All eyes are currently on NASCAR’s season-opening Cup Series exhibition race, The Clash. Most of the fans know that the iconic Clash is back at the Madhouse after what seems like an eternity – more than five decades. However, there are flying rumors that Bowman Gray might not after all be the permanent home for the pre-race season opener. When asked about the same, Richard Childress Racing driver Austin Dillon confessed his feelings towards the historic track, noting the fans as one of the best parts of the experience.

Bowman Gray might not be the least favorite for drivers

It has taken time for the Clash to get back to Bowman Gray. Dubbed “The Madhouse,” Bowman Gray’s tight quarter-mile layout and bullring-style racing have made it a fan favorite for decades. Bringing The Clash here was never just about shaking up the schedule. It was always about honoring stock car racing’s raw, unfiltered origins. After all, this was where NASCAR was born.

From 1971 to 2021, the Daytona track was the staple location for the Clash. However, it was in the last couple of years that the clash shifted from Daytona and made its way to the Los Angeles Coliseum. Millions were invested to construct this short track, and it had a debut run of 50,000 tickets, with almost 70% being first-time ticket buyers. 

However, the shift to Bowman Gray turned out to be the most monumental, with all the tickets being sold in November itself. One might wonder, when Bowman Gray is so risky, why do drivers like it so much? A common reason behind the same is the excitement it contributes to. The short track mile has super congested ridges which tend to make it difficult for cars to maneuver through. However, currently, there are rumors of the Clash shifting out once again. Speaking of the same, Austin Dillon opened up about the possible fate of the track. He said, “All-Star race would be interesting. I mean North Wilkesboro has got it now. I think we should come back here once more. They have put in a lot of work and effort into the track here, time and value”. 

The Bowman Gray Tracks have made a lot of new changes as well, which include the addition of the SAFER barrier and even glaring LED lights to ensure there are no vision disturbances. Even if the rumors turn out to be true and the Clash moves from Bowman Gray, it surely has the potential to become a concurrent part of the NASCAR race schedule. 

Austin Dillon did not have the best of runs during the qualifiers. He failed to qualify through the heat races and missed out in the last chance qualifier as well. In the LCQ, Dillon once again gambled on the high lane, looking to recreate his earlier success, which took him up to third. But this time, the field adapted. The inside line tightened up, leaving no room for him to dive down before Turns 3 and 4. Trapped on the outside with a fading grip, he lost momentum as the pack surged past him. Although this was the move that helped him from seventh to third, it turned into a big miscalculation for him, sending him back to seventh. Despite the disappointing result, Dillon had a lot to praise about the fans at Bowman Gray.

Speaking of the atmosphere during his run, Austin Dillon said, “Plenty of middle fingers flying out in the air, so that means they are in it. And this had to be good for the people that were here, worth the ticket price… I love it, that’s what I do, to put on a show”. For Dillon, it seemed as though things were going on the right track and this could happen only in Bowman Gray. The track is known to make it exciting by adding these hooks and this is what sells the most. 

Bowman Gray sees Chase Elliott as the undisputed winner

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The triumphant return that NASCAR made to the Bowman Gray Tracks had hinted that the race day would be indeed nail-biting exciting. Fans were waiting with bated breath to witness the winner and finally, it is here, Chase Elliott! Elliot has shown what driving should be like and he has led 172 of the race’s 200 laps after starting on the pole. With only 70 laps to go, he made sure that he could push Denny Hamlin from the lead and regain his momentum. 

Speaking of the same, Elliott said, “This was awesome. I know it’s not a points race but really nice to win… Great way to start the season”. He also seemed to be quite in awe of the entire Bowman Gray environment and the aura it has contributed to. He added, “This environment is special. This is a place that has deep history in NASCAR. They deserve this event”. 

The main event was indeed quite a treat to watch and for the ones who were on the audience stand, it was an epic experience. Elliott dominated the early going, leading the first 97 laps. This is when Denny Hamlin crossed him and seized the top spot. The race’s first half saw just two cautions. While the first one was from Kyle Busch, the second one was marked by William Byron. However, as the race progressed, more incidents piled on with Carson Hocevar and Christopher Bell also involved in an incident that left the Spire Motorsports driver fuming.

Despite the interruptions, the field largely settled into a rhythm, with Elliott and Hamlin emerging as the frontrunners in the battle for control. Elliott edged out a charging Hamlin for most of the race to take his first-ever Clash win. The last time his dad, Bill Elliot, won the clash (1987), he went on to win the Daytona 500 as well. Do you think Elliott can replicate his father’s greatness?