Start your engines, NASCAR fans—the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series officially gets underway this Sunday with the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium. While this exhibition race doesn't count toward the season standings,

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.”

Bowman Gray Stadium is famous for its viral videos of short track fights close quarters racing. From 1958 until 1971, the Winston-Salem facility hosted 29 races at NASCAR’s top series. The 30th will come this weekend with the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray.