NASCAR to bring back historic Bowman Gray Stadium for 2025 crash

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — NASCAR has announced that the 2025 preseason Clash will be held at the iconic Bowman Gray Stadium on February 2. This marks the return of the NASCAR Cup Series to the quarter-mile track for the first time since 1971.

Bowman Gray Stadium, renowned for its racing history and as the backdrop of the “Madhouse” docuseries, has been a staple in the motorsport community. The track, which hosted NASCAR Cup events from 1958 to 1971, continues to be a venue for weekly races during the summer and various NASCAR regional and Modified events.

Owned by the City of Winston-Salem and doubling as the home field for the Winston-Salem State University football team, the stadium has remained a key player in regional motorsports. This year, NASCAR took over the promotional rights for the events at Bowman Gray, enhancing its role in the stadium’s racing activities.

Ben Kennedy, NASCAR Executive Vice President, expressed excitement about the event, highlighting the track’s rich motorsport legacy and its significance in NASCAR history. Details regarding the start time and race format are still under wraps, but the event is scheduled for broadcast, two weeks prior to the Daytona 500.

In conjunction with the race, a one-hour documentary celebrating the return of Cup racing to Bowman Gray Stadium, a venue that has not seen a Cup event in over five decades, is set to be produced.

This announcement comes after three years of hosting The Clash at a temporary track inside the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. While NASCAR’s full 2025 schedule has yet to be released, the choice of Bowman Gray Stadium is a nod to NASCAR’s roots and its historical venues.