NASCAR returns today with the 2026 Cup Series kickoff at Bowman Gray Stadium, where 37 drivers will compete for just 23 starting positions in the 200-lap Cook Out Clash. Fans eager to watch NASCAR Clash 2026 live can access a full day of on-track activity, including practice, qualifying, and the main event.
Practice and qualifying begin at 1:30 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on the FOX Sports App and FOX One through 3:30 p.m. ET. The top 20 qualifiers immediately secure their spots in tonight’s main race. Drivers who do not make this initial cut still have a chance in the Last Chance Qualifier (LCQ), which starts at 4:30 p.m. ET on FOX. The LCQ is a 75-lap race where the two highest finishers, plus one driver entering via points provisional, will advance to the main field.
Race Day Broadcast and Weather Considerations
The headlining 200-lap Cook Out Clash starts at 6:00 p.m. ET on FOX and is also available for live streaming on the FOX Sports App. Radio listeners can tune in via MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio throughout the event. However, weather could complicate today’s schedule, as forecasts from the National Weather Service predict temperatures in the low 30s with a 30 to 60 percent chance of a rain and snow mix. Some models suggest just a dusting of snow, while others forecast up to three inches, though NASCAR is prepared with wet-weather tires to continue racing under damp conditions. Should coverage shift to FS1, fans will still be able to watch practice and qualifying on the app, according to NASCAR reporter Bob Pockrass.
Significance of Bowman Gray Stadium as the Clash Venue
This marks the fifth year the Clash is hosted outside its traditional Daytona International Speedway location. After three years at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, the event moved to Bowman Gray Stadium last season, renowned for its quarter-mile track dubbed “The Madhouse.” The stadium’s rich history in short-track racing adds to the excitement, and this year local standout Burt Myers, known for his impressive 102 modified wins and 11 track championships there, will attempt to qualify for the Clash main event in the No. 50 Chevrolet after narrowly missing out last year.
Notable Drivers and Team Dynamics to Watch
Corey LaJoie starts his season early by substituting for Brad Keselowski in RFK Racing’s No. 6 Ford, also aiming to qualify the team’s No. 99 for the upcoming Daytona 500 on February 15. Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) remains a dominant force in the Clash, having won two of the last four events on short tracks like Bowman Gray. JGR’s Denny Hamlin, Christopher Bell, Ty Gibbs, and Chase Briscoe—who is filling in for Martin Truex Jr.—are considered strong contenders. Collectively, they led 286 of 651 laps in recent Clash races between Los Angeles and Bowman Gray, making them favorites to win again this year.
What to Expect from Today’s NASCAR Clash Event
With a competitive field and unpredictable weather, today’s NASCAR Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium promises a thrilling start to the 2026 Cup Series. The event’s unique short-track setting and intense qualifying battles will showcase driver skill and adaptability, while fans can engage with the race through multiple viewing and listening platforms. How the weather influences track conditions and race strategies could prove decisive, and many will watch closely to see if local heroes or Joe Gibbs Racing’s top drivers can dominate once more.
Bowman Gray
ETWed
1:30-FOX Sports App/FOX One-Cup p&q
4:30-FOX-LCQ (75)
6-FOX-Clash (200)NWS: 30s, 30-60% chance rain, rain/snow mix
*Do have wet-weather tires to race in damp conditions
*forecasts vary trace-3 inches snow
*If get FS1, should be able to watch p&q on app— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) February 4, 2026
