Kyle Larson is the defending champ and clearly one of the top drivers in NASCAR.  The 2026 "preseason" kicks off this weekend in Winston-Salem, North Carolina with the Clash.  There is racing both Saturday and Sunday, weather permitting.

Here are the preseason NASCAR Power Rankings by Bob Pockrass as if NASCAR rankings mean anything.  From Bob/NASCAR on Fox:

The weather forecast does not look favorable, very cold and snow.

Camera crew getting ready.

Currently some of the so called Fan Events leading up to the race weekend have been canceled due to forecasted weather, but the actual racing events are currently still on at this time.

Still the forecast does not look favorable.

 

 

Racing at one of my favorite tracks they had to clear ice from the seats.

Everything on Saturday has been canceled and moved to Sunday.  We'll wait and see how long Plan B works.

It's 17 degrees in Winston Salem At 11 AM.  Winter strom warning in effect until 7 AM Sunday.  Why doesn't NASCAR do their fans justice and cancel this event.

47 minutes ago, 4 Quarters said:

It's 17 degrees in Winston Salem At 11 AM.  Winter strom warning in effect until 7 AM Sunday.  Why doesn't NASCAR do their fans justice and cancel this event.

Because they are determined to get it in.  The temp is the same at my place no matter what happens in NC so I want to see them race. 

3 minutes ago, theguru said:

Because they are determined to get it in.  The temp is the same at my place no matter what happens in NC so I want to see them race. 

Yeah, I agree.  Actually here in my lazy boy it's 74 degrees.  Even if I had a ticket I would not be a Bowman Gray Stadium. LOL

They'll try again on Monday.

From NASCAR.com:

Monday, February 2

11 a.m., NASCAR Cup Series: Practice and Qualifying at Bowman Gray Stadium, FS2
4:30 p.m., NASCAR Cup Series: Cook Out Clash Last Chance Qualifier at Bowman Gray Stadium, FOX
5:30 p.m., NASCAR RaceDay, FOX
6 p.m., NASCAR Cup Series: Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium, FOX

Update, everything has been moved to Wednesday!

22 minutes ago, 4 Quarters said:

Update, everything has been moved to Wednesday!

1:30 p.m., NASCAR Cup Series: Practice and Qualifying at Bowman Gray Stadium, FOX Sports App
4:30 p.m., NASCAR Cup Series: Cook Out Clash Last Chance Qualifier at Bowman Gray Stadium, FOX
6 p.m., NASCAR Cup Series: Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium, FOX

Booity, Booity, Booity, let's go racing!

57 minutes ago, 4 Quarters said:

Booity, Booity, Booity, let's go racing!

"Boogity, boogity, boogity!" is the famous catchphrase of late NASCAR announcer Darrell Waltrip, used to kick off races with "Let's go racin', boys!", inspired by the 1974 Ray Stevens song "The Streak". It signifies the start of the race, bringing excitement and becoming a beloved, though sometimes divisive, part of NASCAR broadcasting legacy.