The Madhouse

2026 Cook Out Clash • Official Starting Lineup
LIVE UP NEXT: MAIN EVENT (6:00 PM ET) Watch on FOX
❄️ WEATHER WATCH: Wintry mix forecast for 8 PM. Race is 200 laps (Green Flag Only). NASCAR will race on wet tires if damp, but pause for active snow/rain.

Official Starting Grid (23 Cars)

Field set via Qualifying (Rows 1-10), LCQ Results (Row 11), and Points Provisional (Row 12).

Row Pos Car Driver Team / Note
1 1 #5 Kyle Larson Hendrick Motorsports (POLE)
2 #24 William Byron Hendrick Motorsports
2 3 #54 Ty Gibbs Joe Gibbs Racing
4 #19 Chase Briscoe Joe Gibbs Racing
3 5 #20 Christopher Bell Joe Gibbs Racing
6 #11 Denny Hamlin Joe Gibbs Racing
4 7 #23 Bubba Wallace 23XI Racing
8 #17 Chris Buescher RFK Racing
5 9 #1 Ross Chastain Trackhouse Racing
10 #45 Tyler Reddick 23XI Racing
6 11 #9 Chase Elliott Hendrick Motorsports (Defending Winner)
12 #77 Carson Hocevar Spire Motorsports
7 13 #8 Kyle Busch Richard Childress Racing
14 #22 Joey Logano Team Penske
8 15 #3 Austin Dillon Richard Childress Racing
16 #12 Ryan Blaney Team Penske
9 17 #97 Shane Van Gisbergen Trackhouse Racing
18 #60 Ryan Preece RFK Racing
10 19 #88 Connor Zilisch Trackhouse Racing (Rookie)
20 #7 Daniel Suarez Spire Motorsports
11 21 #21 Josh Berry Wood Brothers (LCQ Transfer)
22 #2 Austin Cindric Team Penske (LCQ Transfer)
12 23 #48 Alex Bowman Hendrick Motorsports (Points Provisional)

Did Not Qualify (Failed to Advance)

The following drivers have been eliminated from competition:

  • #6 Corey LaJoie (Sub for B. Keselowski)
  • #50 Burt Myers (Local Favorite / Team AmeriVet)
  • #47 Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
  • #16 AJ Allmendinger
  • #42 John Hunter Nemechek
  • #38 Zane Smith
  • #4 Noah Gragson
  • #10 Ty Dillon
  • #43 Erik Jones
  • #71 Michael McDowell
  • #41 Cole Custer
  • #66 Chad Finchum
  • #51 Cody Ware
  • #35 Riley Herbst
  • #34 Todd Gilliland

Technical Warfare: Engineering in the Deep Freeze

🧪 Nitrogen & Pressure Physics

The Data: According to the Goodyear Tire Manual, pressure at Bowman Gray builds by 23 PSI during a run. Teams use dry nitrogen because moisture in standard air vaporizes at race temps, violating "Boyle's Law" and causing erratic pressure spikes [Source 168].

❄️ Brake Rotor "Thermal Shock"

The Risk: 11°F lows create a risk of rotors cracking when heated rapidly. Impound Trap: Teams cannot swap cracked rotors between Qualifying and the Race without NASCAR approval. Crew Chief Adam Stevens calls it a "can of worms" [Source 232].

🏎️ 750 Horsepower Strategy

The Setup: HP is up from 670 to 750HP. JGR teams (like Bell and Hamlin) may run left-side tires at single-digit PSI (flat) to maximize contact patch grip in the cold [Source 269].

Fan Guide: Inside The Madhouse

🏟️ The Venue

NASCAR's first weekly track (est. 1949). The 0.25-mile oval wraps around a football field. Fans are so close they can "seemingly reach out and slap cars as they soar by" [Source 107].

🍺 Beer Garden Rules

Alcohol is NOT sold in the general stands. Beer is only available in the designated "Beer Garden" area near Turn 1 (Must be 21+). Lawn chairs are prohibited [Source 111].

⚠️ Essentials

Earplugs: Highly recommended; the stadium acoustics make it "LOUD. Like, LOUD."
Weather: Wintry mix forecast for 8 PM. Dress in layers.