Kyle Larson and Josh Berry secured spots in The Clash by winning the last chance qualifying race at Bowman Gray Stadium. The 75-lap race was for drivers who didn't make the main event in Saturday's heat races. Larson, driving for Hendrick Motorsports, overcame a challenging Chevrolet to claim victory after his team made significant improvements overnight. Berry, representing Wood Brothers Racing, finished second, earning a spot in the main event at the historic quarter-mile oval.
Austin Dillon, a local racer with deep ties to the venue, finished third, narrowly missing out on a spot in The Clash. Richard Childress, Dillon's grandfather, reminisced about his childhood experiences at Bowman Gray, where he sold peanuts and popcorn in the grandstands.
Ryan Blaney secured the third spot in The Clash as the highest points-scoring driver from 2024 not otherwise qualified. The event, featuring 23 cars, is a non-points exhibition that was traditionally held at Daytona International Speedway but was moved to Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in 2022 before returning to Bowman Gray this year.
Bowman Gray Stadium, known for its intense racing atmosphere, hosted the Cup Series from 1958 to 1971 and now serves as a venue for local racing and Winston-Salem State University football games. Despite its reputation for heated rivalries, the lead-up to The Clash saw no altercations during the five heat races.
Two Bowman Gray regulars, Tim Brown and Burt Myers, made their Cup Series debuts in an attempt to qualify for The Clash. Myers, determined to seize the opportunity, promised to race aggressively if a transfer position was within reach. However, neither driver managed to secure a spot in the main event, with Myers crashing after contact with Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
The move of The Clash to Bowman Gray Stadium represents a nod to grassroots racing, highlighting NASCAR's commitment to embracing its roots. The event continues to captivate fans with its unique setting and the thrill of seeing top drivers compete in a historic venue.
