NASCAR News: Frigid temps, possible snow forecast for Cook Out Clash
As the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season revs up, all eyes are on Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, for the Cook Out Clash—the high-stakes exhibition race marking the unofficial kickoff to the year.
–by Mark Cipolloni–
Scheduled for Sunday, February 1, at 8:00 p.m. ET, with practice and qualifying on Saturday, January 31, this return to the historic quarter-mile “Madhouse” promises raw, door-to-door racing. But Mother Nature might have other plans, with a brewing winter storm threatening to blanket the region in snow, ice, and bone-chilling temperatures, potentially derailing the weekend’s festivities.
The forecast for Winston-Salem paints a grim picture of Arctic-like conditions descending on the area just as teams and fans converge. Saturday, January 31—the day of practice sessions starting around 6:10 p.m. ET for the NASCAR Cup Series, alongside events for the Whelen Modified Tour and Sportsman division—could see morning snow showers giving way to partly cloudy skies, but with highs struggling to reach above freezing and lows plummeting to 17-20°F. Precipitation chances hover around 48%, with risks of sleet and freezing rain adding to the mix. By evening, during heat races, temperatures might dip to 18°F, making track conditions treacherous.
Sunday, February 1, fares little better. Daytime highs may climb to a modest 28-34°F for last-chance qualifying, but as the sun sets and the main event approaches, expect lows dipping to 15-22°F under partly cloudy skies.
The real wildcard is an overnight winter storm on Saturday into Sunday, potentially dumping heavy snowfall and ice accumulation across the region, which could render the racing surface unusable. Long-range models suggest sub-freezing temperatures persisting, with some forecasts warning of significant icing and wintry mix amounting to 2-3 cm of snow and ice.
These conditions aren’t just uncomfortable—they could fundamentally alter the racing dynamics. Cold tracks mean reduced tire grip, as rubber struggles to warm up and achieve optimal adhesion, leading to slippery handling and increased spin-outs on Bowman Gray’s tight turns.
Braking becomes a nightmare, with friction in pads and rotors compromised, while engines may battle to maintain ideal operating temperatures, affecting power output and reliability. Suspension components stiffen in the freeze, making cars feel unresponsive, and drivers could face physical discomfort from the biting cold seeping into cockpits. Rudy Fugle, crew chief for William Byron’s No. 24 team, highlighted these challenges: “The cold weather will definitely affect how the cars handle… It’s going to be a test for everyone.”
NASCAR officials are already on high alert, with proactive measures in place. Ben Kennedy, NASCAR’s EVP and chief venue and racing innovations officer, revealed that track crews treated the surface with salt brine ahead of the storm to combat ice buildup. However, if the storm intensifies, postponements or schedule adjustments aren’t out of the question, as seen in past weather-plagued events. Fan and media buzz is growing, with Ryan Larkin tweeting, “The weather for the Clash next weekend is truly something. NASCAR might want to consider doing this thing in Daytona or LA or anywhere warm.” Reddit discussions echo similar worries, speculating on snow and ice disrupting the NC area.
For a venue like Bowman Gray—known for its passionate, grassroots atmosphere and sold-out crowds—this could be a double-edged sword. While the cold might deter some spectators, hardy fans could turn it into a legendary tale of endurance. Yet, with the series aiming to showcase its stars in a high-energy opener broadcast on FOX, any disruptions could dampen the momentum. As forecasts evolve in the coming days, teams will be glued to weather apps, hoping the storm fizzles out. After all, in racing, the only certainty is uncertainty—and this Clash might just become a battle against the elements as much as the competition.
Entry List
- #1 – Ross Chastain
- #2 – Austin Cindric
- #3 – Austin Dillon
- #4 – Noah Gragson
- #5 – Kyle Larson
- #6 – Corey LaJoie[6]
- #7 – Daniel Suárez
- #8 – Kyle Busch
- #9 – Chase Elliott
- 10 – Ty Dillon
- 11 – Denny Hamlin
- 12 – Ryan Blaney
- 16 – A. J. Allmendinger
- 17 – Chris Buescher
- 19 – Chase Briscoe
- 20 – Christopher Bell
- 21 – Josh Berry
- 22 – Joey Logano
- 23 – Bubba Wallace
- 24 – William Byron
- 34 – Todd Gilliland
- 35 – Riley Herbst
- 38 – Zane Smith
- 41 – Cole Custer
- 42 – John Hunter Nemechek
- 43 – Erik Jones
- 45 – Tyler Reddick
- 47 – Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
- 48 – Alex Bowman
- 50 – Burt Myers
- 51 – Cody Ware
- 54 – Ty Gibbs
- 60 – Ryan Preece
- 66 – Chad Finchum
- 71 – Michael McDowell
- 77 – Carson Hocevar
- 88 – Connor Zilisch (R)
- 97 – Shane van Gisbergen