Bowman Gray Weather Update: NASCAR’s Revamped Attempt at the Clash Under Mother Nature’s Threat Riles Up Fans

NASCAR is all geared up and ready to kickstart the 2025 season with the return at Bowman Gray Stadium with the Cookout Clash. When NASCAR announced that the Clash would be held at Bowman Gray on Feb 2, there was chatter about weather conditions in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Going by the latest updates, it looks like the worst fears of the event being affected by weather conditions could come true.

The Clash is scheduled as a two-day event with qualifying and heat races to be held on Saturday, followed by the main event on Sunday. A report by Weather Underground predicts a 30% chance of rain/snow showers on Saturday, Feb 1. The temperature will reach a high of 49 degrees and a low of 41 degrees. The hourly forecast predicts that the rain showers could occur between 2-9 a.m. ET, and more showers will follow in the evening.

Well, things aren’t looking too promising for Sunday, Feb 2, as the hourly forecast calls for mostly cloudy skies from 1-4 p.m. ET. And yes, there’s a 30% chance of rain showers from 5-8 p.m. ET. The temperatures in the evening are projected to be at a high of 49 degrees and feel like 47 degrees. These temperatures will not come close to the coldest temperature for a Cup race over the past 50-plus years, according to Racing Insights.

This wasn’t the news NASCAR fans were hoping for before the season started. It’s almost a déjà vu-like feeling as last year’s Clash event at LA Coliseum was mired by rains, forcing NASCAR to move the race to Saturday instead of Sunday.

NASCAR has the worst possible luck when it comes to weather forecasts and rain

You know that NASCAR is back when fans and the racing community are sweating over the weather forecast. It almost feels like an eternity since the cars rolled out on the ovals. Although the latest predictions aren’t something to celebrate, this particular fan was just glad that NASCAR is back. “Panic over rain? WE ARE SO BACK.”

NASCAR does have the wet weather tires at their disposal. However, it is important to note that this Goodyear tire compound isn’t used during the rain. It is only utilized in damp and wet conditions, something we saw during the New Hampshire race in 2024. Given that the prediction of the rain is about scattered showers, fans are hoping the wet weather tires would be a perfect response if indeed the weather turns foul. “Honestly, after seeing New Hampshire last year, I’m honestly hoping it rains just enough so we have to run rain tires, without everyone at the track being miserable.”

Last year, weather forced NASCAR’s hand to wrap up the Clash at the Coliseum a day in advance. Now there are scheduled events like practice and heat races, but in case the chances of rain increase, we might see NASCAR opt for direct qualifying rounds. This is what they did during the 2024 Clash event at the Coliseum, but fans want to enjoy the festivities that are scheduled over the weekend. “I hope they don’t cancel the heats again this year.”

Fans are really passionate about the OEMs, the teams, and the drivers they support. However, despite their differences and allegiances, most of the NASCAR fans would agree that rain is indeed their common enemy. And this user on Reddit perfectly summed up this sentiment with this simple one-liner. “NASCAR fans greatest enemy has returned…”

There’s a whole list of races that got affected by rains last year. It started out at the Clash, then the Daytona 500 was postponed, the Coca-Cola 600 race was cut short, and the All-Star race at North Wilkesboro was all affected by the tormenting weather. Well, SHR’s race cars could have been flooded if it wasn’t for the HMS team’s intervention at NWS. Well, the fans were hoping for a change in fortunes for the new season in 2025, but it looks like rain will continue to pepper NASCAR events. “it’s insane how much rain follows Nascar. like what are the chances.”

Well, keep an eye out on the weather forecast, and let us hope the Clash at Bowman Gray isn’t foiled by drastic changes in weather conditions.