Get ready for a thrilling showdown at Bowman Gray Stadium, where the 2026 Cook Out Clash is set to ignite the track with heart-pounding NASCAR action! But here's where it gets intense: With winter weather canceling the heat races, the stakes are higher than ever for drivers vying for a spot in the main event. Here’s how it’s all going down.
On Wednesday, February 4, 2026, NASCAR Cup Series drivers will hit the track for two 8-minute practice sessions, followed by a group qualifying session starting at 1:30 p.m. ET. Fans can catch all the action live on the FOX Sports App (available to FS1 subscribers), MRN Radio, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. During qualifying, drivers have just four minutes to set their fastest lap, running as many times as they can within that window. And this is the part most people miss: The top 20 drivers from qualifying automatically secure their spots in the 200-lap main event, which kicks off at 6 p.m. ET on FOX, HBO Max, and more.
But the drama doesn’t end there. The Last Chance Qualifier Race at 4:30 p.m. ET gives drivers one final shot to make it into the main event. The top two finishers here will claim the 21st and 22nd starting positions. Here’s where it gets controversial: The 23rd and final spot goes to the highest-ranked driver from the 2025 final standings who didn’t qualify through the LCQ. Is this the fairest way to fill the field, or does it favor past performance over current potential? Let us know what you think in the comments!
Below, you’ll find the detailed practice and qualifying group assignments, as well as the lineup structure for the Cook Out Clash. Whether you’re a seasoned NASCAR fan or a newcomer, this event promises edge-of-your-seat excitement. Don’t miss it—and join the debate: Should the final spot be determined by past standings or another method entirely?
Practice Groups
GROUP 1: AJ Allmendinger, Todd Gilliland, Zane Smith, Connor Zilisch, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Daniel Suárez, Cole Custer, Ty Dillon, Noah Gragson, Riley Herbst, Ryan Preece, Chad Finchum, Burt Myers (i)
GROUP 2: Alex Bowman, Austin Cindric, Austin Dillon, Josh Berry, Chris Buescher, Cody Ware, Ty Gibbs, Corey LaJoie, Kyle Busch, Michael McDowell, Carson Hocevar, Erik Jones, John Hunter Nemechek
GROUP 3: Kyle Larson, Denny Hamlin, Chase Briscoe, William Byron, Christopher Bell, Ryan Blaney, Joey Logano, Chase Elliott, Tyler Reddick, Ross Chastain, Bubba Wallace, Shane van Gisbergen
Qualifying Groups
GROUP 1: Cole Custer, Ty Dillon, Noah Gragson, Riley Herbst, Ryan Preece, Chad Finchum, Burt Myers (i), AJ Allmendinger, Todd Gilliland, Zane Smith
GROUP 2: Corey LaJoie, Kyle Busch, Michael McDowell, Carson Hocevar, Erik Jones, John Hunter Nemechek, Alex Bowman, Austin Cindric, Chase Briscoe
GROUP 3: Chase Elliott, Tyler Reddick, Ross Chastain, Bubba Wallace, Shane van Gisbergen, Kyle Larson, Denny Hamlin, William Byron, Christopher Bell, Ryan Blaney, Josh Berry, Chris Buescher, Cody Ware
Cook Out Clash Lineup Structure
Positions 1-20: Determined by qualifying results
Position 21: Winner of the Last Chance Qualifier Race
Position 22: Second-place finisher in the Last Chance Qualifier Race
Position 23: Highest driver in 2025 final standings not already qualified
Mark your calendars and tune in—this is one race you won’t want to miss!
