Series regulars alongside emerging talents and local favorites creates a compelling narrative for the start of the NASCAR season. The performances in qualifying not only determine starting positions but also offer crucial insights into team and driver readiness for the upcoming 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season.

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