Ben Kennedy gives update on snow-impacted Bowman Gray ahead of Clash

LATEST UPDATE: The Clash will run as a one-day event on Wednesday due to the snowfall in Winstom, Salem NC

NASCAR's unofficial start to the 2026 season is in jeopardy due to winter weather. Winter Storm Fern left Bowman Gray Stadium covered in snow just days before the pre-season Clash that is supposed to take place at the iconic short track. 

The track, located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, was completely covered in snow following the storm. Plows have been working to clear the roads around Bowman Gray, but despite some sunshine, little is melting as temperatures remain around freezing. According to AccuWeather, temperatures punched above freezing for the first time on Tuesday and will remain in the mid to upper 30s for the next few days. 

The track itself and garage area is now clear while the infield remains coated with a thin layer of snow. Crews are also working to clear ice from the grandstands. Their efforts will be stifled by the fact that temperatures will plunge back down just in time for the race weekend with a high of 21 and low of 11 on Saturday, and the possibility of an additional four to eight inches of snow. Temps will remain below freezing until Monday, but even then, it will only reach a high of around 33 degrees.

Mike Joy, who works as the play-by-play announcer for NASCAR on FOX, gave the following update regarding the track on Wednesday: "Progress made today at the stadium. Main St is now cleared, but most side roads are still unplowed packed snow. Temp hit 40 today, that and the sun helped. The FOX trucks are in place, and TV setup continues. Looks like we are racing at BGS this weekend, IF there's no more snow."

TV equipment is being set up at the track, but conversations continue regarding possible adjustments to the weekend schedule as the chance of snow is only increasing.

NASCAR Executive Vice President and Chief Venue & Racing Innovation Officer Ben Kennedy offered the following insight on Tuesday:

"Snow has been cleared from the track and garage areas at Bowman Gray. Hoping for a warm(er) day or two in Winston-Salem to accelerate clean up. We’re continuing to monitor more weather this weekend and will communicate schedule changes, if any."

This is the second year of The Clash being held at Bowman Gray Stadium. In 2024, NASCAR held the event at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum for the final time, and that event was forced to run one day early due to historic rainfall and flooding that hit Southern California.

Thursday morning update

The situation remains unchanged. While the track has been prepared for racing following cleanup from last weekend's storm, a new winter weather advisory has been issued for the upcoming weekend.

Snow will begin falling on Friday and continue into Saturday with a projection of four to eight inches of accumulation. Temperatures will stay below freezing for the entire race weekend.

Even still, inspection has begun at the Winston-Salem Fairgrounds where the cars will be stores overnight: