Fifty-four years ago, NASCAR last roared through Bowman Gray Stadium. It is a venue etched in the sport’s history for its raw, high-octane, fender-bending short-track racing action. That night, under the glare of the floodlights and the cheers of a packed crowd, Bobby Allison took the checkered flag. Fast forward to today, the sport made its long-awaited return to the Madhouse. 

There were concerns that the race would be a demolition derby, a string of wrecks overshadowing the competition. However, NASCAR Insiders Kenny Wallace and Ken Schrader express their appreciation to the drivers who ensured that the Gray witnessed true racing rather than mindless wrecking. 

A few yellows here and there, but an otherwise skillful drive

It was Chase Elliott who led to the victory line for the opening event of the much anticipated Cook Out Clash. Not only the main race, he had claimed a win even during the heat race. Elliott ensured that he led the majority of the laps, a whopping 171 out of 200 laps. However, he wasn’t the only driver who showcased pure driving skills. Denny Hamlin gave a momentary scare to Elliott where he took the lead after the first 96 laps. Even Ryan Blaney, although started from P23, the tail of the race, came forward without wrecking anyone. He continued to finish the race in second position. 

Speaking of how the Bowman Gray race turned out to be one of the most exciting season openers, Ken Schrader on an episode of Coffee with Kenny said, “Oh I liked everything about it. Well it was like old school but the highest form of stock car racing. You know we got some damn good drivers and teams and they sure didn’t embarrass themselves by running over each other continuously. Yes there’s yellows, there’s gonna be yellows. We are in a flat quarter mile running around a high school football field.” Although the track used to hold races since its inception, it is also a football stadium. As a stadium it serves as the home field for the Winston-Salem State University Rams football team.

One of the characteristic features of the Bowman Gray as a racing track is that it is known to make drivers frustrated. The track is really short and there are sharp ridges which tend to make it difficult for drivers to keep control of their steering. Consequently, crashes and wrecks seem to be a given. However, the Cook Out Clash turned out to be quite peaceful, much to the surprise of the audience. There were about seven caution flags, a number that doesn’t justify the expectations from the Bowman Gray. While two of them were before halftime, five of them were in the second half as the pressure started mounting. 

Even NASCAR veteran Kevin Harvick has been of the same opinion when he mentioned how the track has been able to live up to the expectations. After the new advancements like the SAFER barriers and the floodlights, racing has become more enthralling at the Gray. Harvick said, “I think if you have that exhibition event and you move it around like that, I think there’s definitely something to moving it around. It’d be hard to take it away from Bowman Gray at this point because of the reaction to the fans and how good the racing was.” With NASCAR proving that Bowman Gray can still deliver thrilling yet disciplined racing, the Madhouse may have just secured its place as a staple for future exhibition events. 

Trending

1

NASCAR Star Drops Life-Changing Announcement as Racing Community Melts Over Welcome Surprise

2

3x Daytona 500 Champ Left in Tears Accompanying Tony Stewart’s Rival Into the Motorsport Hall of Fame

3

Richard Petty’s Son Betrays the King’s NASCAR Legacy With Humble Dale Earnhardt Claim

4

Kyle Larson Uncovers Welcome $18 Million Surprise Amidst NASCAR’s Michael Jordan Lawsuit Tussle

5

Kyle Busch Bags Another Deal as $700M Partner Extends More Lifeline After Iconic Sponsor’s Exit

Elliott talks about the “racy” condition of Bowman Gray

Chase Elliott taking to the victory lane was like an ode to his father Bill Elliott. The HMS driver is on his way to recreate a historic feat following in his father’s footsteps. Bill Elliott won the Clash in 1987 and then went on to win the Daytona 500 one week later. After leading the most number of laps and claiming the track as the undisputed king, Elliott spoke about what he felt about the Bowman Gray track in a conversation with Kevin Harvick. 

Agreeing with Harvick that the track was racy, Elliott said, “It was and I think even more than I thought it was going to be as well. I attribute that to just the age of the surface and in my opinion, it took a little bit of time for the tire wear to get to a position that you did have an option to move off the bottom, but it did happen.” 

Elliott further appreciated the quality of the tires that Goodyear has brought forth and the kind of grip they provided to the drivers. He said, “whatever tires Goodyear brought it did have some fall off to it and it had some wear and it took 60 70 laps but after a bit of time you could hurt the tire and I think that was where you know you really saw the racing get good.” Bowman Gray delivered a level of racing that surpassed everyone’s expectations. What was once in a shamble is now a NASCAR favorite, proving that the Madhouse still has plenty of magic left.