On February 4, Josh Berry drove the No. 21 Ford to a commanding win in the Cook Out Clash last chance qualifier at Bowman Gray Stadium, earning the 21st starting position for the 200-lap main event. Berry’s victory was decisive, finishing nearly seven and a half seconds ahead of the competition.
The battle for the other advancing spot came down to a tense final corner, where Austin Cindric, substituting for Brad Keselowski, edged out Corey LaJoie. Despite a desperate last push from AJ Allmendinger, Cindric held on to claim the 22nd starting position in the main event.
Alex Bowman, already locked in due to being the highest points scorer from last season who hadn’t qualified in the top 20 earlier, began the LCQ but pulled off the track late, ending in 17th place. He will start last in the main race scheduled later that night.
Race Highlights and Key Moments from the Cook Out Clash
Kyle Larson captured the pole position for the Clash, setting the stage for a competitive race on the quarter-mile flat oval. The only caution flag came out on lap 6, triggered by spins involving Riley Herbst and Cody Ware.
Michael McDowell initially took the lead from the outside of the front row but was penalized for jumping the pole on the first caution and sent to the back of the field. He ultimately finished 11th.
At the restart, Allmendinger took control, but Berry reclaimed the lead on lap 17 and held it to the finish. Meanwhile, LaJoie and Cindric closed in on Allmendinger with 14 laps remaining; LaJoie used bump drafting to help Cindric pass for second place.
The final ten laps saw Cindric and LaJoie fiercely contesting the runner-up position, entering the last corner in a neck-and-neck battle. Allmendinger attempted to bypass both but ended up pushing Cindric forward and forcing LaJoie wide, which allowed Cindric to secure the crucial transfer spot.
Todd Gilliland was forced to retire on lap 175 due to a mechanical failure, finishing last in the LCQ.
Implications and Upcoming Main Event Details
The 200-lap main event will begin at 6 p.m. ET, broadcast live on FOX, featuring drivers who advanced through the initial rounds, including Berry and Cindric. This race will test competitors’ endurance and strategy on the challenging Bowman Gray quarter-mile track.
Berry’s dominant performance in the last chance qualifier positions him as a strong contender, while Cindric’s gritty finish reflects the intense competition for limited spots. Alex Bowman’s last-place start in the main event suggests an uphill battle ahead.
Coverage and analysis continue from contributors such as James Krause, who joined Frontstretch in March 2024 and brings deep insight from his background in Illinois and work covering sports in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
