NASCAR has unveiled the format for the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium, and it’s about as straightforward as a three-wide battle through a paperclip turn. Here’s how the chaos will unfold:
Heat Race Starting Lineup
First, the field will be split into three practice groups. Each group gets three sessions to dial in their cars, but the real pressure comes in the final practice. Fastest lap times from that session will determine the heat race starting grid. If you’re the quickest, congratulations—you’re on pole for Heat 1. Second-fastest? Pole for Heat 2. Third-fastest? Well, you get the idea.
Heat Races
Next up, four 25-lap heat races, and here’s the catch—only green flag laps count. No overtime. No gimmicks. The top five finishers in each heat punch their ticket straight into The Clash. Everyone else? Keep reading.
Last Chance Qualifier
If you don’t make it through the heats, welcome to the Last Chance Qualifier, where things get scrappy. Starting positions will be based on heat race results, and the LCQ is 75 laps of green-flag-only madness. No overtime here either, so every lap counts. The top two finishers grab the final transfer spots to The Clash. For everyone else, it’s a long drive home.
The Cook Out Clash Feature
And then there’s the main event: 23 drivers, 200 laps, and only green flag laps count. No cruising to the finish under caution—this race must end under green. At Lap 100, there’s a timed break, giving teams a moment to breathe before diving back into the action.
The lineup? The first 22 spots go to heat race and LCQ finishers. That 23rd and final spot? Reserved for the driver who finished highest in the 2024 season standings but hasn’t yet qualified. A wildcard, if you will—just to keep things spicy.
So there you have it: heat races, last-chance chaos, and a feature race guaranteed to be packed with action. Bowman Gray Stadium is known as the “Madhouse” for a reason. Let’s see who survives.
Greg is the author of "The Nuts and Bolts of NASCAR: The Definitive Viewers' Guide to Big-Time Stock Car Auto Racing" and has been published in major publications across the country including the Los Angeles Times, the Cleveland Plain Dealer and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He was also a contributor to Chicken Soup for the NASCAR Soul, published in 2010, and the Christmas edition in 2016. He wrote as the NASCAR, Formula 1, Auto Reviews and National Veterans Affairs Examiner for Examiner.com and has appeared on Fox News. He holds a BS degree in communications, a Masters degree in psychology and is currently a PhD candidate majoring in psychology. He is currently the weekend Motorsports Editor for Autoweek.
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