A tribute to racing history to begin the 2025 season

By ZECH YODER

NASCAR is back this weekend with the Clash from Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, N.C. To many, Bowman Gray Stadium may sound like a new track on the NASCAR schedule. But it is far from new and has ties to the birth of stock car racing in America.

NASCAR began racing at Bowman Gray Stadium as early as 1949, when big Bill France, Sr. took over operations of the track. Bowman Gray was one of the original tracks on which NASCAR raced. Throughout the early years of NASCAR, legends of the sport took victories at Bowman Gray, including Richard Petty, David Pearson, Junior Johnson, and Bobby Allison.

Given its size of only one-quarter of a mile, Bowman Gray because known as the “madhouse” because of the aggressive style of racing and contact that occurs on such a small track. NASCAR’s top series, the Cup Series, last raced at Bowman Gray in 1971. In the interim, other series associated with NASCAR continued to run at the legendary track, including the modified cars, which seem to always put on a great show when they come to Bowman Gray.

But on Sunday, it’s the return of the Cup Series – after a more than 50-year hiatus. A new (old) track will play host to the unofficial start to the 2025 NASCAR season. New drivers, new teams, and new opportunities.

The Cup Series landscape will look much different than last year as Stewart Haas Racing has shut its doors and several two car teams have expanded their operations to three cars. New Zealander and road course ace, Shane Van Gisbergen, begins a much-anticipated start to his full-time NASCAR career. Noah Gragson makes his third first start for a new team in three years. Riley Herbst gets his Cup Series opportunity with Twenty-Three Eleven Racing. And what about Chase Briscoe, who must fill the shoes of future hall of famer, Martin Truex, Jr., in the No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota? Will new opportunities lead to early success?

With the exception of perhaps Chase Briscoe, probably not. I expect to see the usual suspects near the front at Bowman Gray. Kyle Larson dominated North Wilkesboro las May. Coming off his Chili Bowl win he will be tough. Denny Hamlin won the Clash last year at the Coliseum. He will certainly put himself in a position to win. And one cannot count out Joey Logano, who seems to win at every new track NASCAR visits.

My hope is that NASCAR has figured out the short track package for the Gen7 car and we will see good racing. However, don’t be surprised if it turns into bumper cars at times. The race will be physical, and tempers will flare.

Welcome to the 2025 NASCAR season.

Zech Yoder is a local resident, an attorney at Adler Attorneys in Noblesville, and a lifelong race fan.