Chase Elliott and Chris Buescher claimed front-row starting positions for the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium after dominating their respective heat races. Each of the four 25-lap heat races qualified five drivers for Sunday's main event.

The first heat saw the most action, with three cautions due to aggressive driving. Elliott led wire-to-wire, followed by Brad Keselowski, Noah Gragson, Kyle Busch, and Ross Chastain. Notable incidents included Austin Dillon's early spin and heated exchanges between Kyle Busch and Justin Haley.

Heat two ran caution-free with Buescher leading Chase Briscoe, Shane van Gisbergen, Bubba Wallace, and Daniel Suarez to the finish. This marks Buescher's first Clash qualification under the current format.

Denny Hamlin dominated the third heat, leading every lap ahead of Joey Logano, William Byron, Carson Hocevar, and Alex Bowman.

The fourth heat, won by Tyler Reddick, saw two cautions involving AJ Allmendinger, Cole Custer, Ryan Preece, and John Hunter Nemechek. Christopher Bell, Preece, Austin Cindric, and Todd Gilliland rounded out the transfer spots.

Two remaining spots will be determined through Sunday's Last Chance Qualifying race, with a final position reserved for the highest-ranked 2024 championship driver not yet qualified.

"Track position will be crucial," Elliott noted. "The first couple of rows have a massive advantage, though anything can happen in racing."

The Last Chance Qualifying race begins Sunday at 6 p.m. ET.

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