The first NASCAR event of the 2025 season is just days away, and fans are looking forward to seeing their favorite racers back on the track yet again. Find out how you can watch the annual NASCAR Clash live from the comfort of your own home on February 1-2, 2025.
This post will give you all the information you need to watch, from what channel to tune into to the changes made for this race.
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Cook Out Clash Race Information
Racetrack: Bowman Gray Stadium
Date & Time: Sunday, Feb. 2 @ 8 p.m. ET
Location: Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Laps/Distance: 200 laps / 50.6 miles
How to watch: FOX (check local listings for channel number)
That’s right; you can catch the first NASCAR Cup Series race live on Sunday, February 2 at 8 p.m. ET on FOX. Find your local FOX channel here.
Plus, check out the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series Schedule to keep up all season long.
What’s Different About the Clash in 2025?
Before we get into how the Clash is different from Cup Series regular-season races, let’s discuss what’s different about the Clash from the last few years.
First, the race will be taking place on the east coast, at Bowman Gray Stadium to be specific, rather than in Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum where it’s been raced for the last three years. The second change is the race’s sponsor. Busch Light sponsored the event from 2020-2023, before Xfinity took over as sponsor for 2024. Now, in 2025, the race will officially be known as the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray.
Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Race Format
This event is technically part of the NASCAR preseason, and is considered an exhibition, so a few things are different than usual. First, there will be no points awarded to any drivers. And second, the qualifying procedure follows a different format.
After practice rounds on Saturday, there are four 25-lap heat races with no more than 10 drivers per heat. The top five drivers from each heat are automatically entered into Sunday’s entry list, while the remaining drivers move on to the Sunday’s 75-lap “Last Chance Qualifier (LCQ).”
The top two drivers from that round will join the main event at the 21st and 22nd spots. The 23rd spot is guaranteed to go to 2024’s NASCAR Cup Series Champion, Joey Logano.
Cook Out Clash Race Schedule
Check out the schedule below to make sure you know when to tune into the first on-track action of the 2025 NASCAR season.
Saturday, February 1
- NASCAR Cup Series Practice & Qualifying: 6:10-8 p.m. ET, FS1
- Heat Race 1: 8:30 p.m. ET, FS1
- Heat Race 2: 8:45 p.m. ET, FS1
- Heat Race 3: 9 p.m. ET, FS1
- Heat Race 4: 9:15 p.m. ET, FS1
Sunday, February 2
- NASCAR Cup Series Last Chance Qualifying Race: 6 p.m. ET, Fox
- Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Race: 8 p.m. ET, Fox
WATCH NASCAR on DIRECTV
Make sure to watch the first NASCAR race of 2025, the Cook Out Clash, live on FOX this weekend. The race will begin at 8 p.m. ET on Sunday, February 2, 2025, and it’s not one you want to miss.
With the start of the NASCAR season here, you’ll want to make sure you’re getting the best pre-, post and on-track coverage live.
NASCAR on DIRECTV has that and more.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the NASCAR Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray?
NASCAR Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray takes place on Sunday, February 2, 2025, at 8 p.m. ET.
What channel is this weekend's NASCAR race on?
You can watch this weekend's NASCAR race live on FOX.
How long is the Busch Light Clash?
The Busch Light Clash Cup Series race is 150 laps, totaling 37.5 miles.
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