Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Confidence Rankings / Post Heat Race Predictions

On Sunday night, NASCAR will be back for the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray. This quarter-mile of mayhem called “The Mad House”, will probably live up to the billing and bring out off-season pent-up aggression from NASCAR’s best. The Heat Races were wild, so just imagine when the drivers dial up the intensity and are racing for a trophy.
On Saturday, NASCAR held practice and Heat Races. The Heat Races were “Simulation Races”, so if a driver looked good in them, they’ll probably look good in the main event. Here’s a look at Clash Heat Race Results. Here’s a look at NASCAR Practice Notes, Practice 15,20,25 and 30 Lap Average Speed Cheat Sheet and Practice Group Speed Rankings.
Here’s the Starting Lineup for the Clash.
NOTE: Only drivers who are currently locked into the Clash are listed below.
Bowman Gray Clash Fantasy Rankings
1) Chase Elliott
Start 1st / Projected Finish Range 1-6 / Dominator Potential – High
Bowman Gray Outlook – Chase Elliott had an ugly track record in LA but it’s a new day for him at Bowman Gray and he’s poised to be a top contender in the Cook Out Clash. Elliott will be starting on the pole, he was a stopwatch standout in practice and then in his Heat Race, Elliott led start to finish. Last year at ovals where the low-down force package was used, Elliott had the best Total Speed Ranking over all the combined races, and that included going 2 for 2 at ranking #1 in both Martinsville races. Also at Martinsville last year, Elliott finished 2nd in the fall (led 129 laps) and then finished 3rd in the spring (led 64 laps). At the LA Coliseum, Elliott had an ugly track record with his average finish being 18th over the three races. Last year, Elliott finished 22nd after getting sidelined during the half-time break due to some steering issue. In the race, Elliott had the 9th best Green Flag Speed and was running in 12th just prior to his demise. In the two races prior to that, Elliott had results of 21st (just a complete non-factor) and 11th in 2022.
DraftKings $9,200
2) Denny Hamlin
Start 3rd / Projected Finish Range 1-6 / Dominator Potential – High
Bowman Gray Outlook – Defending Clash champ, Denny Hamlin should prominently be on your short list of favorites to win the Clash. Hamlin’s a super-elite short track driver and he’s proven his prowess at .25-mile ovals. On Saturday, Hamlin was stout during his second practice run which included comments from his team such as “We’re the best of this session. Better than anyone from the last session too” and then in his Heat Race, he clobbered the competition and raced his way to victory lane. Last year in LA, Hamlin finished 1st, earned the best Driver Rating, had a 3.2 average running position and led 58 laps. When it was closing time and the money was on the line, Hamlin took the lead during a late restart while running in 3rd, which propelled him to victory lane. In terms of speed stats, Hamlin ranked as the fastest driver late in a run and had the 4th best Green Flag Speed. In his other two Clash’s, Hamlin had results of 9th (2023) and 23rd (parts failure). At Martinsville, which is a great comp track, Hamlin has the 3rd best Next Gen Speed Ranking and the 3rd best average finish over the last five (5.8).
DraftKings $10,100
Further Recommended Reading = Clash Quick Rankings, Clash Projected Finish Ranges, DraftKings Clash Scoring Projections
3) Joey Logano
Start 7th / Projected Finish Range 1-6 / Dominator Potential – Medium
Bowman Gray Outlook – In the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray, defending NASCAR champion, Joey Logano will be tough to beat. Logano has proven to be a quick adapter (LA Coliseum #1 winner, Bristol Dirt #1 winner, Gateway #1 winner, North Wilkesboro repave #1 winner), and I think he has a great chance to take home Bowman Gray Clash win #1. When it comes to short track racing and getting aggressive, Logano has the perfect amount of hate in his heart for the competition, and that may very well be what it takes to win at “The Mad House.” At the LA Coliseum which I view to be the best comp track, Logano was stout. Logano won the first Clash in 2022, ranked among the best last year and among drivers who competed in all three, he ranked 2nd for Green Flag Speed and Driver Rating. In 2024 at “The Coliseum,” I would rank Logano as the 2nd best, “performance-wise.” In the race, Logano finished 4th, had a 2.5 average running position, earned the 3rd best Driver Rating, and led 8 laps. In terms of speed stats, Logano ranked 2nd for both Green Flag Speed and Speed Late in a Run. With 10 to go, Logano was running in 2nd, but then he had a horrendous late restart which dropped him back a few positions. In other Clash races, Logano finished a dud 16th in 2023 (just stuck in traffic all race long), and then in 2022, Logano finished 1st, led 35 laps, and had a 2.5 average running position. At Martinsville, which is another good comp track, Logano has the 2nd best Next Gen Average Finish (5.3) and the 6th best Next Gen Speed Ranking. In his Heat Race, Logano finished 2nd.
DraftKings $9,800