Bowman Gray Cook Out Clash Fantasy NASCAR Confidence Rankings / Post Practice Predictions
Tonight, get ready for NASCAR to be back in the Bowman Gray Cook Out Clash. 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. There’s also wet weather question marks surrounding tonight, so buckle up for a wild one! Below each driver I have some wet weather thoughts, just in case.
Earlier today, NASCAR practice was held. Each team had two 8-minute practice sessions and then one 4-minute qualifying session. Make sure you check out our Bowman Gray Practice Notes, Bowman Gray Practice Speeds and 10-lap averages and our Bowman Gray 10 and 20 Lap Average Speed Cheat Sheet.
Here’s the Bowman Gray Clash Starting Lineup
NOTE: This post will get updated following the LCQ
Bowman Gray Full Field Fantasy Rankings
1) William Byron
Start 2nd / Projected Finish Range 1-6 / Dominator Potential – High
Bowman Gray Outlook – Last year’s Clash wasn’t good for William Byron, but I expect him to be a lot better in year #2 at “The Madhouse.” I view Martinsville to have the most correlation and last fall, Byron put on a display of domination. In that race, Byron had a 1.8 average running position, led 304 laps, earned the best Driver Rating by a huge margin and had a perfect Total Speed Ranking (fastest car over every segment). Last year in the Clash, Byron started 11th, was spun on lap 79 while running around 20th, finished 22nd at the halfway point, was in 17th on lap 116 but then he was spun again. When the checkered flag waved, Byron finished 18th. Additionally, Byron had a 17.1 average running position and ranked 21st in terms of Total Speed Rankings. In terms of racing in wet conditions, I think that will be to Byron’s detriment.
DraftKings $9,800
Further Recommended Reading – Bowman Gray Finish Projections, DraftKings Bowman Gray Scoring Projections, Bowman Gray Quick Rankings
2) Christopher Bell
Start 5th / Projected Finish Range 1-6 / Dominator Potential – Medium-High
Bowman Gray Outlook – Look for Christopher Bell to have a strong showing in the Clash. Bell’s an elite short track racer; he ran pretty well in this race last year and at Martinsville in 2025 between the combined races, Bell had a 4.5 average finish and a 6.5 average speed ranking. Last year in the Clash, Bell had a solid showing. In the race, Bell started 8th, had an 8.4 average running position, finished 6th at the midway point and then finished 12th overall. In terms of Speed Stats, Bell ranked 11th in terms of Total Speed Rankings and ranked 15th in terms of speed late in a run. In terms of racing in wet conditions, Bell certainly ranks among the best. New Hampshire 2024 is the primary race I look back to, and Bell won there and fielded the fastest car in the wet conditions.
DraftKings $9,600
3) Ryan Blaney
Start 16th / Projected Finish Range 1-6 / Dominator Potential – Medium
Bowman Gray Outlook – Ryan Blaney is a super-elite short track racer who should prominently be on your short list of favorites at Bowman Gray. Blaney nearly raced his way to victory lane in last year’s Clash despite starting last, so his level of difficulty will be a less considering he’s starting 16th. In last year’s Clash, Blaney started 23rd, finished 10th at the half-way break and then finished 2nd when the checkered flag waved. In the race, the #12 took the competition to the woodshed over a long run and rotated the corners with ease. In terms of speed stats, Blaney ranked 2nd for Speed Late In A Run and had the 4th best Total Speed Ranking. At Martinsville which I view to be the best comp track, Blaney has the best Next Gen Average Finish (4.3) and the 2nd best Next Gen Speed Ranking. Last fall at “The Paper Clip”, Blaney finished 2nd and had the 2nd best Total Speed Ranking. In wet weather conditions, I think Blaney should be strong. At New Hampshire in 2024, Blaney was crashed while running in 2nd in the wet conditions and had the 3rd best Speed Ranking in the 4th segment.
DraftKings $10,200
