NASCAR returned to its roots with a fight-free preseason exhibition at Bowman Gray Stadium, where Chase Elliott dominated to win The Clash on Sunday night. Elliott started from the pole position after winning his heat earlier in the weekend and led 172 laps of the 200-lap event.
The Clash, which was held at Bowman Gray for the first time since 1971, marked a return to grassroots racing and proved to be a successful throwback to NASCAR’s roots. The event, which is not a points race, saw Elliott outpace Denny Hamlin and Ryan Blaney in a thrilling door-to-door battle.
Elliott joined his father Bill as winners of The Clash, who won the event in 1987 before going on to win the Daytona 500. For Elliott, winning The Clash was a special moment, especially considering it was held at a track with deep history in NASCAR. “This environment is special,” he said. “I think they deserve this event.”
The event marked the first time the Cup Series has raced at Bowman Gray Stadium since 1971 and saw no on-track incidents despite the stadium’s reputation for flared tempers. The win marked Elliott’s first victory in The Clash, with Blaney taking second place behind a dominating performance from the Hendrick Motorsports driver.
With the win, Elliott looks forward to repeating his father’s dominance at the Daytona International Speedway when NASCAR’s season officially opens on February 16.
Source: https://www.espn.com/racing/nascar/story/_/id/43672167/chase-elliott-wins-clash-bowman-gray-eyes-daytona-500