A general view of Winston Salem in the background during the 75-lap Last Chance qualifying race for the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium. Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

Sleet comes down during NASCAR Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium

By Samuel Stubbs | Last updated Feb 4, 2026 8:06 PM ET

A race postponed by three days due to a historic snowstorm in North Carolina saw more bizarre weather on Wednesday.

NASCAR's Cook Out Clash hit the halfway mark with Ty Gibbs in the lead, leading to a halftime break at lap 100 of 200. And while the first half of Wednesday's race was dry, Mother Nature threw a curveball as the end of the break neared.

NASCAR sees sleet at Bowman Gray

As temperatures dropped and NASCAR prepared to start the second half of the race, sleet began to fall in Winston-Salem. A slight rain shower also occurred, forcing teams to put wet-weather tires on.

But the green flag still didn't come out as drivers ran caution lap after caution lap with sleet coming down.

“Hey, Mother Nature … wanted to touch base again …” #HotPass pic.twitter.com/e6BvsLJfqI
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) February 5, 2026

An accumulation of standing water near the top of the track led NASCAR to bring the cars back into the pits so track-drying crews could push the standing water off the track.

The wet-weather tires NASCAR employs at road courses and short tracks would be able to run during light rain, damp conditions or slightly icy conditions like NASCAR is seeing on Wednesday.

The major concern regarding racing in wet weather would be a glare from the slick, shiny surface of the track and any spray from other cars on the track.

NASCAR has previously used wet-weather tires at other ovals, including Richmond, New Hampshire and North Wilkesboro.

At the very least, the second half of the Cook Out Clash will be unpredictable.

Samuel Stubbs

Hailing from the same neck of the woods as NASCAR Hall of Famer Mark Martin, Samuel has been covering NASCAR for Yardbarker since February 2024. He has been a member of the National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA) since October of 2024. When he’s not writing about racing, Samuel covers Arkansas Razorback basketball for Yardbarker

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