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NASCAR's return to Bowman Gray a glimpse of the past amidst modernity
If NASCAR's season-opening Clash is an attempt to show fans something they wouldn't normally get to see, holding it at Bowman Gray Stadium is a home run venue.
The quarter-mile track hasn't hosted the NASCAR Cup Series since 1971, but it's return as the host of the exhibition race is a welcome sight for fans that love both short-track racing and old-school NASCAR.
Known as "The Madhouse", the facility has long had a reputation for bringing out broiling hot tempers among the drivers that traverse it on a weekly basis, and it being a quarter-mile long, there's hardly ever any room for you to separate yourself from the pack.
The inclusion of Bowman Gray on the 2025 schedule shines a light on a topic that divides fans like no other — should NASCAR fully embrace modernity, shying away from grassroots tracks in the Carolinas, or should it strive to present a new, modern-day image while also providing a product that mirrors its classic counterpart?
To its credit, NASCAR has successfully pulled off the latter of the two options. Bring back gems such as Bowman Gray and North Wilkesboro have reignited interest from fans who had previously stepped away, while modern ventures, such as street races and NASCAR's Next-Gen car have drawn the line between your grandfather's NASCAR and the NASCAR of today.
Whether or not a physical, crash fest of a race inside of a football stadium in February appeals to you doesn't change the fact that embracing history is imperative to NASCAR remaining relevant in the present day, while also taking steps to ensure future growth.
NASCAR easily outpaces other major sporting leagues in terms of the average age of fans. It's no secret that the NASCAR crowd is largely composed of those aged 55 and up, and it's those longtime, diehard fans who have taken on the responsibility of raising the next generation of race fans.
Bringing back legacy venues keeps those longtime fans around long enough for them to share their love of NASCAR with the younger generations, who may find themselves more attached to the Chicago Street Race or an international race in Mexico City than North Wilkesboro or Rockingham.
They say that if you watch NASCAR long enough, things will always come full circle. For a sport doing all it can to entice a new generation and maintain longtime fans, a return to Bowman Gray represents much more than a one-off exhibition race at a facility fondly known as "The Madhouse."
More must-reads:
- Bowman Gray Stadium to play host for 2025 NASCAR Clash
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- The 'NASCAR All-Star race winners' quiz
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Jimmie Johnson Proud of NASCAR Going to San Diego for More Reasons Than One
Back when he was a teenager growing up in nearby El Cajon, California, Jimmie Johnson loved to surf off the beaches of San Diego. As he was riding the waves and hanging ten, off in the distance he’d see the massive Naval Base Coronado a.k.a. NBC. Because he had a number of family members who served in the U.S. military, Johnson would have considered joining the Navy several times in his youth if he had not gone on to become an auto racing star. That possibility was never lost on him, even after he became a big NASCAR star, as Johnson took part in numerous promotions and events involving the military. Next year, Johnson will get a chance to combine his love for his hometown, NASCAR, and the Navy, as NASCAR will hold its first-ever race on a military base when it holds an event on a temporary street course to be built on NBC. To say Johnson is looking forward to the event is an understatement. “With my connection, my grandfather serving, brother-in-law, friends, it’s just been close to my heart for a long time,” Johnson said. “To enter into the NASCAR space in the way that NASCAR as an industry honors men and women that serve, it’s just been a good collaboration of sorts. I feel fortunate to be in a series that is so focused on it. “With all that, it gives me great confidence as we come to San Diego and race on a military base that it will be done top-notch and be correct. “(I’m) excited to come back for personal and, I guess, professional reasons. I think NASCAR’s pre-race show, their intentionality around honoring men and women who serve or have served, I think they do it better than anybody. I can’t wait for them to shine again.” Racing on a naval base was a ‘no-brainer’ NASCAR Vice President Ben Kennedy, grandson of late NASCAR Chairman Bill France Jr., calls holding the race at Coronado “a no-brainer” given the long and successful relationship between the sport and the military. Among the more high-profile involvements is the annual honoring of current and former military members and their families prior to the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. While there’s a possibility that Johnson may try to find a ride in the Coronado event — after all, even though he’s technically retired, he still made two Cup starts this season — when he was first approached by NASCAR to give his insights on such a race, Johnson was all-in right away. “To a San Diegan, to hear those words, I’m just smiling, like no way, this really can happen,” said Johnson, who got some of his earliest racing action in the now-defunct El Cajon Speedway. “To see this all come together now, I am so excited to have a race back in my hometown.” While some may think racing on a naval base may be unusual, it’s actually not. The race will be held as part of the Navy’s 250th anniversary year, will serve as a great recruiting tool for both the Navy and NASCAR, and bring Cup, Xfinity, and Truck racing back to Southern California, which saw its last NASCAR event at Auto Club Speedway in 2023. “From everyone at NASCAR and their vision of growth, vision of being in Southern California doing something unique and different, credit to everybody at NASCAR for putting this together and being so adamant in San Diego being the destination and where the street circuit needs to go,” Johnson said.
Charlotte Hornets Reportedly Release 24-Year-Old Guard
Damion Baugh spent his rookie season in the NBA playing for the Charlotte Hornets. The 24-year-old had averages of 7.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.0 steals per contest while shooting 32.3% from the field in 15 games. According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, the Hornets will now waive Baugh. Via Scotto: "The Charlotte Hornets are waiving two-way player Damion Baugh, league sources told @hoopshype . Charlotte is waiving Baugh to clear a spot for the addition of Antonio Reeves on a two-way contract." ESPN's Shams Charania had first reported that the Hornets were signing Reeves. Via Charania: "The Charlotte Hornets are signing guard Antonio Reeves to a two-way NBA deal, sources tell ESPN. The 2024 Pelicans second-round pick averaged 6.9 points and 40% 3-point shooting in 44 games as a rookie last season."
Packers Could Replace Jaire Alexander With Player You Wouldn’t Believe
The Green Bay Packers released star cornerback Jaire Alexander earlier this offseason, which frustrated the fan base because they did so without an obvious solution. Packers fans have been clamoring for the team to sign veteran and former Defensive Player of the Year Stephon Gilmore, but Green Bay does not appear all that interested in doing so. But you know who could represent a possible replacement for Alexander? Wide receiver Bo Melton. Yes, you read that right: wide receiver Bo Melton. Melton has started Packers training camp as a cornerback, which could ultimately lead to the 26-year-old assuming a major role in Green Bay’s secondary. Why the position switch? Well, Melton was struggling finding playing time in the Packers’ receiving corps as it was. Now, Green Bay added Matthew Golden and Savon Williams into the equation, so the chances of him actually getting on the field as a receiver in 2025 are slim to none. Melton logged just eight catches for 91 yards last season, and in 2024, he finished with 16 receptions for 218 yards and a touchdown. The funny thing is, he actually has shown promise in very limited action, but there is simply no room for him. The Rutgers product seems to want to stay in Green Bay, hence his decision to flip to the other side of the ball. He knows he has no chance to play as a wide out. Why not utilize his athleticism as a cornerback? Of course, this does not necessarily mean that Melton will serve as Alexander’s primary replacement. In fact, it would be pretty concerning if the Packers choose not to bring in another corner between now and the start of the regular season. But hey, maybe Melton will be so impressive in camp that Green Bay will actually give him a look.
Raiders have whiffed on every recent major free-agent signing
The Las Vegas Raiders released defensive lineman Christian Wilkins on Thursday over a dispute regarding his recovery from a foot injury. The move comes just one year after he signed a massive four-year, $110M contract in free agency. Even worse, It continues what has been a disturbing trend of the Raiders completely whiffing on every major free-agent signing they have made since relocating from Oakland to Las Vegas prior to the 2020 season. Of the four highest-paid outside free agents they have made in the five years since that move, only one of them played more than one season with the Raiders before being let go, and none of them played more than two seasons. There is always a risk with free agency because you never truly know how a player is going to fit onto a new team, into a new system and how they will play until they actually put on the pads and start doing it. It's not uncommon for some of those big moves to end in disappointment. The concern for the Raiders is that all of their recent big moves have ended in disappointment, and it's a big part of why the team has had just one winning seasons over the past five seasons. Las Vegas mostly stayed out of the big-ticket free agent game this offseason, but still made some significant moves to change the organization. Along with hiring head coach Pete Carroll, they also acquired quarterback Geno Smith to provide some stability at a position that has been a consistent mess over the past few years. Carroll and the Raiders have big expectations this season, but the roster still has a lot of holes. The release of Wilkins on Thursday only adds another one that they may not have been expecting.
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