WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — In a snow-delayed NASCAR preseason exhibition known as the Clash, Ryan Preece secured an unexpected victory on Wednesday night at Bowman Gray Stadium, overcoming a race marred by rain and sleet. The event, held on the historic quarter-mile track, extended over two hours and twenty minutes, testing drivers and their rain tires on a slick surface.
Preece, a driver from the Northeast recognized for his performance in short-track modified racing, captured this win despite never previously having won a Cup points race. His triumph on this tough course highlights why the term “quarter-mile killer” has been applied to him.
Emotional Victory for Ryan Preece
After 223 Cup starts and seven top-five finishes, Preece’s first Cup win came during his second year competing for RFK Racing, marking a significant milestone in his career. Following the race, Preece revealed his plans to drive seven hours south to Florida for short-track events at New Smyrna Speedway, underscoring his deep connection to grassroots racing despite his Cup Series success.
“When it comes to this style of racing, it’s what I grew up doing. … It’s not a points race, but winning means everything. Man, I’m just speechless.”
?Ryan Preece, NASCAR Driver
The postponement of the race from Sunday to Wednesday due to a snowstorm changed Preece’s schedule but did not dampen his enthusiasm. He described his post-race celebration as more about the continuous grind rather than the typical party atmosphere.
“I’ll celebrate in New Smyrna. I race, man. It’s what it’s about. This is going to make that drive a hell of a lot better because seven hours, I figure I’ll get to … New Smyrna about 7 a.m. We’ll just grind it out.”
?Ryan Preece, NASCAR Driver
Preece led the last 45 laps in the cold and wet conditions to claim the win, providing a dramatic finish to an unpredictable race.
Denny Hamlin Battles Challenges to Secure Fifth Place
Denny Hamlin finished fifth after battling through multiple spins and cautions, trailing only Preece, William Byron, Ryan Blaney, and Daniel Suarez at the finish. Hamlin’s resilience was notable given the personal and professional difficulties he faced over the past months, including the loss of the Cup title, a major legal victory for his team, and the tragic death of his father in a house fire that also injured his mother.
“It was a good preseason [race], but I think once we get to Daytona, things will start to get a little bit more normal, things will be a little more serious. And you’ll know the stakes are going to get high here in 10 days [with the Daytona 500],”
?Denny Hamlin, NASCAR Driver
Hamlin’s consistent involvement in cautions and spins underlined the difficulty of racing in the treacherous weather and track conditions at Bowman Gray Stadium.
Fuel Strategies Stir Debate Among Teams
The Clash’s complex rules, including the exclusion of caution laps from the race time, led to controversies over fuel management; the race saw 17 cautions, and when several drivers ran out of fuel, NASCAR allowed all competitors to pit for refueling. This decision sparked frustration, notably from Chase Briscoe’s team, as their crew chief believed they had already filled the fuel tank adequately before the start.
“I didn’t know all the circumstances that were going on, but I know James was not thrilled with the situation,”
?Chase Briscoe, NASCAR Driver
“It definitely after that, it kind of killed me. And a lot of guys were doing adjustments, and you weren’t supposed to be doing adjustments. … Kind of frustrating a little bit.”
?Chase Briscoe, NASCAR Driver
Additionally, William Byron, who caused a caution by running out of fuel, was allowed to regain his position after NASCAR’s refuel call, a move that might prompt debate but is likely to be quickly accepted due to the exhibition nature of the event.
Daniel Suarez Impresses in First Race with New Team
Daniel Suarez made a strong impression in his debut with Spire Motorsports, delivering a competitive performance after five years with Trackhouse Racing. Suarez showed his trademark intensity, at times racing his former teammates with heightened vigor.
“I race people the same way they race me,”
?Daniel Suarez, NASCAR Driver
“I love everyone. If they give me love, I give love. If they give me hate, I give hate.”
?Daniel Suarez, NASCAR Driver
His fiery approach added further drama to a race already defined by challenging weather and on-track incidents.
The Future of the Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium
As the NASCAR Cup Series prepares to move on to Daytona for the upcoming season opener, questions linger about whether the Clash will continue at Bowman Gray Stadium in future years. The city-owned venue, which also serves as the football stadium for Winston-Salem State University, has hosted the race for two consecutive years in an effort to reconnect the sport with its roots on short tracks.
The difficult conditions in February this year, including a rare snowstorm that blanketed the area with over eight inches of snow and a race run in freezing temperatures with sleet and rain, highlighted the challenges of scheduling events in winter months. The final portion of the race required use of rain tires and was interrupted frequently by caution flags due to spins and accidents.
“I don’t think you can judge a race or a track off of that weird weather circumstance,”
?Ryan Blaney, 2023 Cup Series Champion
“Just the way [in the rain], calamity as it would be with anyplace. I appreciate the fans sticking around all night. I bet that was brutal in those aluminum grandstands. Cold asses up there.”
?Ryan Blaney, 2023 Cup Series Champion
Despite the difficult conditions, the event generated excitement and anticipation for the upcoming NASCAR season, with Preece’s first-ever Cup win marking a significant moment for the sport.
