After three years in L.A., NASCAR brings its preseason race back to North Carolina, where Bowman Gray Stadium's return marks an emotional start to 2025.

NASCAR is back, old-school style, as 2025 opens with a return to the “Mecca of Madhouse” for Sunday night’s preseason Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium. The Winston-Salem quarter-mile notorious for its rough-and-tumble racing style and numerous fights will host its first Cup Series event since 1971 with the non-points exhibition race.

Bowman Gray Stadium is famous for its viral videos of short track fights and close quarters racing. From 1958 until 1971, the Winston-Salem facility hosted 29 races featuring NASCAR’s top series. The 30th will come this weekend with the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray.