How I would approach the Bowman Gray Clash

On Sunday Night February 2, NASCAR will be returning to race at Bowman Gray Stadium to kick off the season. The “Mad House” comes with unknowns since it hasn’t been raced at since 1971 in NASCAR competition but below is how I would approach the weekend.
- The Bowman Gray Clash is a race you want to have a “Real Time “ approach. We won’t know the full 23 car field until shortly before the Clash starts following the “Last Chance Qualifier.” Big names aren’t a lock to even make it. Last year, Christopher Bell missed the “Main Event” and so far, RFK Racing as an organization is just 1 for 6 at making .25-mile Clashes. Here is a look at the Bowman Gray On Track Event Schedule.
- Pick drivers who are strong in their Heat Races. This is a spin off having a “Real Time” approach, but picking drivers who are strong in their Heat Races will be key. Heat Races will essentially be “Simulation Races”, so those drivers will more than likely also be strong in the “Main Event.” Alongside being strong in Heat Races, those who are strong will also most likely start up front. Passing will be difficult and likely take the “Chrome Horn.” In previous .25-mile Clashes, the winners have started 1st (Denny Hamlin, 2024), 2nd (Martin Truex Jr., 2023) and 4th (Joey Logano, 2022). Practice will set the Heat Race lineups, so that also falls under this bullet point.
- If you need to have a pre-weekend mind-set, I would look back to who was strong in previous LA Clashes. Bowman Gray is a .25-mile oval, and the only other previous races held at tracks of this length were at the LA Coliseum, so it’s the best comparison track. Here’s a look at LA Clash Average Finishes, LA Clash Green Flag Speed Rankings, 2024 LA Clash Speed Cheat Sheet and here’s individual LA Clash Loop Data box scores for 2024, 2023 and 2022. Remember, fantasy racing is about “What have you done lately”, so recent success is key.
- Look back to Martinsville. Martinsville is twice as big as Bowman Gray, but I think it’s a solid comp track. When you look back to the previous LA Coliseum winners, those drivers are also strong at Martinsville. Here’s Martinsville Next Gen Average Finishes (NEW For 2025) and Martinsville Next Gen Speed Rankings.
Some Bowman Gray miscellaneous thoughts
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I don’t view previous success at Bowman Gray as important. Probably much of the Cup field has previously raced here, but I’m sure those starts were a longtime ago and against amateur competition.
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I don’t really view any other track as a comp track. Bowman Gray is such a unique track. Ultimately as I point out in bullet point #1, this is a “Real Time” approach weekend.
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