NASCAR confirms major calendar change to 2025 Cup Series with return of historic track
NASCAR has announced a major change to the 2025 Cup Series calendar. The legendary Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, once a cornerstone of NASCAR racing, will host the season opener on February 2, 2025. This event, dubbed “The Clash,” marks a return to roots for NASCAR and brings the Cup Series back to the track for the first time since 1971.
Built in 1937 and affectionately known as the “Madhouse,” Bowman Gray has long been a part of NASCAR history, hosting the Cup Series from 1958 to 1971. Ben Kennedy, Executive Vice President and Chief Venue & Racing Innovation Officer at NASCAR, commented on the calendar change as quoted by Motorsport:
“Bowman Gray Stadium has a rich motorsports history and we look forward to bringing the Cup Series back to this venerable racetrack for the first time since 1971.
“As NASCAR’s first weekly racetrack, Bowman Gray Stadium holds a special place as the original home of the sport’s grassroots format. With a history of intense competition, we are proud to host The Clash at ‘The Madhouse.'”
Winston-Salem Mayor Allen Joines also stated:
“The City of Winston-Salem is very excited and grateful that NASCAR has selected Bowman Gray Stadium to host The Clash in 2025. This further solidifies our city’s relationship with NASCAR and the many fans in the region as we welcome the NASCAR Cup Series back to Bowman Gray Stadium.”
As anticipation builds, NASCAR Studios and FOX Sports Films are producing a documentary titled “The Madhouse: NASCAR’s Return to Bowman Gray Stadium,” promising fans an intimate look at the racetrack’s transformation and historical significance.
Current status of the NASCAR Cup Series
- Kyle Larson – 779 points
- Denny Hamlin – 758 points
- Christopher Bell – 701 points
- William Byron – 678 points
- Ryan Blaney – 702 points
- Tyler Reddick – 774 points
- Chase Elliott – 773 points
- Brad Keselowski – 636 points
- Alex Bowman – 615 points
- Joey Logano – 557 points
- Daniel Suarez – 497 points
- Austin Cindric – 451 points
- Martin Truex Jr. – 662 points
- Ty Gibbs – 602 points
- Bubba Wallace – 587 points
- Chris Buescher – 584 points
(PLAYOFF CUT-OFF) - Ross Chastain – 584 points
- Chase Briscoe – 485 points
- Kyle Busch – 465 points
- Todd Gilliland – 454 points
- Michael McDowell – 431 points
- Carson Hocevar – 414 points
- Josh Berry – 412 points
- Noah Gragson – 400 points
- Ricky Stenhouse Jr. – 376 points
- Ryan Preece – 341 points
- Erik Jones – 337 points
- Justin Haley – 329 points
- Corey LaJoie – 327 points
- Daniel Hemric – 323 points
- Austin Dillon – 319 points
- John Hunter Nemechek – 313 points
- Zane Smith – 262 points
- Harrison Burton – 243 points
- Kaz Grala – 166 points
- Cody Ware – 47 points
- Joey Hand – 43 points
- Jimmie Johnson – 39 points
- Derek Kraus – 32 points
- David Ragan – 17 points
- Kamui Kobayashi – 8 points
- Will Brown – 6 points
- Cam Waters – 2 points