Chase Elliott and Chris Buescher Secure Front Row for NASCAR's Bowman Gray Clash

Chase Elliott and Chris Buescher Secure Front Row for NASCAR's Bowman Gray Clash

By Michael Anderson

February 4, 2025 at 10:35 PM

Chase Elliott and Chris Buescher will lead the field in the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium after dominating their respective heat races. The front row positions were determined through four 25-lap heat races that locked in the first 20 drivers for Sunday's main event.

NASCAR racers led by Chase Elliott

NASCAR racers led by Chase Elliott

Heat Race Results:

Heat 1 (Top 5 Advancing):

  • Chase Elliott (Winner)
  • Brad Keselowski
  • Noah Gragson
  • Kyle Busch
  • Ross Chastain

The first heat saw three cautions, including incidents involving Austin Dillon, Justin Haley, and Josh Berry. Kyle Busch and Haley had a notable confrontation, leading to NASCAR issuing Busch a "final warning."

Heat 2 (Top 5 Advancing):

  • Chris Buescher (Winner)
  • Chase Briscoe
  • Shane van Gisbergen
  • Bubba Wallace
  • Daniel Suarez

Heat 3 (Top 5 Advancing):

  • Denny Hamlin (Winner)
  • Joey Logano
  • William Byron
  • Carson Hocevar
  • Alex Bowman

Heat 4 (Top 5 Advancing):

  • Tyler Reddick (Winner)
  • Christopher Bell
  • Ryan Preece
  • Austin Cindric
  • Todd Gilliland

The remaining drivers will compete for two spots in Sunday's Last Chance Qualifying race. A 23rd spot will be awarded to the highest-ranked driver from the 2024 championship standings not yet qualified.

Elliott emphasized the importance of starting position, noting that "the first couple of rows certainly have a massive advantage on the rest of the field." For Buescher, this marks his first Clash qualification under the current format after previously struggling to advance in Los Angeles.

The Last Chance Qualifying race is scheduled for 6 p.m. ET Sunday.

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