Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray field almost set after Heat Races

The NASCAR Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray has 20 of 23 drivers set for Sunday’s main event. Tonight the Heat Races gave fans a taste of what’s to come. The Madhouse was rocking and the drivers were getting at it on the track.

All of the pole winners in the heats won their respective races. The first race of the night probably gave us the best entertainment of the night. It also showed us if a 25-lap race can get intense, 200 laps may make these drivers crazy.

Five drivers from each heat advanced. It was based purely on where they finished in the Heat Race, 1 through 5. Chase Elliott got things going by winning from the pole after posting the fastest time in practice. Chris Buescher also won from pole in his heat.

Heat 1: Chase Elliott, Brad Keselowski, Noah Gragson, Kyle Busch, and Ross Chastain.
Heat 2: Chris Buescher, Chase Briscoe, Shane van Gisbergen, Bubba Wallace, and Daniel Suárez.

It was much of the same in the next two races. Pole winners went on to win both.

Heat 3: Denny Hamlin, Joey Logano, William Byron, Carson Hocevar, and Alex Bowman.
Heat 4: Tyler Reddick, Christopher Bell, Ryan Preece, Austin Cindric, and Todd Gilliland.

Elliott, Buescher, Hamlin, and Reddick will start on the first two rows for the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium. This is a great opportunity for Elliott, as the pole position was shown to be the dominant position today.

A 75-lap Last Chance Qualifier will happen ahead of the Clash tomorrow night. The top two finishers in that race will advance. The final 23rd spot will be given to the highest 2024 points earner who failed to qualify.

Chase Elliott can’t get comfortable for Clash at Bowman Gray

While Elliott should feel good about the pole award, he has work to do. 200 laps on the track is a lot different from 25. There will be drivers bumping and banging the whole time. Not to mention, lapped traffic.

Having secured his spot on the front row, Elliott is in a great place. The Hendrick driver showed that he has qualifying speed and race speed. As long as he takes care of his tires, he will be in a great position to win the Clash.

Speaking of the tire, this is the soft tire from Martinsville last season. And it was great. If you paid attention during the broadcast, there were all kinds of tire marbles up out of the groove in the corners. Maybe we see a tire battle tomorrow night?

Chase Elliott on the pole? You know they love that in Dawsonville. Get the sireen ready, it might be time to sound it tomorrow night.