‘Biased’ Tyler Reddick Demands NASCAR to Exit Bowman Gray With Bold Solution

With all 17,000 tickets sold, it will be a packed house with buzzing excitement for the return of Cook Out Clash at the Bowman Gray Stadium. It took 54 years for the residents of North Carolina to experience authentic NASCAR racing at the Madhouse once again. With NASCAR pulling out all stops for a banger of a season opener, there are a few disappointed faces in the garage.  Tyler Reddick’s thoughts on the Madhouse return might be surprising to some, especially considering the excitement around the prospect of NASCAR racing at the historic short track.

But Reddick isn’t afraid to speak his mind — and he thinks it’s time for NASCAR to consider taking the Clash somewhere else. He revealed his unfiltered opinion on Peter Stratta’s YouTube Channel.

Tyler Reddick wants a return to Daytona

“I mean, we haven’t even been there yet,” Reddick admitted, acknowledging the buzz surrounding the Clash’s potential at Bowman Gray. “Honestly, it could be fantastic. The racing could be incredible, the atmosphere iconic. But for me? It’s hard to say.” Reddick isn’t sold on the idea of going back to roots to have an action-packed event.

He seems to be not a big fan of short-track racing for the matter. “I always enjoyed watching the Clash when it was in Daytona. My bias probably came out when I got to race the Clash on the road course. There’s something about racing under the lights, through the bus stop, that just felt really fun,” Reddick said. For the California native, it’s not just nostalgia at play here. Reddick pointed to the technical side of the car: “The next-gen car, with all its drag, is more than heavy-duty enough to handle a true Rolex-style track layout. So for me, it’s not about the car’s capability — it’s the experience.”

What Reddick refers to here is the old schedule of NASCAR when the Clash used to be at Daytona. Between 1979 and 2021, the event would take place at the iconic track, with it eventually being moved to the road course at the same track for 2021. For those who don’t know, the road course is the same as the one used for the Endurance race at the track. Given how the Next-Gen cars brought in a higher downforce system with bigger spoilers, the road course race could be a fun experiment just to see how the grid can shape up before diving in to the season.

But Reddick isn’t just looking to relive the past. “It’d be fun to take the Clash somewhere we’ve never been before. I mean, how about Europe? Imagine taking NASCAR to a new fan base,” he suggested. Redick’s suggestion aligns with NASCAR’s vision for expansion. The addition of the race in Mexico might just be the step Reddick is referring to. It allows NASCAR to expand its audience to a global scale, especially in regions where traditional forms of stock-racing doesn’t have a lot of following. 

Would Bowman Gray offer great racing? Probably. Could it live up to the legacy of Daytona? Maybe not in the same way Reddick envisions. But if his bold idea ever gets off the ground, NASCAR could be racing in places it’s never gone before — and for that, the future of the Clash may look far more exciting than anyone imagined.

Reddick Is Concerned for Fan’s Safety at the Madhouse

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Known as the birthplace of NASCAR, the historic track in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, has undergone significant safety upgrades to ensure both drivers and fans are protected. While the return to “The Madhouse” marks a thrilling moment for the sport, driver Tyler Reddick has voiced concerns about the track’s history and its safety evolution. Having experienced Bowman Gray firsthand, Reddick recalled, “I remember going there and watching racing and thinking, holy cow, how has the car not gone through these guardrails at any point?”

The notorious short guardrails of the past have now been replaced with modern SAFER barriers, but Reddick remains focused on the fan experience, stressing, “It’s not even really about the drivers. Right? It’s about fans.” Reddick’s reflects the unique risks of racing at Bowman Gray, where close-quarters action often leads to intense collisions. The track’s compact layout and tight turns have made for thrilling, but sometimes dangerous, moments in NASCAR history. 

With cars reaching higher speeds than ever before, the need for safety upgrades becomes critical. Reddick pointed out, “What happens if a car goes over the guardrail and gets into the stands?” His concerns highlight the difference between the track’s early days and today’s racing environment, where the dangers of high-speed crashes cannot be ignored.

Bowman Gray Stadium’s $9 million in upgrades have addressed these safety concerns with the addition of a new catch fence, asphalt resurfacing, improved drainage, and a Musco Lighting system to enhance visibility. These enhancements aim to keep the historic track relevant while prioritizing fan and driver safety. Reddick, who recently took 23XI Racing to their first Championship 4, is confident the improvements will make the Cook Out Clash an unforgettable event. With modernized facilities and cutting-edge safety features in place, NASCAR is ready to return to Bowman Gray, where the sport’s rich history and thrilling future collide.