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Cook Out named entitlement partner for NASCAR races at Bowman Gray Stadium

Rod Mullins
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Photo: Andrew Mullins/AFP

We are roughly one month away from the start of the 2025 NASCAR season and this year, NASCAR’s much-anticipated return to Bowman Gray Stadium gets an exciting upgrade with the announcement of Cook Out as the entitlement partner for two historic races: the Cook Out Clash on Sunday, Feb. 2, and the Cook Out Madhouse Classic on Saturday, Feb. 1.

Ben Kennedy, NASCAR Executive Vice President, described the partnership as transformative.

“Cook Out’s involvement elevates this historic weekend,” he said. “We’re excited to collaborate and deliver a memorable experience for fans.”

The Cook Out Madhouse Classic, an invitation-only event, will showcase Bowman Gray Stadium’s Modified Division stars, including NASCAR Hall of Famer Bobby Labonte, piloting the No. 18 Cook Out Modified.

Cook Out’s ties to NASCAR include sponsorship of the Cook Out 400 at Martinsville and Richmond, the Cook Out Southern 500, and active involvement at grassroots levels.

Jeremy Reaves, Cook Out Co-Owner, shared his enthusiasm: “Cook Out loves Winston-Salem and racing. We’re thrilled to unite the community through the Cook Out Clash and Madhouse Classic.”

Bowman Gray Stadium, established in 1937, is NASCAR’s oldest weekly racetrack. It last hosted a NASCAR Cup Series race in 1971. The Cook Out Clash marks the Cup Series’ long-awaited return and will be broadcast live on FOX.

Tickets for Saturday’s Cook Out Madhouse Classic remain available, including access to NASCAR Cup Series practice and qualifying sessions.

Bowman Gray Stadium holds a special place in NASCAR’s legacy, hosting 29 Cup Series races from 1958 to 1971. It’s known as the “Madhouse” for its unique, exciting short-track racing atmosphere.

For more information, visit bowmangrayracing.com.

Rod Mullins

Rod Mullins

Rod Mullins covers NASCAR for AFP, the co-host of the “Street Knowledge” focusing on NASCAR with AFP editor Chris Graham, and is the editor of Dickenson Media. A graduate of UVA-Wise, Rod began his career in journalism as a reporter for The Cumberland Times, later became the program director/news director/on-air morning show host for WNVA in Norton, Va., and in the early 1990s served as the sports information director at UVA-Wise and was the radio “Voice of the Highland Cavaliers” for football and basketball for seven seasons. In 1995, Rod transitioned to public education, where he has worked as a high school English, literature, and creative writing teacher and now serves as a school program coordinator in addition to serving as a mentor for the robotics team.