Despite Ryan Blaney’s best efforts, Chase Elliott held on to win Sunday’s Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium in dominant fashion.
Elliott started the race from the pole and led 171 of 200 laps, beating Blaney by 1.3 seconds. Blaney started last (23rd) before making his way through the field. However, Elliott navigated through lapped traffic without issue over the closing laps, while a few hiccups from Blaney kept the No. 9 out in front.
Elliott’s victory comes 38 years after his father, Bill Elliott, won the 1987 Busch Clash at Daytona International Speedway. The win is Chase Elliott’s first in the season-opening exhibition race.
“It’s nice to win,” Elliott told Fox Sports. “Proud of our team for continuing to keep our heads down. Ryan kept the heat on us at the end. Denny was really good before the break. Fortunately, it worked out, it’s a great way to start the season.”
Chase Elliott lost the lead to Denny Hamlin just before the lap 100 halfway break after losing rear grip. In the race’s second half, however, Chase Elliott managed his tires to a tee in order to score the victory.
Blaney, Hamlin, Joey Logano and Bubba Wallace rounded out the top five, with Ross Chastain, Austin Cindric, Tyler Reddick, Shane van Gisbergen and Chris Buescher rounding out the top-10.
Other notable finishers include Christopher Bell in 12th, Kyle Busch in 15th, Kyle Larson in 17th, Brad Keselowski in 21st and Chase Briscoe in 23rd.
The 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season will officially begin with the 67th running of the Daytona 500 on Feb. 16.
