After multiple weather-related delays, the NASCAR Cup Series is ready to race Wednesday night at the 0.14-mile oval located at Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Kyle Larson earned the pole position by clocking the fastest lap of 14.137 seconds during qualifying, positioning him at the front of the NASCAR Bowman Gray lineup for the event known as The Clash.
Tonight’s race is highly anticipated as drivers prepare to battle for top positions and valuable points after rescheduling disrupted the original schedule. The presence of top competitors like William Byron, Ty Gibbs, and Chase Briscoe adds intensity to the field, with a variety of talent vying for dominance on the tight oval.
Details of the NASCAR Bowman Gray Starting Order and Broadcast Schedule
The qualifying session determined the starting positions for the main event, locking in the top 20 drivers into the lineup. Kyle Larson secured pole position, narrowly edging out William Byron, who qualified second with a time of 14.140 seconds. Ty Gibbs came in third followed by Chase Briscoe in fourth and Christopher Bell fifth. The full qualifying results define how the race field will unfold on the track this evening.
The TV schedule ensures comprehensive coverage for fans eager to witness the action. Practice and qualifying were broadcast earlier in the day at 1:30 p.m. ET on FOX One and the FOX Sports App. The Last Chance Qualifier (LCQ) kicks off at 4:30 p.m. ET on FOX and MRN, and the race itself starts at 6:00 p.m. ET, available across FOX, HBO Max, and MRN. Post-race coverage will be available on NASCAR.com following the conclusion of the Cup Series race.
Complete Starting Lineup Highlighting Key NASCAR Drivers
The top 20 qualifiers locked into the main race are:
- Kyle Larson – 14.137 seconds
- William Byron – 14.140 seconds
- Ty Gibbs – 14.146 seconds
- Chase Briscoe – 14.147 seconds
- Christopher Bell – 14.149 seconds
- Denny Hamlin – 14.151 seconds
- Bubba Wallace – 14.153 seconds
- Chris Buescher – 14.167 seconds
- Ross Chastain – 14.184 seconds
- Tyler Reddick – 14.194 seconds
- Chase Elliott – 14.197 seconds
- Carson Hocevar – 14.204 seconds
- Kyle Busch – 14.209 seconds
- Joey Logano – 14.211 seconds
- Austin Dillon – 14.213 seconds
- Ryan Blaney – 14.215 seconds
- Shane van Gisbergen – 14.231 seconds
- Ryan Preece – 14.234 seconds
- Connor Zilisch – 14.237 seconds
- Daniel Suarez – 14.242 seconds
Alex Bowman, despite not qualifying within the top 20 times, is guaranteed a starting position as the highest-ranked driver in points who missed the cut. His qualifying time was 14.290 seconds, ranking 25th, but he will join the main field based on points standings.
The remainder of qualifiers, who will likely compete in the Last Chance Qualifier to attempt to enter the main race, include drivers like Josh Berry, Michael McDowell, Austin Cindric, Corey LaJoie, and a full roster that extends to 38 competitors, including Burt Myers who posted a 15.024 second qualifying lap.
Anticipation Builds Amid Challenging Conditions and Intense Competition
The atmosphere around Bowman Gray Stadium is charged with urgency and tension given recent schedule disruptions and the close qualifying times separating many contenders. A mere fraction of a second distinguishes several starting positions, highlighting how competitive the field is for this mid-week showdown. This race holds significant weight for drivers attempting to gain momentum in the NASCAR season, making pole position and strong starting placements crucial.
Kyle Larson’s pole-winning lap sets a high bar, but with drivers like William Byron, Ryan Blaney, and Ross Chastain poised close behind, the race promises to be fiercely contested. Fans should expect a dynamic event as racers navigate the tight confines of the Bowman Gray oval, where positioning and split-second decisions often determine the winner.
As the evening progresses, attention will also focus on how drivers who qualified just outside the cut, such as Alex Bowman and Corey LaJoie, perform in the LCQ to secure a spot in tonight’s main event. The evolving race environment and the resilience of these drivers will be critical narratives as the night unfolds at this historic racing venue in Winston-Salem.
