Salem's Bowman Gray Stadium this weekend for the Clash — the first NASCAR Cup Series event held at the historic venue since 1971. 60% of the tickets sold were to folks from outside North Carolina's Triad.

Chase Elliott started Sunday's race out front, and that's where he stayed for much of the night. Elliott finished in first place, taking home his first ever Clash win. He led 171 of 200 laps, while last year's winner, Denny Hamlin, led for 28 laps.

After leading 171 laps, there wasn’t much else that Chase Elliott could have done on Sunday night in the NASCAR Clash at Bowman Gray. So, how did he do it?

Driving the No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, Elliott managed to hold off charges from Denny Hamlin and Ryan Blaney in the second half of the event.

Bowman Gray Stadium hosting the Clash received the seal of approval from race winner Chase Elliott. Elliott admitted his bias after winning Sunday night’s exhibition race – a moment he called

If this was NASCAR of five years ago, Chase Elliott's dominating victory in the preseason Clash would make him the favorite to win the Daytona 500.

Chase Elliott won the unofficial opener to the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season. Elliott started Sunday night’s Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium on the pole and dominated the race. He drove away from Ryan Blaney over the last 20 laps as just 12 of the 23 cars that started the main event finished on the lead lap.

NASCAR returned to its roots with a fight-free preseason exhibition at Bowman Gray Stadium and a popular victory with Chase Elliott winning The Clash on Sunday night.

After earning victory in the Cook Out Clash exhibition race at Bowman Gray Stadium, Hendrick Motorsports driver Chase Elliott has reflected on his achievement.