Who won the NASCAR race today? Ryan Preece beats Byron in Clash thriller

Ryan Preece stunned NASCAR competitors by winning the 2026 Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium Wednesday night. The 35-year-old RFK Racing driver overcame challenging winter conditions and 17 cautions to capture his first major Cup Series moment. Preece beat William Byron by nearly two seconds in a rain-soaked thriller that lasted over three hours.

Preece Masters the Short Track in Treacherous Conditions

The Connecticut native wheeled his Ford to glory on the historic 0.25-mile Bowman Gray track despite being collected in multiple earlier incidents. His masterful car control shined through as drivers struggled with wet tires and slippery conditions. Preece led for good with just 44 laps remaining, holding off all challengers to the checkered flag.

This victory marks a breakthrough moment for Preece, who has competed full-time for six seasons in the NASCAR Cup Series. The win comes in an exhibition race format, serving as the official season opener for 2026. His short-track expertise proved decisive on the challenging surface.

Winter Weather Creates Chaotic 200-Lap Battle

The race faced unprecedented conditions after the event was postponed from Sunday due to 8-10 inches of historic snowfall in the Winston-Salem, North Carolina area. Wednesday brought fresh challenges as sleet fell at Lap 100, forcing NASCAR to extend the scheduled halfway break for precipitation removal and tire changes. Drivers switched to Goodyear wet-weather tires as conditions deteriorated dramatically.

The restart proved treacherous immediately. Denny Hamlin slid sideways into polesitter Kyle Larson, who spun backward into the Turn 4 SAFER barrier while Preece spun behind the chaos. Multiple drivers including Josh Berry and Austin Cindric struggled to find grip throughout the night, sliding into barriers and igniting contact-filled restarts.

Final Results and Race Statistics

Finishing Position	Driver	Car Number
1st Place	Ryan Preece	No. 60
2nd Place	William Byron	No. 24
3rd Place	Ryan Blaney	No. 12
4th Place	Daniel Suarez	No. 20
5th Place	Denny Hamlin	No. 6

The 200-lap race extended beyond three hours due to frequent cautions and restarts. Carson Hocevar led 18 laps when conditions favored aggressive drivers, but contact from Ty Gibbs damaged Hocevar’s car severely. Road-course ace Shane van Gisbergen led twice for 15 laps before Chase Briscoe sent him spinning late in the event.

We had a really good car.

— Ryan Preece, Cook Out Clash Winner

Byron Falls Short Despite Strong Initial Positioning

William Byron locked down the front row alongside polesitter Kyle Larson after qualifying, but the wet conditions neutralized early advantages. Byron charged hard as the race progressed, recovering from early incidents to claim second place. His No. 24 Chevrolet stayed competitive throughout, but Preece’s late-race charge proved too much to overcome.

Byron’s runner-up finish demonstrates Hendrick Motorsports’ strength heading into the 2026 season. After winning the 2025 regular season championship, Byron aimed to carry momentum into this exhibition event. Multiple Contact incidents and tire strategy choices cost position early.

What Does This Victory Mean for the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series Season?

Preece’s Clash victory provides confidence as he enters his seventh full-time season competing in NASCAR’s top series. The win proves his ability to execute under extreme pressure and challenging track conditions that test driver skill and car control fundamentals. Does this success signal a breakthrough year for the RFK Racing driver, or was it a one-off victory in an exhibition format?

Kyle Larson, who started from the pole, struggled significantly after Hamlin’s early-race contact sent him toward the barriers. His struggles suggest that front-row starting position provided minimal advantage on the slick short track. Meanwhile, the midfield competitors showed consistent pace in the wet weather, indicating parity across the field heading into Daytona.

Sources

• NASCAR Official – Race recap and final finishing order for the 2026 Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium
• WCNC – Live coverage and winner interview with race-day analysis from Winston-Salem track
• Fox Sports – Extended highlights including final laps and weather condition updates throughout the event