WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — At a track that oozes history, it was two drivers who could steer the future of NASCAR dueling for the lead in the second half of the 200-lap Clash.
Chase Elliott, the sport’s most popular driver each of the past seven years, and his close friend Ryan Blaney, ran 1-2 with less than 50 laps laps before Elliott pulled away to win the Cook Out Clash in the first NASCAR Cup race at Bowman Gray Stadium since 1971.
Blaney, who started last in the 23-car field, finished second. Denny Hamlin was third, followed by Joey Logano and Bubba Wallace.
NASCAR first raced at this quarter-mile track around a football field in 1949. The conflicts on and off the track over the years gave the track its “Madhouse” moniker.
Sunday’s Clash had its moments of bumping, beating and wrecking, but the race went caution-free the final 80 laps.
As Blaney raced Elliott for the lead, the two raced clean. Blaney’s car faded and he knew a last-gasp effort was not likely to work and have the fans escort him out of this track with pitchforks.
Drivers said the atmosphere was special at a place that holds around 17,000 and featured fans from 44 states and five different countries. Elliott basked in the moment when he exited his car after winning.
“It was an extremely special moment and I think the people in the crowd made it that,” Elliott said. “A moment that I’ll never forget.”
That completed a weekend that saw Elliott post the fastest lap in qualifying, lead all 25 laps to win his heat race and lead 171 of 200 laps Sunday night.
Earlier in the night, Kyle Larson won the Last Chance Qualifier. Josh Berry finished second. Both advanced.
Among those who failed to advance were Ty Gibbs, Austin Dillon, Erik Jones and Michael McDowell.
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