NASCAR confirms 2026 Clash will remain in United States

Ben Kennedy, NASCAR executive vice president, chief venue and racing innovation officer, said Tuesday that the 2026 Clash will “more than likely” take place in the United States, per Dustin Long of NBC Sports. Kennedy added that the season-opening exhibition could go international at some point but for now, will remain in the U.S.

NASCAR‘s annual exhibition two weeks before the Daytona 500 took place at Daytona International Speedway from its inception in 1979 until 2021. The LA Memorial Coliseum hosted the 2022-24 events before NASCAR decided to take it to Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston Salem, N.C., this season. 

Bowman Gray Stadium ‘early favorite’ to host 2026 Clash

While nothing is official, Adam Stern of Sports Business Journal reported that Bowman Gray is the “early favorite” to host the Clash next season. NASCAR previously had discussions about bringing the race to Brazil.

“Now, five people familiar with the matter have called Bowman Gray the favorite to land the event again next year, even though NASCAR has been considering taking the race elsewhere in 2026, including possibly internationally,” Stern wrote in February. “In August of last year, some NASCAR executives reportedly met with representatives in Brazil about bringing the Clash to São Paolo in 2026.

“NASCAR declined to comment, and it’s seen as early in the process. But keeping the event at Bowman Gray for another year would be a sign of NASCAR’s continued commitment to its roots, and a signal that it still will reward smaller communities across the U.S. when they show up in force for events.”

Chase Elliott talks future of the Clash

Bowman Gray had not hosted a Cup Series race since Bobby Allison’s controversial win over Richard Petty in 1971. Chase Elliott won the 2025 Clash at Bowman Gray. Eliott said at the time he wouldn’t mind seeing NASCAR take the Clash abroad.

“I kind of like Ryan’s [Blaney] thought of potentially getting outside of the United States,” Elliott said. “I know we’re kind of testing the waters a little bit with the Mexico City thing this year, but I think the real test would be going overseas. And this race would be a good opportunity to do something like that, that wouldn’t be, you know, committing to a points race somewhere like, a long ways away.

“So, I like the idea of using it as a potential stepping stone to help grow the sport. And I almost feel like if we’re not going to do that, I’m not even sure that it’s totally necessary, either. I think it’s a good opportunity to shake things down and kind of get in the groove, but we just ran a month and a half ago, it wasn’t that long ago, either. So, I think for me, I’m not saying one way or the other. I think everything’s on the table and I’d be good either way. Whether it’s here, Daytona, if they want to do it in Europe, if they want to not do it at all, I’d be fine with any of the above.”