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NASCAR Cup Series Fans React To Near-Flawless Chase Elliott Claiming Cook Out Clash At Bowman Gray Stadium

Jeff Hawkins Written by Sports EditorJeff Hawkins
Updated –
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Chase Elliott prepares to practice for the NASCAR Cup Series Würth 400 at Dover International Speedway on April 29, 2023.

NASCAR Cup Series driver Chase Elliott enjoyed the unique experience. 

Leading for 171 of 200 laps Sunday night, the 2000 circuit champion opened the 2025 season with a dominating Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium victory. The preseason showcase attracted a sell-out crowd of more than 17,000 spectators.  

“This environment is special,” Elliott told Fox Sports during a post-race interview. “Thanks everybody for coming out. We don’t race in stadiums like this. Really cool.” 

The hard-nosed racing on the quarter-mile oval came to a climax late in the race when Elliott took advantage of Ryan Blaney’s mistake with 10 rotations remaining and finished 1.3 seconds behind Elliott. 

“I know it’s not a points race, but it’s nice to win,” Elliott said. “I was afraid to lose control of the race and not get it back. Fortunately, it worked out.” 

X (Twitter) users responded to the historical significance of the track nicknamed “The Madhouse,” the stadium that hosted NASCAR National Series events from 1949-71 … 

Alex Bowman shared his pre-race thoughts … 

 The first call of the season … 

Sunday night’s long-awaited green flag with Elliott, the pole-sitter, leading the way … 

Beginning on Lap 20’s altercation with Noah Gragson along Turn 3, Kyle Busch’s troubles from 2024 carried over to 2025. The driver of the No. 8 Chevrolet exited briefly to the pits, but returned … 

 In the back of the field and just behind the lead pack, William Byron (24) spun out along Turn 4 and hit the wall, creating the second caution period. Byron avoided having to leave the track and make a pit stop … 

After leading for 97 laps, Elliott was passed by Denny Hamlin. Last year’s Clash champion cleared the pole-sitter along Turn 4. Two laps later, Tyler Reddick also passed Elliott just before the eight-minute halftime break …

Like the moves were rehearsed … 

Getting Carson Hocevar back after an earlier bump on Lap 108, Christopher Bell hooked the No. 77 Chevrolet, which spun into the Turn 3 wall. Hocevar was able to continue without a pit stop …  

Elliott outduels Hamlin on Lap 127 to regain the lead … 

 Blaney (12), who moved up from P22, looked to be driving the strongest machine with under 50 laps to go … 

Benefitting from Blaney’s mistake, Elliott held on …

Establishing an event record for laps led, Elliott earned the eighth Clash title for Hendrick Motorsports … 

The standing-room-only crowd appeared to embrace the exhibition and showed other fans in different markets how to act during a race …

Next up: the real thing … 

Jeff Hawkins Written by Sports EditorJeff Hawkins
Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in the industry, in both print and digital media. He joined the Sportscasting team in 2021 following a decade of freelancing. He spent his early career as a reporter for various newspapers in Illinois, New York, Florida, North Carolina, and Michigan, with a particular emphasis as a beat reporter for the Chicago Blackhawks. Jeff earned his bachelor's degree in journalism from Oakland University. Over the course of his career he earned several sports writing awards, including two national awards from the Associated Press Sports Editors for column writing and news reporting. One of the five prized columns included a commentary on NASCAR's increasing corporate influences, particularly in northern racetracks — commentary which you might find Jeff building on as part of the Motorsports writing team at Sportscasting now.  
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