"It's like going home." For Richard Petty, NASCAR's visit to Bowman Gray wasn't just about a season opener. The post NASCAR Legend Richard ‘The King’ Petty Reminisces His Iconic 100th Victory at Bowman Gray appeared first on EssentiallySports.

Chase Elliott claimed NASCAR's first checkered flag of 2025 on Sunday night in Winston-Salem, winning the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium for his first victory in the Cup Series' preseason event.

The Clash got a jolt of energy at the North Carolina short track. Will it return in 2026, or will NASCAR look elsewhere?

NASCAR experimented by moving The Clash to Bowman Gray this year and by all accounts it was a smashing success. The race itself was excellent and the reaction from everyone around the event was exceptionally positive.

Chase Elliott, driver of the No. 9 NAPA Chevrolet Camaro, took home the win in the first Cup event at Bowman Gray in the modern era. This marks the fourth season the Clash has been held outside Daytona International Speedway, where it was traditionally raced on the famed high banks through the 2020 season.

NASCAR legend Kevin Harvick has lept to the defense of racer Denny Hamlin following a tumultuous offseason. Hamlin, who co-owns 23XI Racing alongside the legendary Michael Jordan, finished third during the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium ahead of the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series opening Daytona 500 race.

"It'll be a s--- show." Denny Hamlin's sentiments from July last year were clear when it came to NASCAR's plans to haul the Clash race to Bowman Gray Stadium in 2025. The post Denny Hamlin Applauds NASCAR’s Bowman Gray Showcase Amidst His Costly Mistake appeared first on EssentiallySports.