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

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 …
🏁TONIGHT on @FS1 experience the madness of Bowman Gray@FOXSports Films and @NASCAR Studios present THE MADHOUSE: NASCAR'S RETURN TO BOWMAN GRAY STADIUM at 7pm ET pic.twitter.com/NQkminpu4R
— FOX Sports PR (@FOXSportsPR) January 27, 2025
Alex Bowman shared his pre-race thoughts …
And one more before the 6 p.m. ET Last Chance Qualifier (Clash is at 8 ET)
I wanted to get @TeamHendrick @Alex_Bowman take on the emphasis on tonight's non points Clash race with the #Daytona500 right around the corner…. #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/dqEontmSfP
— Claire B Lang (@ClaireBLang) February 2, 2025
The first call of the season …
The champs have us fired up!
It's time to go racing in the #CookOutClash! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/j7NLxdQxik
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) February 3, 2025
Sunday night’s long-awaited green flag with Elliott, the pole-sitter, leading the way …
A Madhouse moment worth 54 years of waiting!
The #CookOutClash is underway from @BGSRacing! pic.twitter.com/3Yhu2WznJT
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) February 3, 2025
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 …
There's trouble early for @KyleBusch! pic.twitter.com/1uroaKtLy0
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) February 3, 2025
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 …
William Byron into the wall. pic.twitter.com/viePj2ll0u
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) February 3, 2025
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 …
This time, @dennyhamlin won't be denied! pic.twitter.com/rHCtXYCObh
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) February 3, 2025
Like the moves were rehearsed …
We're back in action after the halfway break … and we have synchronized spinners! 👀 pic.twitter.com/fJRfSPffQj
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) February 3, 2025
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 …
We've got trouble! Hocevar gets into the tire barrier! pic.twitter.com/uEE8oiUccm
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) February 3, 2025
Elliott outduels Hamlin on Lap 127 to regain the lead …
It's getting physical for the lead! 💥 pic.twitter.com/8syreEujTA
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) February 3, 2025
Blaney (12), who moved up from P22, looked to be driving the strongest machine with under 50 laps to go …
Elliott, Hamlin, Blaney … it's a heavyweight bout at the front of the field! pic.twitter.com/SVZX0E0Mr1
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) February 3, 2025
Benefitting from Blaney’s mistake, Elliott held on …
It's all Chase at Bowman Gray! 🏁 pic.twitter.com/ApiuRygeSL
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) February 3, 2025
Establishing an event record for laps led, Elliott earned the eighth Clash title for Hendrick Motorsports …
171 laps led, the most in @nascarclash history.
A statement effort from @chaseelliott and the No. 9 team. pic.twitter.com/36MxXjPOA6
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) February 3, 2025
The standing-room-only crowd appeared to embrace the exhibition and showed other fans in different markets how to act during a race …
Packed the house. pic.twitter.com/mtUVjoMIqb
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) February 3, 2025
Next up: the real thing …
The 2025 Daytona 500. February 16 on FOX. pic.twitter.com/1qgbPMr8di
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) January 14, 2025