The 2026 NASCAR season is scheduled to start this weekend with the Clash at Bowman Gray in Winston-Salem, N.C. However, the weather has wreaked havoc.
Wintry weather is not something that the Piedmont Triad region handles well. Just look at last weekend, when an ice storm descended on the region. It took days to get the snow and ice off of the roadways. In some cases, it was still there when it snowed again.
Outside of Winston-Salem, the Asian Le Mans Series has its second doubleheader weekend of the season at Dubai Autodrome. Finally, the Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals begins at Volusia Speedway Park.
NASCAR Clash TV Schedule
- NASCAR Cup Series Practice: 1:30 p.m. ET Wednesday on FOX Sports App
- NASCAR Cup Series Qualifying: 2:30 p.m. ET Wednesday on FOX Sports App
- NASCAR Cup Series Last Chance Qualifier: 4:30 p.m. ET Wednesday on FOX
- NASCAR Cup Series Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray: 6 p.m. ET Wednesday on FOX
It should be noted that the full schedule for this weekend has already changed substantially. Originally, it was going to be a two-day show with practice, heat races, last chance qualifiers and the Cook Out Madhouse Classic on Saturday, then the actual Clash Sunday night.
Alas, that was not in the cards. A Nor’easter is forecast to dumped more than eight inches of snow on Winston-Salem Saturday. The initial forecast forced NASCAR to wipe out the Saturday schedule Thursday. The Cook Out Madhouse Classic has been postponed to an unknown date, while the heat races were outright cancelled.
The rest of the NASCAR schedule was moved to Sunday. On-track activity would have begun with Practice at 2 p.m. ET on FOX Sports 2.
The last chance qualifier would have aired live on FOX starting at 6 p.m. ET. Coverage of the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray would have begun with NASCAR RaceDay at 7:30 p.m. ET on FOX, while race coverage would have started at 8 p.m. ET.
At least, that was the original plan. Once the snow showed up, it didn’t take long to see that the plan was not viable. Saturday morning (Jan. 31), NASCAR, in concert with the North Carolina Department of Transportation and the City of Winston-Salem, postponed the Clash to Monday.
The second plan was to have practice start at 11 a.m. ET Monday with live coverage on FS2. Qualifying would follow shortly afterwards.
Coverage of the Last Chance Qualifier would air on FOX starting at 4:30 p.m. ET, while race coverage would start at 6 p.m. ET.
That plan was ripped up after NASCAR and the local authorities saw how much snow had fallen and how unlikely the roads could be cleared in time for a Monday race.
Now, the plan is to race on Wednesday. Practice is now scheduled to begin at 1:30 p.m. ET with coverage on FOXSports.com and the FOX Sports App. Qualifying will begin shortly afterwards. FS2 is airing live coverage of LIV Golf from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Wednesday, hence why practice and qualifying won’t be on linear TV.
FOX coverage will once again begin with the Last Chance Qualifier at 4:30 p.m. ET. Race coverage starts at 6 p.m. ET with the green flag around 6:15 p.m. ET.
Needless to say, all of this should still be taken with a salt mine. Everything noted here is completely dependent on not only NASCAR getting the track and the grounds cleared of snow, but the roads in the Piedmont Triad being cleared and passable as well so that fans and the crewmembers can safely get to the venue.
If that cannot be done, then the whole event would likely be postponed to Tuesday, Wednesday, or even next weekend in order to get it in prior to Daytona. NASCAR has stated that they’re more than willing to wait.
What’s the Weather Going to Be Like?
Cold by North Carolina standards.
The average high in Winston-Salem this time of year is 50°, weather that would be warmer than what they had last year. All of the delays won’t get the temperature up to that point.
With the race now moved to Wednesday, temperatures will be warmer, but not up to normal rates. The high temperature is currently forecast to be 43°. However, you now have another issue to deal with.
There is a 70% chance of rain Wednesday. Swell.
Luckily, NASCAR has instituted the use of wet-weather tires on short tracks. Don’t be surprised if those come out to play for part of all of the day and night.
The rain will also take care of the remaining snow and ice on the local roadways. Given the current infrastructure for snow removal in the Piedmont Triad, there’s a chance that some of it will still be around by the time the rain comes, even with 40° weather on Tuesday.
Race time temperatures should be around 40°. If it’s raining, it probably won’t be a very enjoyable experience for fans (bring warm clothing and a poncho/rain suit since they won’t allow umbrellas). It is also possible that NASCAR won’t want to race on the wet tires with rain actually falling.
Having said all of that, the refreezing issue is still going to be trouble. Once the rain stops, the temperature is forecast to get back below freezing Wednesday night, so it might get treacherous for fans to get home after the race.
Phil Allaway has three primary roles at Frontstretch. He's the manager of the Frontstretch email newsletter that publishes Monday-Friday and occasionally on weekends. He keeps TV broadcasters honest with weekly editions of Couch Potato Tuesday and serves as the Frontstretch Sports Car racing editor.
Outside of Frontstretch, Phil is the press officer for Lebanon Valley Speedway in West Lebanon, N.Y. He covers all the action on the high-banked dirt track from regular DIRTcar Modified racing to occasional visits from touring series such as the Super DIRTcar Series.
With an average high of 50 degrees it’s a poor choice for a Feb 1st event. Probably won’t be the last bad decision NASCAR makes this season.
I’m sure the NA$CAR brain trust have the figures to back up their decision. I mean, what are the odds they made the wrong decision or could have made the right one?
Its in the 60’s here in southern California…. Just saying, LOL.
I’d rather see the Clash back at Daytona, either oval or road course. Good luck to NASCAR and all the teams and fans this weekend.
The Clash should be back at Daytona and could have honored Dale Sr as well this yr
I wonder how the tires will react to the weather? I don’t think the tire tests were conducted in these temperatures.