WINSTON-SALEM -- The 2025 NASCAR season unofficially gets underway on Sunday night, as some of the top drivers head to the legendary Bowman Gray Stadium for the Cook Out Clash. After three years racing at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, NASCAR elected to move its premier preseason event to a more traditional venue.

Get acquainted with Bowman Gray Stadium, host of the Cook Out Clash — a race that marks the unofficial start of the NASCAR Cup Series season.

NASCAR returns to its roots Sunday with the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium, which last played host to a Cup Series event more than 50 years ago. After three years on a temporary short track at the Los Angeles Coliseum, NASCAR has moved The Clash to the 0.25-mile track in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, known as “The Madhouse.”

NASCAR returns the weekend of Feb. 1 with The Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium before drivers prepare for the iconic Daytona 500 and the 2025 season.

Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, N.C., kicks off the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season. The much-hyped NASCAR Clash at Bowman Gray exhibition is at the sport’s shortest and oldest track. Bowman Gray is a quarter-mile bullring that’s been hosting races for 86 years. The race replaces the Clash at the Coliseum that was held in Los Angeles.

NASCAR's preseason Clash moves to the sport's roots this year. Bowman Gray Stadium will serve as host. Two weeks later brings the Daytona 500.