NASCAR Cook Out Clash TV channel, streaming, race time today

The 2026 NASCAR season officially kicks off Wednesday, February 4th, with the Cook Out Clash exhibition race at Bowman grey Stadium in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Originally slated for Sunday, the event was postponed due to inclement winter weather. This marks the beginning of the racing calendar before the focus shifts to the prestigious Daytona 500 on February 15th.

A Unique Venue and Format

This year’s Cook Out Clash will take place on the short track within Bowman grey Stadium, a venue typically used for Winston-Salem State University football games. Twenty-three drivers will compete in the 200-lap main event, preceded by a Last Chance Qualifier to determine the final entrants. While the race doesn’t contribute to the 2026 season standings, a substantial purse of $3,002,500 was awarded to drivers in the 2025 event.

Did You Know? Chase Elliott dominated the 2025 Clash, leading an impressive 171 of the 200 laps.

How Drivers Qualify

The fastest 20 drivers from qualifying will automatically advance to the main event. The remaining 18 drivers will then compete in the Last Chance Qualifier, where the top two finishers will earn their spots in the Cook Out Clash. A provisional entry is also reserved for the driver who achieved the highest ranking in the 2025 driver points standings but did not otherwise qualify.

Viewing Options

Fans can catch all the action live on FOX, beginning with practice and qualifying at 11 a.m. ET. The Last Chance Qualifier will be broadcast on both FOX and HBO Max at 4:30 p.m. ET, leading up to the main event’s 6 p.m. ET start time. A pre-race show will begin at 5:30 p.m. ET.

Expert Insight: The Cook Out Clash serves as a crucial opportunity for drivers to shake off any off-season rust and fine-tune their setups before the competitive pressure of the points-paying races begins. It’s a valuable, albeit non-championship, proving ground.

For those preferring to stream, the race is available on FoxSports.com and the Fox Sports app. It can be streamed on Fubo, which is currently offering a free trial.

Frequently Asked Questions

What time does the 2026 Cook Out Clash start?

The 2026 Cook Out Clash is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Feb. 4.

What channel will the NASCAR Cook Out Clash be on?

The 2026 Cook Out Clash will be televised nationally on FOX.

How can I stream the NASCAR Cook Out Clash?

The 2026 Cook Out Clash can be streamed on FoxSports.com and the Fox Sports app, as well as on Fubo.

As drivers prepare to compete at Bowman grey Stadium, the question remains: will Chase Elliott repeat his dominant performance from 2025, or will a new champion emerge to start the 2026 NASCAR season?