NASCAR’s return to Bowman Gray Stadium for the Cook out Clash has already set the stage for a thrilling showdown. The 2020 Cup Series champion Chase Elliott secured the pole position for Sunday’s non-points race by winning his heat race. Chris Buescher will join him in the front row after taking the second heat. With the quarter-mile track known for its tight corners and aggressive racing, the battle for supremacy will be anything but easy.

While Elliott and Buescher are locked in their spots, the drama is far from over. Several big names, including Ryan Blaney and Kyle Larson, have been forced into the Last Chance Qualifying (LCQ) race. However, amid all the excitement, Elliott’s pole position has sparked discussion. Given that he raced at Bowman Gray in the NASCAR K&N Series over a decade ago, some speculated that his prior experience gave him an edge. But Elliott wasted no time shutting down that theory.

Chase Elliott reveals his secret formula for success

Chase Elliott clinched the pole position for the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium after a dominant performance in the first heat race. He led every lap, securing the top starting spot for Sunday’s 200-lap main event. Some speculated that Elliott’s previous race at Bowman Gray Stadium might have given him an edge. However, Hendrick Motorsports’ driver was quick to dismiss these claims.

After securing the pole, Elliott admitted that he barely remembered his previous race at the track. “I don’t even remember hardly making a lap. You know, it’s been lots of laps made since 2012 or whatever it was, which is a good thing. That means we’ve been racing a lot. I kind of had to re-teach myself, I guess, or just kind of get familiar again today, this afternoon. That was kind of how I approached the day and what I was expecting. And, you know, fortunately, it was pretty similar to what I was kind of thinking,” Elliott told Bob Pockrass.

It’s worth noting that Elliot is one of those drivers who has multiple race starts at the Bowman Gray Stadium. In the early 2010s, he participated in two Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA) East events. His best finish at the track came in 2012 when he finished 6th in a featured race. Apart from him, drivers like Bubba Wallace, Daniel Suárez, Ryan Preece, and Corey LaJoie have multiple race starts at the track. Notably, Preece (2013, Modified Tour) and LaJoie (2012, ARCA East) are the only drivers who have won a race at The Madhouse.

With any doubts about an unfair advantage dismissed, Chase Elliott now shifts his focus to Sunday’s 200-lap main event. The Clash at Bowman Gray promises to be a grueling battle, with drivers fighting for every inch of track position. However, Elliott knows that winning from the pole won’t be easy. “It’s going to be tough to win from the third or fourth row on back,” he admitted, acknowledging the challenge ahead. The tight confines of the track leave little room for error, and any mistake could prove costly.

Alongside Elliott and Buescher, Denny Hamlin and Tyler Reddick also won their respective heat races, securing strong starting positions. Meanwhile, teams like RFK Racing and Trackhouse Racing managed to get all their drivers into the main event, showcasing their short-track strength. However, start drivers like Kyle Larson and Ryan Blaney will need to qualify by finishing in the top 2 of Last Chance Qualifying.

Elliott raises questions over new anti-manipulation rules

The NASCAR landscape has changed significantly in recent years, especially with the introduction of the Next Gen car. With stricter regulations and limited opportunities for teams to tweak their setups, organizations have had to rely more on manufacturer support. This has led to growing concerns about race manipulation, particularly in events where pack racing plays a major role. However, ahead of the 2025 season, NASCAR made several changes in OEM rules by introducing strict issues.

Elliott, when asked about NASCAR’s ongoing efforts to curb team alliances and questionable tactics, acknowledged that the issue is far from simple. “You know, there’s always going to be teammates, alliances, and so on and so forth. I’m not sure how you ever totally take that out of the equation. But from my standpoint, when you simplify it as a competitor, you always want to try to be the best that you can for your team,” Elliott said.

His comments highlight the fine line that exists between strategic teamwork and outright race manipulation. Last season, NASCAR took a firm stance when they penalized drivers and owners $100,000 for questionable tactics at Martinsville. Yet, the effectiveness of such penalties remains a topic of debate. One of the biggest concerns revolves around drafting tracks like Daytona and Talladega.

In these races, manufacturer teams often work together, raising questions about whether the outcomes are being influenced beyond fair competition. A prime example occurred last year at Talladega when all the Toyota Camry ran together—until they wrecked each other. The incident sparked discussion about whether NASCAR should step in or let teams strategize freely. With the Daytona 500 around the corner, NASCAR would be looking to curb these challenges.