Ryan Blaney Breaks Silence on Bowman Gray’s Return as the Host of 2026 clash venue

Ryan Blaney is excited to have the Bowman Gray Stadium return as the pre-season event of the Cook Out Clash in the 2026 season.

Ryan Blaney Breaks Silence on Bowman Gray’s Return as the Host of 2026 clash venue

2025 Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium (via NASCAR), Ryan Blaney (via Imagn)

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NASCAR recently announced that the iconic Bowman Gray Stadium would host the marquee pre-season race event to mark the beginning of the 2026 season. While the North Carolina-based circuit does not reward points to the drivers, it remains one of the most iconic oval circuits in NASCAR’s history. The runner-up of the 2025 event at the Bowman Gray Stadium, Ryan Blaney, opens up on the return of the iconic race event in the coming season as well.

During the 2025 season opener at the Bowman Gray Stadium, Ryan Blaney couldn’t quite trump Chase Elliott to bring home the victory. Blaney started the main race from all the way back in the last spot in P23. Despite a disappointing start, the #12 driver executed a flawless strategy and finished just 1.33 seconds behind the race leader in Elliott. As such, the 31-year-old is excited to return to racing at the Winston-Salem circuit in the coming season.

Ryan Blaney asserts that he is very excited for the return of the Cook Out Clash at the Bowman Gray in the coming season. The Winston-Salem circuit holds a special place for the Penske star as he grew up racing in Bandolero cars at the same circuit ever since he was just 10 years old. Blaney pointed out that the area and its people meant a lot to him as he grew up with the same set of people that he raced with when they all were kids.

Yeah, excited. I’m excited just going back to Winston-Salem. Growing up, like you said, around that area meant a lot to me. High Point, Winston, Greensboro, I spent a lot of time in those areas. Saw a lot of people that I grew up with that came after that race

Ryan Blaney told Peter Stratta/TSJSports.

Ryan Blaney also shared his opinions on whether he would want to see any changes to either the circuit or the event at the Bowman Gray Stadium. Blaney remains unsure if there is anything worthy of being changed about the pre-season event. The #12 driver pointed out that the racing event put on a great show, as there isn’t anything worthy of being changed yet.

Have I had to change anything about it? I don’t really know. I thought it put on a great show. I liked that we were there with the mods, so that was nice that they had a race as well. So, yeah, I don’t really think I would change much about it.

Ryan Blaney added.

Ryan Blaney declares the Bowman Gray Stadium put on a ‘better race’ than the Coliseum

The season opener event shifted to the Bowman Gray Stadium in 2025 as the predecessor to the Clash at the Coliseum. While the race at the Coliseum put on a great event for the fans, Ryan Blaney thinks otherwise. The 31-year-old insisted that the pre-season event at the Bowman Gray Stadium is much better in terms of racing and spectacle as compared to the Los Angeles circuit.

14. Ryan Blaney
Ryan Blaney (Via IMAGO)

Ryan Blaney asserted that the 2025 season opener at the Bowman Gray Stadium was comparatively much better than the LA Clash at the Coliseum. Blaney further added that raceability and the racing action on the Winston-Salem circuit remained more exciting than the Los Angeles circuit. As such, the 31-year-old is excited to return to racing at the Bowman Gray Stadium in the 2026 season.

I thought it put on a really good race, honestly. I thought it put on a better race than the Coliseum, like just the raceability of guys passing people when tire falls off, and I think that’s good. So I’m excited they get it back, and hopefully we’ll see how long it stays there with that race.

Ryan Blaney noted

Ryan Blaney’s performance in the 2025 season has been decent as he has already locked his spot in the championship playoffs. With just six races left in the regular cup season, Blaney will aim to emerge as a great contender for the championship. For now, the Penske star will prepare for the upcoming race at the Dover Motor Speedway.

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