Cook Out Clash hopefuls with past experience at Bowman Gray Stadium

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — After 54 years, the NASCAR Cup Series makes its return to the famous “Madhouse,” Bowman Gray Stadium, for the Cook Out Clash.

The last Cup Series race held at the quarter-mile track was in 1971, won by NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee Bobby Allison.

While that was the last race at the stadium for NASCAR’s top touring series, before this weekend’s return, two other NASCAR touring series have raced at the famed track since then:

• NASCAR K&N Pro Series East: 2011-2015
• NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour: 2005-2016

Out of the 39 entries for this weekend’s Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium, 12 of them raced in those events. Those drivers are:

Alex Bowman, Tim Brown, William Byron, Cole Custer, Chase Elliott, Justin Haley, Kyle Larson, Burt Myers, Ryan Preece, Daniel Suarez, Bubba Wallace and Cody Ware. 

The following lists include most races, wins and best average finish among those drivers in those races:

MOST NASCAR TOURING SERIES STARTS AT BOWMAN GRAY STADIUM:

1. Burt Myers (12)
2. Tim Brown (8)
3. Ryan Preece (3)
4. Daniel Suarez (3)
5. Chase Elliott (2)
6. Bubba Wallace (2)

MOST NASCAR TOURING SERIES WINS AT BGS: 

1. Burt Myers (3)
2. Ryan Preece (1)

BEST AVERAGE NASCAR TOURING SERIES FINISH AT BGS:

1. Bubba Wallace (4)
2. Ryan Preece (4.66)
3. Burt Myers (5.25)
4. Tim Brown (5.62)
5. Daniel Suarez (11)
6. Chase Elliott (21)

OUTLOOK

Bubba Wallace, who has respectable finishes of sixth and second in his time at Bowman Gray Stadium, is a favorite at the track.

Modified legends Ryan Preece, Burt Myers and Tim Brown are also favorites to watch out for.

Only time will tell who will prevail on Cook Out Clash but some nice nostalgia will be omnipresent this weekend at a track that is older than NASCAR itself.