Get ready for a thrilling showdown at Bowman Gray Stadium, where the 2026 Cook Out Clash is set to ignite the track with heart-pounding action! But here’s where it gets controversial: With winter weather canceling the heat races, the lineup for the main event is now determined by a high-stakes qualifying session—a move that’s sure to spark debate among fans. Is this the fairest way to set the field, or does it leave too much to chance? Let’s dive in.
On Wednesday, February 4, 2026, NASCAR Cup Series drivers will hit the track for two 8-minute practice sessions, followed by a group qualifying session starting at 1:30 p.m. ET. Fans can catch all the action live on the FOX Sports App (with FS1 subscription), MRN Radio, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. During qualifying, drivers will have just four minutes to set their fastest lap, running as many times as they can within that window. And this is the part most people miss: The pressure is on, as only the top 20 drivers from qualifying will automatically secure their spot in the 200-lap main event, airing at 6 p.m. ET on FOX, HBO Max, and more.
For those who don’t make the cut, there’s one last shot: the 75-lap Last Chance Qualifier Race at 4:30 p.m. ET. The top two finishers here will claim the 21st and 22nd starting positions in the main event. The 23rd and final spot? That goes to the highest-ranked driver from the 2025 final standings who didn’t qualify through the LCQ. Bold question: Is this system truly fair, or does it favor speed over consistency? Weigh in below!
Here’s how the practice and qualifying groups are set up, with a mix of seasoned veterans and rising stars:
Practice Groups:
GROUP 1: AJ Allmendinger, Todd Gilliland, Zane Smith, Connor Zilisch, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Daniel Suárez, Cole Custer, Ty Dillon, Noah Gragson, Riley Herbst, Ryan Preece, Chad Finchum, Burt Myers (i)
GROUP 2: Alex Bowman, Austin Cindric, Austin Dillon, Josh Berry, Chris Buescher, Cody Ware, Ty Gibbs, Corey LaJoie, Kyle Busch, Michael McDowell, Carson Hocevar, Erik Jones
GROUP 3: Kyle Larson, Denny Hamlin, Chase Briscoe, William Byron, Christopher Bell, Ryan Blaney, Joey Logano, Chase Elliott, Tyler Reddick, Ross Chastain, Bubba Wallace, Shane van Gisbergen, John Hunter Nemechek
Qualifying Groups:
GROUP 1: Cole Custer, Ty Dillon, Noah Gragson, Riley Herbst, Ryan Preece, Chad Finchum, Burt Myers (i), AJ Allmendinger, Todd Gilliland, Zane Smith
GROUP 2: Corey LaJoie, Kyle Busch, Michael McDowell, Carson Hocevar, Erik Jones, Alex Bowman, Austin Cindric, Chase Briscoe, Austin Dillon, Josh Berry
GROUP 3: Chase Elliott, Tyler Reddick, Ross Chastain, Bubba Wallace, Shane van Gisbergen, John Hunter Nemechek, Kyle Larson, Denny Hamlin, William Byron, Christopher Bell, Ryan Blaney, Cody Ware, Daniel Suárez
The lineup for the Cook Out Clash will be determined as follows:
- Positions 1-20: Fastest qualifiers
- Positions 21-22: Top two finishers in the LCQ
- Position 23: Highest driver in 2025 final standings not in LCQ
Controversial take: Could this format favor younger, risk-taking drivers over seasoned veterans? Let us know your thoughts in the comments! One thing’s for sure—this event is shaping up to be one for the history books. Don’t miss it!
