Twice delayed by snow and freezing temperatures, moved to a midweek date and finally run in temperatures ranging from the mid 40s to high 30s still didn’t deter NASCAR fans.
The Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium was moved from the original date of Sunday, Feb. 1 to Wednesday, Feb. 4 when a winter storm hit the Winston Salem, NC area through the weekend. Valiant efforts by NASCAR, the City of Winston Salem and NC Department of Transportation readied the stadium and area roads.
Despite all that Mother Nature threw at them, the fans in the stands still showed up and were glad to be in attendance for the 48th running of the non-points paying race.
Snow Delays Didn’t Dampen Out of Towner
Chris Wolfe drove in from Murfreesboro, TN to take in the 200-lap race on Sunday. When that didn’t happen, the ardent race fan stuck around until Wednesday killing time like any good race fan would.
“I was here last year for The Clash and it was a really, really enjoyable race,” Wolfe said, while wearing a The Clash hoodie and Buffalo Bills knit hat. “I get nostalgic for old-time racing, and I know this is one of the original tracks for stock car racing dating back to the 1940’s.
“The snow delays were unfortunate. I knew they wouldn’t get the race in on Sunday, so I waited until then to make the drive over. Through the past few days, I took in the Memory Lane Museum (Mooresville, NC), went to Richard Childres Racing Museum, Childress Vineyards and I went to the Petty Museum this morning.
“My wife isn’t with me, who would have been bored out of her mind if she was, so I took advantage of the extra days. I can tell you one thing; this is definitely the coldest stock car race I’ve ever seen in my life. But it’s worth it to come here.”
Hometown Fans Came to Represent
While some fans didn’t travel like Chris Wolfe, others had a short trek to the .0.25-mile oval located around a college football field.
Piper Mills was sporting a black hat with a bright No. 3 as she and her husband were walking the concourse. The residents of Winston-Salem were also returning customers for the NASCAR race.
“We came to the race last year,” Mills said. “I just love racing and we get to see the top series of NASCAR right here in Winston Salem. I give credit to everyone who did all they did to get this race in today.
“There was a lot to overcome with all the snow, cold temperatures and getting everything ready. They did a great job and it’s good to see The Clash is going to take place.
“We were coming to this race no matter what.”
All Hendrick Front Row
For the efforts, fans were rewarded with a Hendrick Motorsports front row for The Clash scheduled for 6 p.m. Defending NCS Champion Kyle Larson will start on the pole with a fast lap of 14.137 seconds. Outside of him will be his Hendrick teammate of William Byron with time of 14.141 seconds.
Catch the 75-lap Last Chance Qualifier at 4:30 p.m. and The Clash at 6 p.m. on FOX-TV, MRN and Sirius XM Radio.
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