Get ready for an adrenaline-pumping showdown! The 2026 Cook Out Clash is set to take place at Bowman Gray Stadium, and it's shaping up to be an event you won't want to miss. On Wednesday, the NASCAR Cup Series drivers will hit the track for two practice sessions lasting eight minutes each, followed by an exciting group qualifying event at 1:30 p.m. ET, which fans can catch on the FOX Sports App, MRN Radio, or SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. During qualifying, drivers will have a four-minute window to log as many laps as they can in order to secure their qualifying times. For those with access to FS1, the practice and qualifying sessions will be available for viewing through the FOX Sports App.
Due to winter weather conditions forcing the cancellation of heat races, the stakes are high as only the top 20 fastest drivers from qualifying will automatically secure their spots in the main event – a thrilling 200-lap race scheduled for 6 p.m. ET, accessible via FOX, MRN Radio, HBO Max, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. But that’s not all! Two additional drivers will earn their place in the main event through the Last Chance Qualifier Race, which will take place at 4:30 p.m. ET. Here’s where it gets intense: the top finishers in this race will fill the last two starting positions, while the 23rd spot will be granted to the highest-ranked driver from the 2025 standings who didn’t qualify through the LCQ.
Practice Groups
GROUP 1
- AJ Allmendinger
- Todd Gilliland
- Zane Smith
- Connor Zilisch
- Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
- Daniel Suárez
- Cole Custer
- Ty Dillon
- Noah Gragson
- Riley Herbst
- Ryan Preece
- Chad Finchum
- Burt Myers (i)
GROUP 2
- Alex Bowman
- Austin Cindric
- Austin Dillon
- Josh Berry
- Chris Buescher
- Cody Ware
- Ty Gibbs
- Corey LaJoie
- Kyle Busch
- Michael McDowell
- Carson Hocevar
- Erik Jones
- John Hunter Nemechek
GROUP 3
- Kyle Larson
- Denny Hamlin
- Chase Briscoe
- William Byron
- Christopher Bell
- Ryan Blaney
- Joey Logano
- Chase Elliott
- Tyler Reddick
- Ross Chastain
- Shane van Gisbergen
Qualifying Groups
GROUP 1
- Cole Custer
- Ty Dillon
- Noah Gragson
- Riley Herbst
- Ryan Preece
- Chad Finchum
- Burt Myers (i)
- AJ Allmendinger
- Todd Gilliland
- Zane Smith
- Connor Zilisch
- Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
- Daniel Suárez
GROUP 2
- Ty Gibbs
- Corey LaJoie
- Kyle Busch
- Michael McDowell
- Carson Hocevar
- Erik Jones
- John Hunter Nemechek
- Alex Bowman
- Austin Cindric
- Austin Dillon
- Josh Berry
- Chris Buescher
- Denny Hamlin
GROUP 3
- Joey Logano
- Chase Elliott
- Tyler Reddick
- Ross Chastain
- Shane van Gisbergen
- Kyle Larson
- Chase Briscoe
- William Byron
- Christopher Bell
- Ryan Blaney
Qualifying Results
FINISH
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
Last Chance Qualifier Lineup
START
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
Cook Out Clash Lineup
START
1 Fastest in qualifying
2 Second in qualifying
3 Third in qualifying
4 Fourth in qualifying
5 Fifth in qualifying
6 Sixth in qualifying
7 Seventh in qualifying
8 Eighth in qualifying
9 Ninth in qualifying
10 10th in qualifying
11 11th in qualifying
12 12th in qualifying
13 13th in qualifying
14 14th in qualifying
15 15th in qualifying
16 16th in qualifying
17 17th in qualifying
18 18th in qualifying
19 19th in qualifying
20 20th in qualifying
21 LCQ winner
22 LCQ second place
23 2025 final standings
A Must-Watch Event!
This year's Cook Out Clash promises more than just the thrill of competition; it’s a chance for fans to witness fierce rivalries and unexpected outcomes. With the ever-changing dynamics of racing, how do you think these drivers will fare under pressure? Will the favorites live up to the hype, or will there be surprises in store? Join the conversation and share your thoughts below!
