Get ready for the thrilling NASCAR Cup Series action at Bowman Gray Stadium! On February 4, 2026, adrenaline will be pumping as drivers prepare for an exciting day of practice and qualifying. The event kicks off with two practice sessions lasting eight minutes each, followed by a crucial group qualifying session scheduled for Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. ET. Fans can catch all the action live via the FOX Sports App, provided they have access to FS1 and log in through their service provider.
Due to winter weather conditions, the anticipated heat races have been canceled. However, the stakes remain high: the twenty fastest drivers from the qualifying rounds will automatically secure their spots in the much-anticipated 200-lap main event, which starts at 6 p.m. ET. Viewers can tune in on FOX, MRN Radio, HBO Max, or SiriusXM NASCAR Radio to witness the excitement as it unfolds.
But wait, there’s more! The competition doesn’t end there. Drivers who finish in the top two positions during the 75-lap Last Chance Qualifier Race, taking place at 4:30 p.m. ET, will also earn entry into the main race, filling positions 21 and 22. The 23rd spot will go to the highest-ranking driver from the 2025 final standings who did not qualify through the LCQ.
Practice Groups Breakdown
Drivers will be divided into three groups during practice:
- Group 1: AJ Allmendinger, Todd Gilliland, Zane Smith, Connor Zilisch, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Daniel Suárez, Cole Custer, Ty Dillon, Noah Gragson, Riley Herbst, Ryan Preece, Chad Finchum, Burt Myers (i)
- Group 2: Alex Bowman, Austin Cindric, Austin Dillon, Josh Berry, Chris Buescher, Cody Ware, Ty Gibbs, Corey LaJoie, Kyle Busch, Michael McDowell, Carson Hocevar, Erik Jones, John Hunter Nemechek
- Group 3: Kyle Larson, Denny Hamlin, Chase Briscoe, William Byron, Christopher Bell, Joey Logano, Chase Elliott, Tyler Reddick, Ross Chastain, Bubba Wallace, Shane van Gisbergen, Ryan Blaney
Qualifying Groups Overview
When it comes to qualifying, the drivers will again be grouped:
- Group 1: Cole Custer, Ty Dillon, Noah Gragson, Riley Herbst, Ryan Preece, Chad Finchum, Burt Myers (i), AJ Allmendinger, Todd Gilliland, Zane Smith, Connor Zilisch, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Daniel Suárez
- Group 2: Ty Gibbs, Corey LaJoie, Kyle Busch, Michael McDowell, Carson Hocevar, Erik Jones, John Hunter Nemechek, Alex Bowman, Austin Cindric, Austin Dillon, Josh Berry, Chris Buescher
- Group 3: Joey Logano, Chase Elliott, Tyler Reddick, Ross Chastain, Bubba Wallace, Shane van Gisbergen, Kyle Larson, Denny Hamlin, Chase Briscoe, William Byron, Christopher Bell, Ryan Blaney
Qualifying Results
The results of the qualifying rounds will determine the starting positions for the Cook Out Clash. Positions 1 to 20 will be filled based on qualifying times, while positions 21 and 22 will come from the Last Chance Qualifier. The 23rd position is reserved for the highest-ranked driver from the previous season's standings who didn’t qualify.
Will your favorite driver make it to the main event? What do you think about the cancellation of the heat races? Share your thoughts below!
