Why NASCAR's national series should return to Bowman Gray Stadium

One look at Bowman Gray Stadium on Sunday night told you everything you need to know. 

The legendary quarter-mile in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, has been a proving ground for over 80 years, and its fans remain some of the most passionate race fans in the country. 

When presented with the opportunity to watch the stars of the NASCAR Cup Series take on "The Madhouse" for the first time since 1971, 17,000 rowdy fans packed the grandstands and were treated to a show for the ages. 

In true Bowman Gray fashion, multiple stack-ups and incidents only possible at ‘The Madhouse’ took place. In what was supposed to be a retaliatory act, Ty Gibbs used Justin Haley’s Chevrolet as a ramp. William Byron fell victim to one of Bowman Gray’s most unique characteristics, the wall that juts out on the exit of turn four sent him spinning right in front of race leader Burt Myers. 

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. found out how passionate the Bowman Gray faithful are. After making contact with 11-time Bowman Gray track champion and 97-time BGS winner Burt Myers, Stenhouse Jr. was treated to a flock of birds from fans who were none too happy with how a local favorite was raced. 

The main event itself was an example of classic short-track racing. Denny Hamlin used tire conservation to his advantage to take the lead from Chase Elliott just before halfway, and Elliott had to hold off a hard-charging Ryan Blaney to win the race. 

Elliott’s spirited burnout gave fans one more thing to cheer about before the night was out. 

In and of itself, the 2025 Clash at Bowman Gray was a highly entertaining race that featured all of the characteristics that have made the facility a fan favorite. If you take a deeper look, however, it was much more. 

With NASCAR’s plans for Bowman Gray and the Clash unknown for 2026 and beyond, Sunday’s race may have served as an impromptu audition for the track to return to the NASCAR schedule in the future. 

With the return of other historic North Carolina venues in North Wilkesboro and Rockingham to the NASCAR schedule in recent years, NASCAR’s national series once more becoming a staple of the track’s calendar doesn’t seem far-fetched. 

With NASCAR reportedly exploring potential international sites for the Clash moving forward, a return to Bowman Gray for the Clash in a few years could be a viable option. If NASCAR wants a points race to be held at Bowman Gray, the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series could be the next NASCAR series to race at 'The Madhouse.'

Regardless of which NASCAR series traverses the 0.25-mile track next, one thing is clear: Bowman Gray Stadium and the Winston-Salem community deserve a major NASCAR race.