For the first time in decades, NASCAR returned to the legendary Bowman Gray Stadium, and the Clash weekend did not disappoint. From the moment the engines fired to the final lap, the tight quarters and short-track aggression lived up to the “Madhouse” reputation. The last chance qualifier set the tone for the evening and the Clash followed it up nicely as the Dawsonville Pool Room Siren got to ring for Chase Elliott’s victory Sunday evening.
Last Chance Qualifier
The LCQ gave the perfect appetizer for the main course any fan could have asked for. From three wide racing, chrome horn usage, and cars flying (yes they do that now), the precursor to the Clash created a very memorable non-award paying race.
One word to encapsulate the LCQ: Chaos.
The race’s longest green-flag stretch was 19 laps. Drivers fell from the front, to the back, and then back to the front as multiple spins and wrecks led to tight quarters of racing.
Kyle Larson and Josh Berry finished one-two respectively while Ryan Blaney earned the final transfer spot thanks to his 2nd place performance from last season.

The Clash Starting Grid
The Clash’s starting grid is listed below:

First Half of The Clash
Chase Elliott and Chris Buescher led the field to the green as NASCAR’s long awaited return to Bowman Gray kicked off. After 21 laps the first caution waved as Daniel Suárez bumped into Noah Gragson which led to the Front Row Motorsports Ford spinning Kyle Busch.
The following next 34 laps went without a hitch. Elliott found lapped traffic around lap 55. Afterwards as the drivers tussled for position the 38 of Todd Gilliland gave the Liberty 24 of William Byron no room as the HMS Chevy hit the outside wall and spun down the front stretch on lap 78.
The following restart had Elliott and Buescher leading once more. Buescher fell back while Denny Hamlin and Tyler Reddick gained ground during the remaining 20 laps of the first half of the clash. On lap 97, Hamlin and Reddick both got around Elliott.

Top five after 100 laps (Halfway point):
1st (11) Denny Hamlin
2nd (45) Tyler Reddick
3rd (9) Chase Elliott
4th (17) Chris Buescher
5th (6) Brad Keselowski
Second Half of The Clash
Hamlin and Reddick led the way as the back half of the race began. Shortly after, Kyle Larson spun out thanks to contact from the 2 of Austin Cindric.
The following restart also had it’s problems as Joey Logano got into Christopher Bell which in turn spun out the 77 of Carson Hocevar.

The restarting problems continued as Hocevar and Larson made contact which turned the HMS teammates of William Byron and Larson on lap 114.
Shortly after another restart, Brad Keselowski spun from a stack. Alex Bowman and Hocevar were also involved, but in their own accident from the same stack up.
Finally, the final restart was on lap 121. Chase Elliott took the lead back from Hamlin shortly after the drop of the green. Blaney who started last in the pack worked his way up to second. The 12 could not reach the back bumper of Elliott even after the leaders caught up to lap traffic as the Napa Auto Parts Chevrolet crossed the start/finish line first.
Official Race Results

Post-Race Thoughts
Race winner Chase Elliott shared his excitement about being at Bowman Gray when he spoke with Fox’s Jamie Little, “Y’all made for a really fun environment for us. And you know, we don’t race in stadiums like this. So just really cool and appreciate y’all making that moment special for me and my team.”

Runner-up Ryan Blaney had this to say about trying to pass Elliott in the closing laps, “…When I started to go, I just didn’t have enough right-rear (tire) and I’m like, ‘Oh, (expletive).’ Like, I’m not gonna make this pass, right? And I’m not gonna just bulldog him into him and get chased out of here with pitchforks.”
Third place finisher Denny Hamlin blamed the final restart on lap 121 for his loss, “I just didn’t do very well on that restart there and kind of lost the bottom, and Chase [Elliott]took advantage of it,” Hamlin said. “Once you get the lead, it’s a lot easier to hang on to it.” “I thought that they were just a little better that second half than we were, along with [Ryan Blaney] as well.
Look ahead
NASCAR will take a back seat, as they always do, for the Super Bowl. After the Super Bowl, the biggest race in stock car racing is next. The Daytona 500 weekend is next for the NASCAR Cup Series. Always a major race and cultural event in America. Qualifying is set for 8:15 PM on Wednesday, Feb. 12
