{"id":55936,"date":"2026-02-04T22:30:33","date_gmt":"2026-02-05T04:30:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/?p=55936"},"modified":"2026-02-05T20:27:21","modified_gmt":"2026-02-06T02:27:21","slug":"ryan-preece-overcomes-weather-and-18th-place-starting-spot-to-win-cook-out-clash","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/2026\/02\/04\/ryan-preece-overcomes-weather-and-18th-place-starting-spot-to-win-cook-out-clash\/","title":{"rendered":"Ryan Preece overcomes weather and 18th-place starting spot to win Cook Out Clash"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Ryan Preece, driver of the #60 Kroger\/Coca-Cola Ford, celebrates in victory lane after winning the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium at Bowman Gray Stadium on February 04, 2026 in Winston Salem, North Carolina. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

By Reid Spencer, NASCAR Wire Service<\/em><\/p>\n

Neither rain nor sleet nor snow nor gloom of night could keep Ryan Preece from his appointed rounds at Bowman Gray Stadium.<\/p>\n

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Ryan Preece, driver of the #60 Kroger\/Coca-Cola Ford, celebrates with a burnout after winning the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium at Bowman Gray Stadium on February 04, 2026 in Winston Salem, North Carolina. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

On wet-weather tires, on a track peppered with a wintry mix during the 100-lap break, Preece navigated the glazed asphalt at the historic quarter-mile track to win the second Cook Out Clash staged in Winston-Salem, N.C.<\/p>\n

Historically heavy snow already had forced postponement of the season-opening NASCAR Cup Series exhibition race twice, but for the 35-year-old driver from Berlin, Connecticut, the victory on Wednesday night was well worth the wait.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t even know what to say,\u201d said Preece, tears in his eyes as he climbed from his car to the cheers of hardy fans who had braved the rain and bone-chilling temperatures. \u201cTo be honest with you, it\u2019s been a freaking long road.<\/p>\n

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Ryan Preece, driver of the #60 Kroger\/Coca-Cola Ford, and crew chief Derrick Finley celebrate in victory lane after winning the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium at Bowman Gray Stadium on February 04, 2026 in Winston Salem, North Carolina. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s the Clash, but, man, it\u2019s been years and years of grinding … Two years ago, I didn\u2019t think I was going to have a job. I thought I was going back to Connecticut.\u201d<\/p>\n

Preece, however, secured a ride in the No. 60 Roush Fenway Racing Ford after Stewart-Haas Racing closed its doors at the end of the 2024 season.<\/p>\n

On Wednesday night, he led the final 45 laps after taking the top spot on Lap 156, muscling his way past Shane van Gisbergen after a restart four laps earlier.<\/p>\n

In a rock ’em, sock ’em free-for-all that featured a Clash-record 17 cautions, Preece pulled away after the final restart on Lap 182 of 200 to beat runner-up William Byron to the finish line by 1.752 seconds.<\/p>\n

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Ryan Preece, driver of the #60 Kroger\/Coca-Cola Ford, and Joey Logano, driver of the #22 Shell Pennzoil Ford, race during the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium at Bowman Gray Stadium on February 04, 2026 in Winston Salem, North Carolina. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

Preece is the third driver to win the Clash before winning a NASCAR Cup Series points race, joining NASCAR Hall of Famer Jeff Gordon and Denny Hamlin in that distinction.<\/p>\n

The modified star, who started 18th and worked his way forward before and after the halfway break, extended one streak and broke another. He is the ninth straight different driver to win the Clash, but he\u2019s the first to win from outside the first two rows since the Clash went to a quarter-mile format at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in 2022.<\/p>\n

Ryan Blaney ran third, followed by Daniel Suarez and Denny Hamlin. Chase Briscoe, Austin Dillon, Chris Buescher, Ross Chastain and Alex Bowman completed the top 10.<\/p>\n

Pole winner and reigning Cup champion Kyle Larson led a race-high 67 laps to Preece\u2019s 46, but Larson\u2019s race fell apart after rain and sleet covered the track, leading to a 16th-place result after the change from slick tires to wet-weather rubber.<\/p>\n

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A detail view of snow during the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium at Bowman Gray Stadium on February 04, 2026 in Winston Salem, North Carolina. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

For the second straight year, Josh Berry raced into the main event from the Last Chance Qualifier. After passing AJ Allmendinger for the top spot on Lap 18 of 75, Berry led the rest of the way in the No. 21 Wood Brothers Ford and finished 7.419 seconds clear of runner-up Austin Cindric.<\/p>\n

The field for the Clash wasn\u2019t set, however, until AJ Allmendinger shoved Cindric past Corey LaJoie in the final corner, allowing Cindric to secure the second of two spots available through the LCQ.<\/p>\n

From Lap 62 on, Cindric and Lajoie had battled for the runner-up position, with Cindric securing the inside position for the final four circuits.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou, wanted to be on the inside, obviously, but you don\u2019t want to pass the guy, \u2018cause then he has the opportunity to get back to you,\u201d said LaJoie, who was subbing for injured Brad Keselowski in the No. 6 Roush Fenway Keselowski Ford.<\/p>\n

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A general view of fireworks pre-race ceremonies prior to the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium at Bowman Gray Stadium on February 04, 2026 in Winston Salem, North Carolina. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

\u201cIt was exciting. It was fun to be in the fight. I hadn\u2019t been in a fight like that in a long time.\u201d<\/p>\n

Allmendinger, who finished fourth behind LaJoie, was in the mix until the finish.<\/p>\n

\u201cI had the plan set up perfect,\u201d said Allmendinger, who intended to move both Cindric and LaJoie up the track on the final lap. \u201cI just didn\u2019t execute. I went down in there to kind of shove \u2018em both out of the way, and we didn\u2019t have enough grip to throttle back up and beat \u2018em to the line.\u201d<\/p>\n

Berry started 21st in the Clash and finished 12th. Cindric started 22nd and ran 21st after a litany of issues.<\/p>\n

Bowman started last (23rd) in the Clash field on a provisional as the highest finisher in the 2025 standings not already in the field though qualifying or the LCQ.<\/p>\n

NASCAR Cup Series Race – Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray<\/b><\/p>\n

Bowman Gray Stadium<\/b><\/p>\n

Winston-Salem, North Carolina<\/b><\/p>\n

Wednesday, February 4, 2026<\/b><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1. (18)\u00a0 Ryan Preece, Ford, 200.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 2. (2)\u00a0 William Byron, Chevrolet, 200.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 3. (16)\u00a0 Ryan Blaney, Ford, 200.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 4. (20)\u00a0 Daniel Suarez, Chevrolet, 200.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 5. (6)\u00a0 Denny Hamlin, Toyota, 200.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 6. (4)\u00a0 Chase Briscoe, Toyota, 200.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 7. (15)\u00a0 Austin Dillon, Chevrolet, 200.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 8. (8)\u00a0 Chris Buescher, Ford, 200.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 9. (9)\u00a0 Ross Chastain, Chevrolet, 200.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 10. (23)\u00a0 Alex Bowman, Chevrolet, 200.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 11. (14)\u00a0 Joey Logano, Ford, 200.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 12. (21)\u00a0 Josh Berry, Ford, 200.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 13. (5)\u00a0 Christopher Bell, Toyota, 200.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 14. (3)\u00a0 Ty Gibbs, Toyota, 200.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 15. (12)\u00a0 Carson Hocevar, Chevrolet, 200.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 16. (1)\u00a0 Kyle Larson, Chevrolet, 200.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 17. (11)\u00a0 Chase Elliott, Chevrolet, 200.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 18. (19)\u00a0 Connor Zilisch, Chevrolet, 200.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 19. (13)\u00a0 Kyle Busch, Chevrolet, 200.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 20. (17)\u00a0 Shane Van Gisbergen, Chevrolet, 200.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 21. (22)\u00a0 Austin Cindric, Ford, 200.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 22. (10)\u00a0 Tyler Reddick, Toyota, 200.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 23. (7)\u00a0 Bubba Wallace, Toyota, 199.<\/p>\n

Average Speed of Race Winner:\u00a0 21.39 mph.<\/p>\n

Time of Race:\u00a0 2 Hrs, 20 Mins, 15 Secs. Margin of Victory:\u00a0 1.752 Seconds.<\/p>\n

Caution Flags:\u00a0 17 for 0 laps.<\/p>\n

Lead Changes:\u00a0 11 among 7 drivers.<\/p>\n

Lap Leaders:\u00a0\u00a0 K. Larson 1-53;C. Briscoe 54-56;K. Larson 57-70;W. Byron 71-84;C. Briscoe 85-95;T. Gibbs 96-100;C. Briscoe 101-121;C. Hocevar 122-139;S. Van Gisbergen 140-142;R. Preece 143;S. Van Gisbergen 144-155;R. Preece 156-200.<\/p>\n

Leaders Summary (Driver, Times Lead, Laps Led):\u00a0 Kyle Larson 2 times for 67 laps; Ryan Preece 2 times for 46 laps; Chase Briscoe 3 times for 35 laps; Carson Hocevar 1 time for 18 laps; Shane Van Gisbergen 2 times for 15 laps; William Byron 1 time for 14 laps; Ty Gibbs 1 time for 5 laps.<\/p>\n

Stage #1 Top Ten: 60,24,12,7,11,19,3,17,1,48<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

  By Reid Spencer, NASCAR Wire Service Neither rain nor sleet nor snow nor gloom of night could keep Ryan Preece from his appointed rounds at Bowman Gray Stadium. On wet-weather tires, on a track peppered with a wintry mix during the 100-lap break, Preece navigated the glazed asphalt at the historic quarter-mile track to […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":676,"featured_media":55946,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[11],"tags":[982,16,580],"class_list":["post-55936","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nascar","tag-bowman-gray-stadium","tag-nascar","tag-ryan-preece"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/GettyImages-2259993851-scaled.jpg?fit=2560%2C1660&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p7hzTZ-eyc","jetpack-related-posts":[],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/55936","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/676"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=55936"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/55936\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":55949,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/55936\/revisions\/55949"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/55946"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=55936"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=55936"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=55936"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}