After fine-tuning their vehicles during practice and addressing minor water issues caused by melting snow, the qualifying rounds commenced for the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray.
In this competition format, the top 20 quickest drivers secure direct entry into the main race, while those finishing in positions 21 through 38 must compete in a last-chance qualifier. Only the leading two finishers from this LCQ will earn the right to participate in the pre-season exhibition event scheduled for Wednesday evening.
The qualifying process was organized into three distinct groups based on the owners’ points standings.
During Round 1, Ryan Preece set the benchmark in the initial group, clocking a rapid lap of 14.234 seconds. This impressive performance came after he shifted owner points with Rick Ware Racing’s No. 51, placing him in 36th in the standings as the 2026 season approaches.
In the subsequent group, 19-year-old Connor Zilisch, who recently finished second overall in the Rolex 24 at Daytona, came within a mere 0.003 seconds of matching Preece’s time. However, Preece maintained his lead.
As Round 2 commenced, a shift in the leaderboard occurred. Preece slipped to fourth place as Ty Gibbs recorded the fastest lap overall with a remarkable 14.145 seconds on the quarter-mile track. Chris Buescher emerged as the quickest driver from Group B in this round, yet Gibbs held a slight advantage for the provisional pole position.
Round 3 featured the top competitors from the 2025 championship, but Gibbs continued to dominate, even as Bubba Wallace surged into second place with a lap time of 14.152 seconds.
The final group of qualifiers ultimately saw Gibbs dethroned by the formidable force of Hendrick Motorsports. Reigning champion Kyle Larson soared to the top of the leaderboard with an outstanding lap of 14.137 seconds, while his teammate William Byron secured the second position with a time of 14.140 seconds.
Gibbs will start in third place, followed by Chase Briscoe in fourth and Christopher Bell in fifth. The remainder of the top ten features Denny Hamlin, Bubba Wallace, Chris Buescher, Ross Chastain, and Tyler Reddick.
Defending Clash champion Chase Elliott, Carson Hocevar, Kyle Busch, Joey Logano, Austin Dillon, Ryan Blaney, Shane van Gisbergen, and Preece follow closely behind.
Zilisch and Daniel Suarez clinched the final two spots in the main event, finishing in 19th and 20th, respectively. Meanwhile, Josh Berry and Michael McDowell were the first two drivers unable to qualify for the feature, placing them on the front row for the LCQ.
In the LCQ, Berry emerged victorious, securing his place in the main event alongside Austin Cindric, who also capitalized on the points provisional.
Photos from the Bowman Gray race highlight the excitement and competitiveness of the event.
