Breaking: Weather Wrecks Schedule at Bowman Gray: Saturday Events Postponed
Winter weather has forced a major shake‑up at the Madhouse. NASCAR officials announced Thursday that all Saturday on‑track activity for the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium has been postponed. With a winter system expected to move through the area, the sanctioning body opted to adjust the schedule rather than risk unsafe conditions for teams and fans.
The news hits hard for those who planned to pack the historic stadium on Jan. 31. The postponement wipes out NASCAR Cup Series practice, qualifying, and the much‑anticipated heat races. The Cook Out Madhouse Classic, featuring Modified and Sportsman competitors, is also on hold, with a rescheduled date still to come.
Even with Saturday’s slate wiped clean, fans won’t be completely without action. NASCAR confirmed that the Clash Preview at the Winston‑Salem Fairgrounds Event Center will proceed as planned on Friday, Jan. 30. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., fans will have rare access to Cup Series cars, drivers, and live entertainment before the competitive portion of the weekend begins.
Updated Sunday Schedule
Despite the disruption, the main event remains intact. The Cook Out Clash will still headline Sunday, Feb. 1, with a revised schedule designed to pack everything into one long, high‑intensity day.
Practice and qualifying will run from 2 to 4 p.m. ET on FS2, followed by the Last Chance Qualifier at 6 p.m. on FOX. NASCAR Race Day airs at 7:30 p.m., leading into the Cook Out Clash at 8 p.m., both on FOX.
The compressed format leaves little breathing room for teams. Practice flows straight into qualifying, and the main event follows soon after. On a quarter‑mile track known for tight confines and short tempers, the margin for error shrinks even further.
What This Means for Fans
Losing Saturday’s action is a disappointment for anyone holding tickets, but safety concerns take priority. The Clash Fan Fest near the stadium will remain closed this weekend due to weather threats.NASCAR continues to coordinate with local officials as the storm approaches.
The goal is simple: ensure that when the green flag waves on Sunday, the focus is on the racing the elbows‑out, bumper‑to‑bumper brand of chaos that Bowman Gray delivers better than anywhere else.
