Cook Out Madhouse Classic returning to Bowman Gray Stadium as part of 2026 Cook Out Clash

WINSTON SALEM, N.C. – NASCAR today announced the return of the Cook Out Madhouse Classic to historic Bowman Gray Stadium as part of the Cook Out Clash Weekend on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. The day of racing will now include two action-packed Bowman Gray Stadium divisions – the Modified Division and Sportsman Series – delivering an afternoon of high-intensity, hometown action.

The event, held prior to NASCAR Cup Series practice and qualifying, will air live on FloRacing and the NASCAR Channel, which is available on Xumo Play, Tubi, SamsungTV Plus, The Roku Channel, Amazon Prime and Amazon Fire TV.

“The Cook Out Madhouse Classic is one of the most authentic and electric experiences in all of short-track racing,” said Justin Swilling, NASCAR’s Project Lead for the Cook Out Clash. “The atmosphere inside Bowman Gray Stadium is unmatched, and so is the intensity and passion of the competitors. Their undeniable spirit brought NASCAR Cup Series racing back to Bowman Gray Stadium this year, so we’re incredibly excited about expanding the Madhouse Classic lineup to highlight the Madhouse stars who made it all possible.”

The return of the Cook Out Madhouse Classic follows last year’s dramatic debut at Bowman Gray Stadium featuring the stars of the Modified Division. Chris Fleming held off a hard-charging Burt Myers to claim the checkered flag in front of Saturday’s capacity crowd. The thrilling performance set the stage for the sold out inaugural Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium, which marked the first Cup Series event at the iconic venue since 1971.

Participation in the Cook Out Madhouse Classic is by invitation only, determined by the top 22 drivers from the Modified Division and top 20 drivers from the Sportsman Series (NASCAR reserves the right to add provisional entries in each race). Saturday’s race program will showcase all the hallmarks of Bowman Gray’s legendary format, including practice, single-car qualifying, and a 125-lap modified feature and 100-lap sportsman feature.

The Madhouse crowd will amplify every lap, and fans will also enjoy the unforgettable Fan’s Challenge, a treasured Bowman Gray tradition. In this format, the four fastest qualifiers will each have the chance to relinquish their earned starting spot and drop to the rear of the field. Drivers who accept become eligible for a special event bonus awarded if they can race their way back to their original top-four position or better. It’s a risk-reward wrinkle that embodies the competitive spirit of The Madhouse.

The Madhouse will start the NASCAR Cup Series season with the Cook Out Clash, a 600-lap non-championship race February 1 on Fox that for Cup Series cars feature four 50-lap races on Saturday (top five advance), a 75-lap race on Sunday afternoon (top two advance), plus Kyle Larson is guaranteed. (If he qualifies via heat races, then the highest driver in points who doesn't qualify makes it.) The feature is 200 laps Sunday night.

Saturday's schedule includes a 125 lap non-championship local Modified race and a 100-lap Sportsman race. Must be a Top 22 Modified driver from 2025 points and Top 20 from Sportsman. NASCAR may add extra spots for Northeastern Modified stars who wish to participate. These stars are the regular 9-5 day job folks who race for fun on Saturday nights at the Madhouse.

The street stock division is the rowdiest of the Madhouse rowdy. In June, Kyler Staley and Brad Lewis were battling for the win on the final lap. As they were side-by-side off Turn 4, Staley's father Zack, who was running at the tail-end of the lead lap — appeared to slow down in front of Lewis to set a pick for his son to make the pass.

Brad Lewis was scored the winner in a photo finish. After the checkered flag, podium finisher Emilee Lewis (P3, Brad's daughter), wrecked Zack Staley into Turn 1. After the cars parked on the frontstretch, Zack got out of his car, still sitting in Turns 1 and 2, and sprinted across the infield. He got to Emilee Lewis’ car and drop kicked the windshield, grabbed the hood of her car, ripping at it before track officials and police pulled him off.

Zack Staley was suspended two months (rest of the season), Kyler Staley suspended three weeks for actions after the race, and Emilee Lewis suspended one week for deliberately crashing Zack Staley after the race.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Er-_PISm9xo

Mike Joy proves why he understands the Madhouse.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Flq1uI3UpQ8

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