Chase Elliott Claims Victory as NASCAR Returns to Historic Bowman Gray Stadium
In a thrilling night for NASCAR fans, Chase Elliott emerged victorious in The Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium, marking the sport’s highly anticipated return to the historic North Carolina track. The Hendrick Motorsports driver, piloting the No. 9 car, delivered a dominant performance in the Cup Series event, leading 171 out of 200 laps to secure his first win in this prestigious preseason race.
Sunday’s event was particularly significant, as it marked the first Cup Series race at Bowman Gray since 1971, when Bobby Allison took the checkered flag. Elliott started from pole position and held the lead for nearly the first half of the race before Denny Hamlin and Tyler Reddick briefly took over. However, Elliott quickly regained control and maintained his lead through the final laps.
After securing the victory, Elliott expressed his gratitude to the passionate fans who came out to witness the historic race.
“Thank you all for showing up and making this such an incredible experience. We don’t often get to race in stadiums like this, so this was really special for me and my team.”
Bowman Gray Stadium, primarily known as the home of Winston-Salem State University’s football team, has a rich racing history, hosting local events throughout the year. Elliott acknowledged the significance of the venue and emphasized that fans deserved to see a Cup Series race at this iconic short track, expressing hope that NASCAR will return in the future.
Meanwhile, 2023 Cup Series champion Ryan Blaney made an impressive comeback after starting from the back of the field. He charged through the pack and put intense pressure on Elliott in the closing laps but ultimately finished second. The top five was rounded out by Denny Hamlin, Joey Logano, and Bubba Wallace.
Next on the NASCAR calendar is Daytona 500 qualifying on February 12, followed by the duels on February 13 and the highly anticipated Daytona 500 on February 16, setting the stage for an exciting start to the season.
