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NASCAR is facing a problem at Bowman Gray, but it’s a good one

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For forty-two straight years, from 1979 to 2020, the NASCAR Cup Series preseason Clash exhibition race took place annually at Daytona International Speedway. However, this year, the Clash will be held for its fourth different track in just six years on Sunday night.

2021 saw the event shifted to Daytona’s interior road course. For the next three years, it took place in Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. This year, however, Bowman Gray Stadium will be its new venue, a place that hasn’t hosted any Cup Series race since 1971.

Returning to the Winston-Salem, North Carolina oval after four turns and a quarter mile (0.402 kilometers) for an exhibition race has sparked an energy that NASCAR hasn’t felt during preseason for quite some time. Two weeks before the season-opening Daytona 500, there’s a palpable sense of excitement in the atmosphere.

In his conversation with Beyond the Flag, Ross Chastain expressed: “The word you see is ‘excitement.’ It’s because this is the first race and there’s simply so much anticipation. There will inevitably be many feelings of disappointment among several people throughout the season, but at the moment, that’s not in sight.

Regardless of whether they have ample resources or are struggling financially, every race team shares the same eagerness to hit the track. From the defending champion to the car at the bottom of the points standings, everyone is pumped, and that’s what racers are all about – looking ahead. We don’t dwell on the past. Instead, we try to learn from our mistakes, focusing on progression. More often than not, we face losses, but the Clash offers a chance for a fresh start.

That excitement also extends to the fans.

Numerous enthusiasts have been eagerly anticipating NASCAR’s comeback to “The Madhouse.” However, due to restricted seating availability, it might prove challenging for several fans to secure their spots.

Just over two months after the conclusion of the 2024 season, NASCAR declared that the upcoming race had been sold out. With a seating capacity of merely 17,000, Bowman Gray Stadium managed to fill every seat.

Chastain commented, “Being able to compete at such a historic venue as Bowman Gray, which I’ve only had the chance to visit once before and found it amazing, is quite exciting. The crowd is expected to be massive. With no extra space available, one could say it’s incredibly under-capacity.

As a gaming enthusiast putting on my NASCAR spectator hat, I’ve got to say, it’s a sweet dilemma for them – a problem they’d rather have in the grand scheme of things.

The speaker mentioned that there won’t be enough seats for a Cup race, which will lead to increased demand. This means some spectators might not be able to attend on the actual race day. However, he believes this situation could positively impact the sport in the long run. He advised that people should keep an eye out and act quickly when purchasing tickets, as those who manage to get them will be pleased they did so. The speaker also suggested that the event is going to be exciting.

Previously held races were not completely sold out. However, it’s important to note that Daytona can accommodate up to 101,500 spectators, and the Coliseum has a capacity of 77,500. Even under normal conditions, races at these venues typically attracted more than 17,000 fans, suggesting they were well-attended events.

As a dedicated racing enthusiast, I found myself echoing the sentiments of NASCAR when they made their triumphant return to the historic North Wilkesboro Speedway for the 2023 All-Star Race. This iconic track comfortably accommodates an audience of around 30,000 fans, much like myself who were eagerly awaiting the action.

When NASCAR goes back to its original beginnings, it often results in positive outcomes. Filling the stands to capacity is one such example, although this might mean some spectators miss out on the action from the sidelines.

Tune in to Fox for the live broadcast of Cook Out Clash starting at 8:00 p.m. ET on Sunday, February 2, from Bowman Gray Stadium. Sign up for FuboTV’s free trial now so you don’t miss a single moment of the excitement!

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2025-02-02 16:02

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