In over a week, NASCAR drivers will hop back in their race cars to kick-start the 2025 Cup Series season at Bowman Gray with the Cookout Clash. The historic quarter-mile track, better known as the Madhouse, is known to produce an electrifying experience. Bowman Gray can host 17,000 race fans, and all the tickets for the season opener have been sold out. However, there’s a major roadblock for those fans who are going to flock to Bowman Gray on Feb 2. NASCAR officials have asked the fans to come prepared for the parking plans before heading over to the track.

Meanwhile, the designated parking area around the venue has been taken up by NASCAR and its broadcast partners.

NASCAR fans will have a tough time finding parking at Bowman Gray

There’s a reason why NASCAR hosts its championship race at Phoenix Raceway. Apart from the world-class facility the track offers, there’s no issue regarding parking space at that particular venue. This is the case for major NASCAR events and marquee races, but Bowman Gray is one of the smallest tracks and hasn’t hosted a mega event in recent history. However, what made things even more disappointing for fans was parking spots closest to the venue being taken up by NASCAR and its partners. As a result, NASCAR officials are trying to avoid chaos and trouble for the local community with an influx of fans on race day.

Justin Swilling, the project manager of Cookout Clash at Bowman Gray, said this after the parking arrangements via WXII12 News. “Part of being a good steward of the sport is being a good steward of the community. And we want to definitely promote people parking and designated parking areas for this event. And, and not doing it in neighborhoods nearby that, that, you know, maybe, maybe suitable for them on a Saturday night, but not to an event of this magnitude.”

It’s not the case that fans will be stranded in finding parking spots. NASCAR has designated two areas for the fans to park while attending the race. One is the Allegacy Stadium lots; this is the spot where Wake Forest Football fans park. The other option is the Innovation Quarter along Research Parkway. Fans will be provided with climate-controlled shuttles from these parking spots to the racetrack. With an estimated 17,000 people coming to the event, the logistics of handling Bowman Gray will be challenging.

To host this mega event and ensure the smooth flow of traffic, the Winston-Salem Police Department has sent out information on road closures. The temporary road closures will be in place on Saturday, Feb 1, 2025, from 8 a.m. to 11:30 p.m., and Sunday, Feb 2, 2025, from noon to 11:30 p.m. Apart from the parking, fans also need to be up to speed on what to expect from the Clash, as NASCAR has rolled out the format for the season-opening race.

Format for the Cookout Clash at Bowman Gray

Just like last year’s Clash at the LA Memorial Coliseum, only twenty-three cars will be able to compete in the 200 green-flag laps to claim the victory. However, all the entries will have to go through the heat races to qualify for the main event.

The field will be divided into three practice groups, and each group will have three practice sessions. The fastest lap from the final practice session of each driver will determine their starting position in the lineup. The fastest competitor will take the pole for the first heat race; the second fastest will start on pole for the second heat race, and a similar formula applies to the third and fourth heat races.

Each heat race will be 25 laps, and only green flag laps will be counted without the provision of overtime. The top five finishers for each heat race will make for a total of 20 spots and advance to the Clash. The cars that failed to qualify through heats will go through last chance qualifiers. This race will be 75 laps with green-flag laps counted without overtime, and the top two drivers will advance to the Clash.

The 23rd and final spot is reserved for the driver who finished highest in the 2024 driver standings and who has yet to qualify for the main event. It will be interesting to see which major NASCAR star makes it to the clash along with potential upsets. With the field just restricted to 23 cars, some of the big names might not be able to compete for the Clash trophy.