Statistical Advance: Analyzing the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium

Below is a statistical look at this weekend’s exhibition event the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium on February 1, 2026 in Winston Salem, North Carolina.

This year marks the 48th running of the Clash and the second-time in NASCAR Cup Series history the traditional exhibition-style event will tackle the historic Bowman Gray Stadium. Sunday’s event will be broadcast live on FOX, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio starting at 6 p.m. ET.

In 2026, the field is open to 40 entrants to participate in earning a spot in the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium, but only 23 drivers will compete in the feature event; currently 38 cars are entered.

This Season’s Format Rundown:

How to make the 2026 Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium.

• Heat Race Starting Lineup – The field will be spilt into (3) practice groups, with each group receiving (3) sessions. Each competitor’s fastest lap time from their final practice session will determine the starting lineup for the heat races. The fastest qualifier will be on the pole for Heat 1; second-fastest will be on the pole for Heat 2; third-fastest qualifier will be on the pole for Heat 3; fourth-fastest will be on the pole for Heat 4; etc.
• Heat Races – There will be four heat races of 25 laps each with only green flag laps counted – no overtime in play. The top five from each heat race will advance through to The Clash.
• Last Chance Qualifier – Cars that do not transfer to The Clash will compete in the Last Chance Qualifier Race (LCQ) with their starting position determined by where they finished in their respective heat races. The LCQ race is 75 laps with only green flag laps counted – no overtime in play. The top two finishers in the LCQ race will transfer to The Clash.
• The Cook Out Clash Feature – The main event will feature 23 drivers competing for 200 laps with only green lag laps counted – the race must end under green. A timed break will be observed at the halfway point of the race (Lap 100).
• Lineup: The first 22 starting spots for The Clash is set through finishing positions in the heat races and the Last Chance Qualifier race. The 23^rd and final starting spot is reserved for the driver who finished the highest in the 2025 season driver points standings who did not already transfer into The Clash.

The Cook Out Clash – Stats & Tidbits

HISTORY

• The first Cook Out Clash was held on February 11, 1979 at Daytona International Speedway, and the event was won by NASCAR Hall of Famer Buddy Baker (race average speed: 194.384 mph).
• This weekend’s event will be the 48th running of the Cook Out Clash and this season’s event will be the second-time it is held at the historic Bowman Gray Stadium (2025-2026).
• Bowman Gray Stadium is the fourth different venue to host the annual non-points NASCAR Cup Series exhibition event; joining Daytona International Speedway (1979 – 2020), the Daytona International Speedway Road Course (2021) and the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum (2022-2024).
• The number of participants in The Clash exhibition event has ranged from as low as seven drivers in 1981 to as high as 28 in 2009.
• This season 40 drivers are eligible to enter the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium, but only 23 drivers will start the Main Feature and compete for the win.
• In 2023 and 2024, 36 drivers entered the Clash at the Coliseum, and in 2025 a total of 39 drivers entered the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray.
• The 2026 season marks the fifth time (2022-2026) the exhibition Clash event has used a format that included Heat Races and Last Chance Qualifier Races.

STARTS

• In total, 139 different NASCAR Cup Series drivers have competed in the Clash; 105 of the 139 drivers have participated in more than one Clash event.
• NASCAR Hall of Famer Mark Martin leads the NASCAR Cup Series in Clash event appearances at 24.
• The top 10 drivers (all-time) with the most Clash event appearances: Mark Martin (24), Bill Elliott (23), Jeff Gordon (22), Denny Hamlin (20), Ken Schrader (19), Kevin Harvick (19), Rusty Wallace (19), Kyle Busch (19) Jimmie Johnson (18), Kurt Busch (18), and Terry Labonte (18).
• Joe Gibbs Racing’s Denny Hamlin leads all active drivers in career Clash event starts with 20 appearances.
• NASCAR Hall of Famer Jeff Gordon has appeared in the most consecutive Clash races, competing in 22 consecutive events from 1994-2015.
• Denny Hamlin leads all active drivers in consecutive Clash starts with 20 appearances from 2006-2025.
• The top 10 (active) drivers with the most Clash event appearances: Denny Hamlin (20), Kyle Busch (19), Joey Logano (17), Brad Keselowski (11), Kyle Larson (10), Austin Dillon (9), Chase Elliott (9), Ryan Blaney (8), Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (7), Alex Bowman (7) and Erik Jones (6).

WINS

• A total of 26 different NASCAR Cup Series drivers have won the exhibition-style Clash event (1979-2025).
• NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt leads the NASCAR Cup Series in Clash wins with six victories (1980, 1986, 1988, 1991, 1993, 1995) – all on Daytona International Speedway’s oval.
• Denny Hamlin leads all active drivers in the Clash wins with four victories – three at Daytona International Speedway’s oval (2006, 2014, 2016) and one at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum (2024).
• There have been 12 drivers with multiple wins in The Clash; five drivers have won it three or more times:
  • Dale Earnhardt won six events, most all-time (1980, 1986, 1988, 1991, 1993, 1995).
  • Denny Hamlin won four events – 2006, 2014, 2016 and 2024.
  • Dale Jarrett won in 1996, 2000 and 2004.
  • Kevin Harvick won in 2009, 2010 and 2013.
  • Tony Stewart won in 2001, 2002 and 2007.

• Other drivers with multiple Clash wins are Neil Bonnett (1983-1984), Ken Schrader, (1989-1990), Jeff Gordon (1994, 1997), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (2003, 2008), Jimmie Johnson (2005, 2019), Kyle Busch (2012, 2021) and Joey Logano (2017, 2022).
• Four drivers have won consecutive Clash races from 1979-2024: Kevin Harvick (2009-10), Tony Stewart (2000-01), Ken Schrader (1990-91) and Neil Bonnett (1983-84).
• No driver has won three consecutive Clash events (1979-2025).

• Five drivers have won the Clash in their first appearance in the event – Buddy Baker (1979), Dale Earnhardt (1980), Jeff Gordon (1994), Dale Jarrett (1996) and Denny Hamlin (2006).
• Five times the Clash winner has gone on to win the DAYTONA 500 pole: Buddy Baker (1979), Bill Elliott (1987), Ken Schrader (1989, 1990) and Dale Jarrett (2000).
• Six times in the 47-year history of the exhibition-style Clash event has the winner of the Clash gone on to win the DAYTONA 500: Bobby Allison (1982), Bill Elliott (1987), Dale Jarrett (1996 and 2000), Jeff Gordon (1997) and Denny Hamlin (2016).
• Two drivers have swept the Clash, the DAYTONA 500 pole, and the DAYTONA 500 from 1979-2025: Dale Jarrett (2000) and Bill Elliott (1987).
• One driver has swept the Clash, the DAYTONA 500, and the Coke Zero Sugar 400 (Summer Daytona race) from 1979-2025: Bobby Allison (1982).
• Five drivers have won the Clash (1979-2025) and the NASCAR Cup Series Championship in the same season: Dale Earnhardt – the only driver to have accomplished the feat multiple times (1980, 1986, 1991, 1993); Darrell Waltrip (1981); Jeff Gordon (1997); Tony Stewart (2002); Joey Logano (2022).
• The Clash event is riding a streak of eight different driver winners (2018-2025).
• The largest span of seasons between a driver’s two most-recent Clash wins is 14 seasons by Jimmie Johnson (2005, 2019).
• The largest span of seasons between a driver’s first and last Clash wins is 18 seasons by Denny Hamlin (2006, 2014, 2016, 2024).
• Youngest Clash Winner: Jeff Gordon (February 13, 1994) – 22 years, 6 months, 9 days.
• Oldest Clash Winner: Dale Jarrett (February 7, 2004) – 47 years, 2 months, 12 days.
• A total of 18 different starting positions on the grid for the Clash have led to victories in the event (1979-2024).

Clash Event Wins By Starting Position

• Six of the previous 47 Clash events (12.7%) have been won from the pole or first starting position – Darrell Waltrip (1981), Bill Elliott (1987), Ken Schrader (1989), Denny Hamlin (2016 and 2024), Chase Elliott (2025).
• The most proficient starting positions in the field are the first and 15th starting positions producing the most wins of any of the starting positions on the grid with six victories each.
• Since moving the Clash to a short tracks in 2022 with Heat Races and Last Chance Qualifiers to set the starting lineups, the winner of the Clash hasn’t started worse than fourth in the Main Feature – 2022 (fourth), 2023 (second), 2024 (first) and 2025 (first).
• Interestingly, 23% of the Clash winners have started on the front row and 51% of the winners in the Clash have started the event from outside the top-10.
• The deepest in the field a Clash race winner has started the event, is the 27th starting position by Kevin Harvick in 2009 at Daytona International Speedway.

Organizational Clash Wins

• A total of 15 different organizations have won the exhibition-style Clash event in the NASCAR Cup Series from 1979-2025.
• Joe Gibbs Racing leads the NASCAR Cup Series in Clash victories with 12 wins (2001, 2002, 2006, 2007, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2020, 2021, 2023, 2024) – all within the last 24 years.
• Joe Gibbs Racing has won the last two of the last three Clash events (2023-2024).
• Joe Gibbs Racing (eight) and Team Penske (four) have combined to win the Clash 12 of the last 15 years; Hendrick Motorsports and Richard Childress Racing have won the other three during that time span.

Organizational Clash Wins

• The top five organizations in Clash victories have combined to win 36 of the 47 events for a total of 76.5%.
• The largest span of seasons between an organization’s two most-recent Clash wins is 6 seasons by Hendrick Motorsports (2019, 2025).
• The largest span of seasons between an organization’s first and last Clash wins is 36 seasons by Hendrick Motorsports (1989, 2025).
• Among active organizations, RFK Racing is currently riding the longest winless streak since its last Clash win in 1999 (26 years).
• Only twice has a team swept the top-two finishing positions in the Clash: Hendrick Motorsports in 1990 and Team Penske in 2018

Manufacturer Clash Wins

• Seven different manufactures have won a Clash exhibition race in the NASCAR Cup Series from 1979-2025.
• Chevrolet leads all seven manufacturers in Clash wins with 23 victories; followed by Ford (10), Toyota (eight), Buick (two), Oldsmobile (two), Dodge (one) and Pontiac (one).
• Chevrolet won the Clash only three times in the last 15 years after winning six straight between 2005 and 2010 (the series-most consecutive Clash wins by an OEM).

Manufacturers Clash Wins (All-Time)

ADDITIONAL FINISHING POSITIONS

Runner-Up Finishes:

• In total, 33 different drivers have finished runner-up (second) in the annual NASCAR Cup Series Clash exhibition events (1979-2025)
• Darrell Waltrip (1979, 1983, 1985), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (2002, 2004, 2006) and Kyle Busch (2017, 2022, 2024) lead the NASCAR Cup Series in runner-up finishes in the Clash with three each.
• Six active drivers have finished runner-up in the Clash: Kyle Busch (2017, 2022, 2024), Austin Dillon (2020, 2023), Joey Logano (2016, 2018), Brad Keselowski (2014), Chase Elliott (2021), Ryan Blaney (2025).
• Two drivers (all-time) have finished runner-up in consecutive seasons in the NASCAR Cup Series exhibition Clash event – Davey Allison (finished second in 1988 and 1989) and Sterling Marlin (finished second in 1995 and 1996).

Top Five Finishes:

• In total, 70 different drivers have finished inside the top-five in the NASCAR Cup Series’ Clash exhibition race.
• NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt leads the NASCAR Cup Series in top-five finishes in the Clash with 11 top fives; including five-straight from 1993-1997.
• Top five in top-five finishes in the Clash (all-time): Dale Earnhardt (11), Jeff Gordon (10), Tony Stewart (10), Joey Logano (10), Bill Elliott (9).
• Joey Logano leads all active drivers in Clash top fives with 10 top-five finishes.

Average Finishing Position:

• NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt leads the NASCAR Cup Series in average finishing position in the Clash exhibition races with a 2.75 in 12 starts.
• Top five in average finishing position in the Clash (all-time): Dale Earnhardt (2.75), Neil Bonnett (3.00), Davey Allison (3.40), Sterling Marlin (4.33), Cale Yarborough (5.13).
• Austin Dillon leads all active drivers with average finishing position in the Clash with a 7.333 in 11 starts.

* Must have made more than one Clash start to be included in the above chart.

LAP LEADERS

• A total of 67 different NASCAR Cup Series drivers have led at least one lap in the Clash (1979-2025).
• Denny Hamlin leads the NASCAR Cup Series in laps led in the Clash exhibition races with 287 laps led of his 1,615 laps completed (17.8%) in his 20 starts.

Top 15 in Laps Led in the Clash (All-Time)

• The most laps led in the Clash by the race winner was 171 of the scheduled 200 laps (85.5%) by Chase Elliott on February 2, 2025 – he started from the pole position.
• The most laps led in the Clash by a driver that did not win was 84 of the scheduled 151 laps (55.6%) by Ty Gibbs on February 6, 2022 – he started third and finished 18th.
• The fewest laps led in the Clash by the race winner was one lap led (the final lap) and it has happened nine different times: Kyle Busch (2021), Erik Jones (2020), Kevin Harvick (2009), Dale Jarrett (2004, 2000), Rusty Wallace (1998), Neil Bonnett (1984, 1983), Dale Earnhardt (1980).
• The largest number of lead changes in a Clash event is 28 lead changes from the February 12, 2011 race; the event was won by Kurt Busch at Daytona International Speedway.
• The fewest number of lead changes in a Clash event is two lead changes and it has occurred six times: 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1990.
• The most lap leaders in a Clash event is 14 from the February 7, 2009 race; the event was won by Kevin Harvick.
• The fewest lap leaders in a Clash event are two and it has occurred nine times: 1979, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991.

By The Numbers: The Clash

.013 – Closest Margin of Victory in seconds by Kyle Busch over Tony Stewart in 2012, the closest margin of victory in the Clash.

.058 – The second closest Margin of Victory in seconds in the Clash by Kurt Busch over Jamie McMurray in 2011.

.080 – The third closest Margin of Victory in seconds in the Clash by Dale Earnhardt over Sterling Marlin in 1995.

1 – Fewest laps led by a winner, one and it has occurred nine times – Rusty Wallace (1998), Neil Bonnett (1983-84), Dale Earnhardt (1980), Dale Jarrett (2000 and 2004), Kevin Harvick (2009) and Erik Jones (2020) – all at Daytona International Speedway – Kyle Busch (2021) at Daytona International Speedway Road Course.

2.75 – Best average finish in The Clash – Dale Earnhardt holds the best average finish of any driver with multiple starts.

4 – Number of different venues the Clash event has been previously held at – Daytona International Speedway, Daytona International Speedway Road Course, the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and Bowman Gray Stadium.

4 – Most Clash wins by an active driver – Denny Hamlin (2006, 2014, 2016 and 2024).

4 – Number of drivers to win the Clash from the pole or first starting position – Darrell Waltrip (1981), Bill Elliott (1987), Ken Schrader (1989) and Denny Hamlin (2014 and 2024).

5 – Number of drivers who have won the Clash event in their first appearance – Buddy Baker, 1979; Dale Earnhardt, 1980; Jeff Gordon, 1994; Dale Jarrett, 1996; Denny Hamlin, 2006.

6 – Most Clash wins all-time by a driver – Dale Earnhardt, the series leader (1980, ‘86, ‘88, ‘91, ‘93, ‘95).

7 – All-time fewest starters in the field for the Clash (1981).

12 – Most number of starts before winning the event – Martin Truex Jr (2023).

14 – Highest number of different leaders in a Clash event (2009, Daytona International Speedway).

19 – Most consecutive starts in the Clash by an active driver – Denny Hamlin (2006-2024).

22 – Highest number of wins by a manufacturer in the Clash – Chevrolet.

22 – Most consecutive starts in the Clash by a driver – Jeff Gordon (1994-2015).

27 – Kevin Harvick’s starting position in 2009, the lowest by a race winner in the event’s history.

28 – Number of lead changes in the 2011 Clash event, highest number since race began in 1979.

84 – Most laps led by a driver that did not win the Clash event – Ty Gibbs in 2024 at the LA Memorial Coliseum.

171 – Most laps led by the winner of a Clash event – Chase Elliott in 2025 at Bowman Gray.

197.802 mph – The fastest average speed of the race for the Clash – in 1987 at Daytona International Speedway and won by NASCAR Hall of Famer Bill Elliott.

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