Get ready for a thrilling showdown at Bowman Gray Stadium, where the 2026 Cook Out Clash is set to ignite the track—but here's the twist: winter weather has thrown a wrench into the plans, canceling the heat races and reshaping the entire event. Will this unexpected change crown a new champion or favor the seasoned veterans?
On Wednesday, February 4, 2026, NASCAR Cup Series drivers will hit the track for two 8-minute practice sessions, followed by a high-stakes group qualifying session starting at 1:30 p.m. ET. Fans can catch all the action live on the FOX Sports App, MRN Radio, or SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. During qualifying, drivers have just four minutes to set their fastest lap, running as many times as they can within this tight window. Pro tip: If you’ve got FS1, sign in through your provider to stream the practice and qualifying sessions seamlessly.
And this is the part most people miss: With the heat races canceled, the top 20 drivers from qualifying automatically secure their spots in the 200-lap main event, airing at 6 p.m. ET on FOX, MRN Radio, HBO Max, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. But the drama doesn’t end there—the Last Chance Qualifier Race at 4:30 p.m. ET will see the top two finishers snag the 21st and 22nd starting positions. The 23rd and final spot? That goes to the highest-ranked driver from the 2025 final standings who didn’t make the cut through the LCQ. Is this the fairest way to determine the lineup, or does it favor certain drivers over others?
Let’s dive into the practice and qualifying groups, where rivalries and strategies begin to unfold. From AJ Allmendinger to Shane van Gisbergen, each group is packed with talent, setting the stage for intense competition. But here’s where it gets controversial: The qualifying results will directly shape the Cook Out Clash lineup, with the fastest drivers claiming the top spots. Does speed alone determine a winner, or will track conditions and strategy play a bigger role?
Here’s how the lineup will shake out: Positions 1 through 20 are based on qualifying times, while the LCQ winner and runner-up take the 21st and 22nd spots. The 23rd position is reserved for the highest-ranked driver from the 2025 standings who didn’t qualify through the LCQ. Is this system truly fair, or does it leave room for debate?
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, Connor Zilisch, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Daniel Suárez
GROUP 2: Ty Gibbs, Corey LaJoie, Kyle Busch, Michael McDowell, Carson Hocevar, Erik Jones, John Hunter Nemechek, Alex Bowman, Austin Cindric, Chase Briscoe, Josh Berry, Chris Buescher
GROUP 3: Joey Logano, Chase Elliott, Tyler Reddick, Ross Chastain, Bubba Wallace, Shane van Gisbergen, Kyle Larson, Denny Hamlin, William Byron, Christopher Bell, Ryan Blaney, Cody Ware
Now, here’s a thought-provoking question for you: With the heat races canceled and the lineup determined by qualifying and the LCQ, are we seeing the true measure of a driver’s skill, or is this format leaving too much to chance? Share your thoughts in the comments—let’s spark a debate!
