Dale Earnhardt Jr., Clint Bowyer and Tony Stewart will drive the Next Gen car in a test at Bowman Gray Stadium on Tuesday, Oct. 26, NASCAR announced Monday (Oct. 25).
The test comes in an effort to prepare the car for The Clash at the Coliseum, a stadium race taking place at the iconic Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Feb. 6. Bowman Gray is a similar style to the track, which will aid in yielding results for comparison to the LA Coliseum.
According to FOX Sports’ Bob Pockrass, Stewart will be in the car to start the day and perform the Goodyear tire test while Earnhardt Jr. and Bowyer, both of whom are now broadcasters, will drive the vehicle to learn its capabilities.
Bowman Gray test Tuesday with Next Gen is closed to public. One car. Tony Stewart to do Goodyear test in the morning. DaleJr and Clint Bowyer will take some laps in afternoon in an event that will be be open to media. Intent is to determine tire for Clash at LA Memorial Coliseum.
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) October 25, 2021
Bowman Gray Stadium is a flat, asphalt oval located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The quarter-mile track/stadium has hosted several events, including auto racing, football and horse racing and has held NASCAR-sanctioned tracks since 1949. The test on Oct. 26 will be the first time since 1971 that Cup cars have been on track.
The Clash at the Coliseum was revealed with the 2022 Cup schedule on Sept. 15, marking the first time NASCAR will run at the venue.
NASCAR’s most recent test took place on Oct. 11-12 at the Charlotte ROVAL, hosting the largest field of cars participating in the test.
Entering his fifth year with Frontstretch, Luken Glover is the author of The Underdog House, shedding light on the motivation and performance of NASCAR's dark horse teams as they strive to fight to the top. Additionally, Glover reports for the site at various events, and he contributes in the video editing department.
A 2023 graduate of the University of the Cumberlands, Glover is a middle school math and PE teacher, as well as a basketball coach. He is passionate about serving in his church, playing/coaching a wide variety of sports, and researching motorsports history.