NASCAR DFS: Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium

The 2026 NASCAR season is back! Once a Daytona tradition dating back to 1999 and later a spectacle inside the Los Angeles Coliseum from 2022–2024, the Cook Out Clash now returns to Bowman Gray Stadium for the second straight year.

In this article, we will go over how it all works in terms of setting up the 23-driver field, look at some data from last year, and then go over some pre-qualifying picks. Let’s get started. 

NASCAR DFS: Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium

How the Field is Set

The event kicks off on Saturday when all entrants are split into three practice groups with each getting three practice sessions. The final practice is the key as each driver’s fastest lap in that session will determine the starting order for the four 25-lap heat races Saturday night. The Top 5 in each heat will advance to the Clash on Sunday.

Those not advancing through the heat races will get a final shot to qualify through the last chance qualifier on Sunday before the main event. The Top 2 finishers will get in, and finally, the highest 2025 point total driver, not already qualified, will get the 23rd spot in the main event.

Fantasy Angle

The track position narrative for the season-opening, short-track exhibition race continued in 2025. Chase Elliott dominated from the pole position, leading 171 laps en route to victory. It was the second straight year the winner of the Clash came from the pole, and the third straight year the winner came from a front row starting position. Since the move from Daytona, the Clash has yet to see a winner start outside of 4th.

With that said, we still cannot throw out the place differential upside. Last year, there were five drivers to gain nine or more places during the race, highlighted by Ryan Blaney’s 21 as he came from the rear to finish second.

It will ultimately come down to the starting lineups set after the Heat races, but I will be fitting at least two of the drivers on the front two rows. I will then try to fill in around them with drivers who have had success in the Clash or on short/flat tracks, or both.

Top Pre Qualifying Targets

Ryan Blaney (DK $10,200)

I mentioned Blaney above as he started dead last a year ago at Bowman Gray and worked his way through the field to grab 21 place differential points. He has now finished 2nd and 3rd in his last two Clash races. That success checks out as he also led the Cup Series with a 6.1 average finish on short/flat tracks last year. That included three wins, 525 laps led, and seven Top 5’s across the nine races.

Joey Logano (DK $9,200)

Like his teammate, Logano checks a lot of boxes this week, starting with his Clash history. He has a win and 4th place finish in three starts at the Coliseum and finished fourth last year at Bowman Gray Stadium. He was also second to only Blaney on short/flat tracks last season, with eight Top 10s in the nine races with a 6.6 average finish.

Denny Hamlin (DK $10,000)

Hamlin not only tallied two wins and six Top 10’s on short/flat tracks in 2025, he also led the series with 639 laps led on the track type. He also finished 3rd in the Clash last year at Bowman Gray Stadium and won the last Clash at the Coliseum. This style of racing suits Denny, and look out if he qualifies near the front.

Austin Dillon (DK $6,800)

Dillon finished 3rd and 2nd in the Clash the first two years at the Coliseum and narrowly missed making the main last year, finishing 3rd in the Last Chance Qualifier. If he makes the race this year, he will be one of my top value plays as he is coming off an excellent short/flat track season. He won at Richmond and was consistent with eight Top 20’s in nine races.

Ryan Preece (DK $7,500)

Preece also checks a lot of the boxes for me this week and is another top value play. He has finished 11th or better and Top 10 in DK points in three straight Clashes. He was also solid on short/flat tracks with four Top 10’s and seven Top 20’s in the nine races.