Elliott: Bowman Gray Stadium a Major Upgrade from LA Coliseum Clash Race
Race winner Chase Elliott praised the NASCAR Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium, calling it a significant improvement over recent years at the LA Coliseum.
Crowd watching motorsport race from stands
Elliott dominated the 200-lap exhibition race, leading 171 laps and securing victory after passing Denny Hamlin on lap 126. The event showcased competitive racing with drivers successfully utilizing multiple racing lines, including the challenging outside lane on the short track.
Key highlights of the event included:
- Side-by-side racing throughout the field
- Significant tire wear affecting strategy
- Ryan Blaney's impressive charge from 23rd to 2nd place
- Sold-out attendance with fans from 44 states, five countries, and three continents
Elliott identified three main advantages of Bowman Gray over the Coliseum:
- Larger track size with longer straightaways
- Less sharp corner apexes
- Aged track surface promoting better tire management
The event marked a successful transition from the LA Coliseum, where the Clash had been held since 2022 with the introduction of the Next Gen car. The historic Bowman Gray Stadium proved to be an excellent venue for NASCAR's special exhibition race, with both drivers and fans embracing the new location.
"If we're going to race on a football field, this is probably as good a place as any to do it," Elliott concluded, endorsing the venue for future events.