Austin Dillon and the No. 3 Bass Pro Shops/Winchester Chevrolet Team Start 2026 on a High Note with Strong Finish at Bowman Gray Stadium
Finish: 7th Start: 15th
“What a fight all night from this No. 3 Bass Pro Shops/Winchester Chevrolet team. The rain tires saved our night. We struggled on the slicks. When the rain and sleet came, it put us back in the ballgame and we found speed at the end of the run. I got shipped a couple times and probably should have been in the wall, but was able to save it in turns three and four. Proud of the effort from everyone at Richard Childress Racing. It’s a good start to our season.” -Austin Dillon
Kyle Busch and the No. 8 zone Nicotine Pouches Chevrolet Team Turn Focus to Daytona 500 Following Short Track Battle at Bowman Gray Stadium
Finish: 19th Start: 13th
“The entire No. 8 zone Nicotine Pouches Chevrolet team fought hard today. We lacked grip at the start of the race, but after making changes at the halfway point we were battling our way to the front. We unfortunately got caught up in on-track contact a few times tonight and are leaving Bowman Gray Stadium with a 19th-place finish. But, I’m ready to turn my focus to the Daytona 500 and getting back to Victory Lane.” -Kyle Busch
FORD MUSTANG DARK HORSE AND RYAN PREECE WIN CLASH AT BOWMAN GRAY STADIUM
Ryan Preece captured his first win at the NASCAR Cup level with tonight’s win in the Clash at Bowman Gray
Preece is the eighth different Ford driver to win the Clash, joining Bill Elliott, Geoffrey Bodine, Dale Jarrett, Rusty Wallace, Mark Martin, Joey Logano and Brad Keselowski.
This marks Ford’s 11th victory in the Clash.
It’s also the first win for co-owner Jack Roush in the Clash since Martin’s triumph in 1999.
RYAN PREECE, No. 60 Kroger/Coca-Cola Ford Mustang Dark Horse – VICTORY LANE INTERVIEW
WHAT ARE YOUR EMOTIONS RIGHT NOW? “Man, they all hit me. I feel bad for Roush Yates Engines right now because that thing is bouncing off the chip pretty hard. I’ve got to thank Ford, Ford Racing and everybody there with all the support they give us. As far as emotions go, when you work as hard as I have, I hate talking about it because I hate getting emotional about it, but it’s not just the Clash – winning means everything to me. I’ve put a lot into it.”
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO WIN AT THIS PLACE? “I’m a quarter-mile killer. When it comes to this style of racing it’s what I grew up doing. I used to drive for a guy, Eddie Partridge, and he owned Riverhead Raceway, and I was racing for Bill Park and it’s an absolute grind. The moment to get here, it’s a lead up to the year and it’s not a points race, but winning means everything. Man, I’m just speechless.”
DRY TRACK. WET TRACK. DRYING TRACK. WHAT WAS THE KEY TO GET YOU TO THE FRONT AND THEN SURVIVE AT THE END? “Just having lanes go my way. I think the short track side of understanding how to not get bullied, but understand you don’t want to piss somebody off. There’s a balance. I definitely didn’t want a caution. I was kind of pacing myself those last 10 laps because I didn’t want to run them down and put ourselves in that position to have to put myself in a bad position. I usually give a good interview, but this is just amazing.”
FORD FINISHING RESULTS 1st – Ryan Preece 3rd – Ryan Blaney 8th – Chris Buescher 11th – Joey Logano 12th – Josh Berry 21st – Austin Cindric
RYAN BLANEY, No. 12 Menards/Great Lakes Flooring Ford Mustang Dark Horse – YOU WENT FROM THE BACK TO THE FRONT SO MANY TIMES, AND PASSED SO MANY CARS. HOW DO YOU DESCRIBE YOUR NIGHT AS A WHOLE? “A pretty wild day. From the race, we were really, really good in the dry. I thought we were the best car by a mile the first half, driving from 16th to fourth and I was really looking forward to getting the second half going and then it started raining. A wintry mix I guess you could call it, and then the rain tires went on and when we fired off in the rain I went straight backwards. I wasn’t good. My car wasn’t handling good, and then as it started to dry out my car came back. Even on the wet tires, my car came back a little bit and we were able to pick a couple good lanes and creep through there and ended up third. Overall, a back and forth night, but I’m proud of the effort and proud of a really fast car in the dry, and then just sticking with it in the wet. It dried up a little bit for us to be able to go back forward.”
WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE FOR A DRIVER WHEN THINGS CHANGE ON THE TRACK? “It’s odd. Honestly, I was pretty nervous because our car was so good in the dry. When you just throw wets on it you can’t really adjust anything. I’m like, ‘Uh oh, I don’t know if we’re gonna be very good,’ because what my car did really good in the dry is not what you really want in the wet, so I was nervous about that. But, I was just looking forward to it to stop raining and hopefully get somewhat of a dry lane going on and it eventually did. My car came back a little bit. It still handles way different on wet tires, but it’s pretty fun as a driver. When it first got raining it was really top dominant. The bottom was so slippery and you saw a bunch of guys that couldn’t really pass anybody, but once the dry lane started and kind of started working down you could have a little more options, so that makes it fun as a driver. An ever-changing racetrack is neat and trying to look at the track lap to lap like, ‘Alright, did it get a little bit drier higher up or lower?’ That’s what is fun for a driver. We don’t do it that often, so it’s neat when we can do it.”
NASCAR Cup Series Bowman Gray Stadium Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium Team Chevy Post-Race Report February 4, 2026
· William Byron earned his career-best Clash finish under the Wednesday night lights of “The Madhouse” – driving his No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet to a runner-up finish in the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium. The 28-year-old Charlotte, North Carolina, native led Chevrolet to a manufacturer-leading five top-10 results – earned by four different Chevrolet organizations with Spire Motorsports’ Daniel Suarez in fourth; Richard Childress Racing’s Austin Dillon in seventh; Trackhouse Racing’s Ross Chastain in ninth; and Byron’s Hendrick Motorsports teammate, Alex Bowman, in 10th.
· In his first start with Spire Motorsports, Daniel Suarez brought home a strong top-five finish. Securing his spot in the main event through qualifying, the No. 7 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet came to life during the second-half of the race – making a quick climb through the top-10 to prove to be a contender throughout the closing laps. The 34-year-old Monterrey, Mexico, native went on to take the checkered flag in the fourth position to mark his career-best Clash finish.
· A manufacturer-leading 11 drivers representing four different Chevrolet organizations earned a starting position for the 48th running of the Clash. Picking up right where he left off, reigning NASCAR Cup Series champion, Kyle Larson, drove his No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet to the pole position for the twice-delayed Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium. Electing the bottom lane to take the green flag, Larson took command of the field with his Hendrick Motorsports teammate, William Byron, in tow to pace the field in the opening laps. A quiet 40 laps around the North Carolina quarter-mile saw Larson already approaching lap traffic when the first caution of the race flew for debris.
· A short green flag run led to the second caution of the race for an incident in Turn Four. With a challenge for the lead on the restart from Chase Briscoe, the speed in the No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet prevailed to quickly find his way back to the top position. But it was Larson’s teammate, Byron, that became his next challenger, with the 28-year-old Charlotte, North Carolina, native making the pass for the top position on Lap 71 to lead his first laps of the race. Despite getting moved up to the high lane for the lead, Byron continued in a side-by-side battle with a hard-charging Carson Hocevar for the third position – going on to maintain the position to the halfway break.
· The return to the track was short-lived as a wintery mix took over “The Madhouse”, forcing the race back under red flag conditions – ultimately making the second-half of the event deemed a wet weather race. Enduring a string of cautions, the Chevrolet camp had a strong presence in the front of the pack throughout the next 100-lap run with the manufacturer seeing six drivers in the top-10 as the race reached 50 laps to go. With an abundance of cautions laps already logged, fuel mileage became a growing concern throughout the garage with the pole sitter, Larson, becoming the first driver to lose his position after a stout climb back into the top-10. Shortly thereafter, the race was once again red-flagged with 36 laps to go to allow teams the opportunity for a fuel-only stop – setting up for an all-out race towards the checkered flag.
Team Chevy Unofficial Top-10 Results
Pos. Driver
2nd – William Byron 4th – Daniel Suarez 7th – Austin Dillon 9th – Ross Chastain 10th – Alex Bowman
The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season officially kicks off at Daytona International Speedway with the 68th running of the DAYTONA 500 on Sunday, February 15, at 2:30 P.M. ET. Live coverage can be found on FOX, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.
Post-Race Driver Quotes:
Ross Chastain, No. 1 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
Finished: 9th
“It sure was a cold day and really cold night here at Bowman Gray Stadium. It felt great to be in the Choice Privileges Chevrolet today and it was my first race with my new crew chief, Brandon McSwain. I experienced pretty much everything out there tonight – passing cars, being bumped, spinning, a wet track for the last half. It was eventful, that’s for sure. Brandon and the guys kept working on the car all night and finally towards the end we worked our way forward to ninth. It was wild out there tonight with everything we experienced, but I’m looking forward to getting to Daytona next week for the first points race of the season. I hope it’s a lot warmer there, that’s for sure.”
Austin Dillon, No. 3 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet
Finished: 7th
“What a fight all night from this No. 3 Bass Pro Shops/Winchester Chevrolet team. The rain tires saved our night. We struggled on the slicks. So when the rain and sleet came. It put us back in the ballgame and we found speed there at the end of the run. I got shipped a couple times and probably should have been in the wall, but was able to save it in turns three and four. Proud of the effort from everyone at Richard Childress Racing and it’s a good start to our season.”
Daniel Suarez, No. 7 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
Finished: 4th
“Very proud of this No. 7 Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation Chevrolet team. I think that the car was very, very capable of running in the top-five. In both the dry and wet conditions, I felt like we were pretty strong. There was a lot of contact throughout the race and at one point, it started to feel like it wasn’t driving as well anymore. But overall, happy to come home with a top-five. I think this was a good start for everyone on his No. 7 team.”
Kyle Busch, No. 8 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet
Finished: 19th
“The entire No. 8 zone Nicotine Pouches Chevrolet team fought hard today. We lacked grip at the start of the race, but after making changes at the halfway point we were battling our way to the front. We unfortunately got caught up in on-track contact a few times tonight and are leaving Bowman Gray Stadium with a 19th-place finish, but I’m ready to turn my focus to the Daytona 500 and getting back to victory lane.”
William Byron, No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Finished: 2nd
“It was just a marathon race. I feel like NASCAR did a good job with the rain conditions. I wish we would have had a practice session in the rain, just to kind of understand the characteristics a little better. It just seemed like guys were kind of using each other up. But then it started to dry up there at the end and it was fun. Overall, it was a solid finish and good start to the season for the No. 24 Valvoline Chevrolet team.”
Connor Zilisch, No. 88 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
Finished: 18th
“It was a very chaotic race. At the end of that first run, we drove up to 12th. We had good speed in the dry conditions, but immediately when we fired off in the wet, our No. 88 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet was really fast. Once the cautions started coming out every other lap, it started to become a bit of a mess. The restarts just became really chaotic and that kind of cost us track position. We were running inside the top-seven, top-eight; just got clipped in a wreck and that kind of killed our night. We had glimmers of hope, just disappointed to come home where we did considering the day and the speed that we had.”
Shane van Gisbergen, No. 97 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
Finished: 20th
“It was a good bit of fun. There were moments of brilliance and moments that weren’t. It was cool to get to the front. We were just trying to search for the grip. The wet weather conditions were very different than what I’ve raced in Supercars, just with the way the corners are and the way the rubber lays down. But then it started to come back up again and dry up. It was pretty wild.
But all-in-all, happy with our run and it’s a good way to start the season for this No. 97 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet team.”
About General Motors
General Motors (NYSE:GM) is driving the future of transportation, leveraging advanced technology to build safer, smarter, and lower emission cars, trucks, and SUVs. GM’s Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, and GMC brands offer a broad portfolio of innovative gasoline-powered vehicles and the industry’s widest range of EVs, as we move to an all-electric future. Learn more at GM.com.
Toyota Places Two in the Top 10 in Exhibition Race to Kick Off 2026 Season
WINSTON-SALEM, NC (February 4, 2026) – Two Toyota Camry XSE drivers finished in the top 10 in Wednesday night’s Cookout Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium. Denny Hamlin was the top-finishing Toyota with a fifth-place result in the Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) No. 11 Camry. His JGR teammate, Chase Briscoe, finished in sixth-place after leading 35 laps as he battled for the lead throughout the majority of the race that featured a Clash record 17 cautions.
The 2026 season will officially begin at Daytona International Speedway when the NASCAR Cup Series competes in the Daytona 500 on Sunday, February 15.
Toyota Post-Race Recap NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) Bowman Gray Stadium The Clash – 200 laps
TOYOTA FINISHING POSITIONS
1st, Ryan Preece* 2nd, William Byron* 3rd, Ryan Blaney* 4th, Daniel Suarez* 5th, DENNY HAMLIN 6th, CHASE BRISCOE 13th, CHRISTOPHER BELL 14th, TY GIBBS 22nd, TYLER REDDICK 23rd, BUBBA WALLACE *non-Toyota driver
Preece Claims First Career Cup Victory, Buescher 8th
CONCORD, NC (February 5, 2026) – It was worth the wait for Roush Fenway Keselowski (RFK) Racing. After a snow storm blanketed the Winston Salem, NC area January 30, forcing the postponement of the Cook Out Clash from Sunday to Wednesday, the three car RFK team came to Bowman Gray Stadium with a blizzard of its own. Ryan Preece scored his first career Cup Series victory while Chris Buescher and Corey LaJoie held nothing back.
Ryan Preece #60 Kroger/Coca-Cola Ford Mustang
Ryan Preece delivered a career defining performance at Bowman Gray Stadium, charging from 18th to score his first NASCAR Cup Series victory in the Cook Out Clash. A win that validated years of perseverance.
“Two Years ago, I didn’t think I was gonna have a job,” said the Berlin, CT driver, his voice cracking as he spoke to live television in victory lane. “I thought I was going back to Connecticut, and I’m just super emotional”
Those emotions were justified after overcoming much adversity to score a hard fought win. From the drop of the green flag, Preece steadily moved forward, climbing to 16th by the first caution and confidently telling his team, “I’m coming boys.” He backed those words up, charging to 13th after passing Ross Chastain, and reaching ninth by the halfway point in the No. 60 Kroger/Coca Cola Ford continued to improve.
“I’m a quarter-mile killer. When it comes to this style of racing it’s what I grew up doing,” Preece added, following the race.
After pitting for four tires and adjustments, conditions turned ugly. Winter weather that had already delayed this race by three days, had returned. Following a mid-race break on a bitterly cold night, sleet began to fall, forcing teams onto rain tires. Calling it “pure survival,” Preece battled through minimal visibility and a slick surface. He was spun by Chastain shortly after the restart and dropped to 19th, but quickly rebounded, to surge back to eighth with 70 laps remaining.
From there, Preece put on a masterclass in changing conditions. He sliced through traffic on both grooves, high and low. His confident vow to his team that he was coming to the front came to full fruition when he took the lead at lap 143 of the 200 lap event. Although he relinquished it briefly, it was clear that he and his hard-nosed short track upbringing prepared him for this moment. After remaining the lead on lap 156, and dominating several restarts between then and the finish, Preece was sizzling hot on an icy cold night in Winston Salem.
“Man, (the emotions) all hit me. I feel bad for Roush Yates Engines right now because that thing is bouncing off the chip pretty hard,” said Preece. “I’ve got to thank Ford, Ford Racing and everybody there with all the support they give us. As far as emotions go, when you work as hard as I have, I hate talking about it because I hate getting emotional about it, but it’s not just the Clash – winning means everything to me. I’ve put a lot into it.”
Chris Buescher #17 Fifth Third Bank Ford Mustang
Chris Buescher fought through changing track conditions and constant cautions Wednesday to earn an eighth place finish in the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium. Starting eighth, Buescher moved to seventh by lap 20 and that the car was capable of running both the high and low lanes. He took advantage of the maneuverability, passing Christopher Bell to move into sixth by lap 40
As the race progressed though, handling shifted and the No. 17 Fifth Third Bank Ford became too loose, and Buescher to slip back to 16th by the halfway point. During the planed mid-race break, Crew chief Scott Graves brought him to the garage area for four tires and air pressure adjustments to tighten the car, reminding Buescher to stay patient with still 100 laps remaining.
The event turned chaotic when sleet and snow began falling, forcing teams onto rain tires. In the mixed conditions, Buescher clawed back into the top 10 late, running as high as seventh before late restarts shuffled the field. He avoided damage in several incidents and ultimately finished eighth in one of the most unpredictable races ever contested at Bowman Gray.
“Long night,” said Buescher. “Overall, we had decent speed. It fell off really hard with all the rain and ice. It was chaos out there. So, everything‘s a little worse off for the wear. I’m happy for Preece and the 60 bunch. That’s pretty cool. It was neat for them to pull it out with all those conditions.”
Corey Lajoie #6 Solomon Plumbing Ford Mustang
It was a valiant effort by Corey LaJoie. Substituting for Brad Keselowski, who is recovering from a broken leg suffered in December, Lajoie took the wheel the No. 6 Solomon Plumbing Ford Mustang at the Cook Out Clash. After qualifying outside the top 20, LaJoie was forced to race into the main event through the 75 lap Last Chance Qualifier (LCQ), where only the top two finishers advanced.
Starting fourth, LaJoie settled into a rhythm and went to work on the bottom line and began charging forward. Lajoie moved within eye shot of the final Clash qualifying spot when he passed John Hunter Nemechek for third. Still one more spot was needed and Lajoie approached it with bold aggression, chasing down AJ Allmendinger for the final transfer spot, taking second on Lap 62.
The coveted transfer spot though would not come easy. A side by side battle with Austin Cindric, where the two would exchange crossover moves, from the ourside lane to the inside, ensued during the closing laps. The second position swapped hands multiple times but LaJoie ultimately finished third, just short of advancing, after a determined and physical run.
“It was like a game of chess at 50 miles an hour. You wanted to be the guy on the inside obviously, but you don’t want to pass the guy because then he had the opportunity to get back to you,” Lajoie explained. “I came up a little bit short. It was exciting. It was fun to be in the fight. I hadn’t been in a fight like that in a long time.
About RFK Racing
RFK Racing, in its 39th season in 2026, features an ownership lineup pairing one of the sport’s most iconic names, Jack Roush, along with NASCAR Champion, Brad Keselowski, and Fenway Sports Group owner John Henry. Roush initially founded the team in 1988 and it has since become one of the most successful racing operations in the world, propelling him to be the first NASCAR owner to amass three hundred wins and capturing eight championships, including back-to-back NASCAR Cup titles in 2003 and 2004. Keselowski, a former owner in the NASCAR Truck Series, is the 2012 NASCAR Cup Series Champion. In 2007, Roush partnered with Henry, who also owns Major League Baseball’s Boston Red Sox, English Premier League’s Liverpool F.C., and the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins, to form Roush Fenway Racing. Off the track, RFK is a leader and proven winner in NASCAR marketing solutions, having produced multiple award-winning social media, digital content and experiential marketing campaigns. Visit https://www.rfkracing.com/ and follow the team on all social platforms @rfkracing.
RICK WARE RACING Cook Out Clash Date: Feb. 4, 2026 Event: Cook Out Clash (non-points race) Series: NASCAR Cup Series Location: Bowman Gray Stadium (quarter-mile, asphalt oval) Format: 200-lap Feature with a 23-car field Event Winner: Ryan Preece of RFK Racing (Ford)
Cody Ware, driver of the No. 51 Evel Knievel Museum Chevrolet
● Qualified 27th to start seventh in LCQ. (Only the top-20 cars in practice/qualifying advanced to the Clash.)
● Finished 15th in LCQ. (Only the top-two finishers, and highest driver in 2025 final points standings, advanced to the Clash.)
● Note: Ware was spun early in the 75-lap race.
“I feel like compared to 2025, it’s a night-and-day difference with the program, the speed in the car. Really didn’t get a chance to get far into the race before we got spun. I wish we could’ve had a shot to try to race our way in. We were a few spots shy of making it in and qualifying but, either way, I’m really proud of the 51 Chevrolet bunch and looking forward to putting a fast car on the racetrack in Daytona next week.”
Race Notes:
● Ryan Preece won the Cook Out Clash by 1.752 seconds over runner-up William Byron.
● All but one of the 23 drivers in the race finished on the lead lap.
● Bowman Gray is the country’s longest-running weekly racetrack.
Next Up:
The official start of the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season begins with Daytona Speedweek Feb. 11-15 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway. Daytona 500 qualifying takes place at 8:15 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Feb. 11 with live coverage on FS1 and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. Only the top-two positions will be locked into the 68th Daytona 500. The rest of the field will earn their respective starting positions in the Duel – twin 150-mile heat races that set the remainder of the Daytona 500 field. The Duel gets underway at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 12 with live coverage on FS1 and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. Daytona Speedweek then culminates with the Daytona 500 at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 15 with live coverage provided by FOX and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
The 2025 NASCAR Cup Series wrapped up only weeks ago, but the focus has already shifted to what comes next. The 2026 season brings real change, with NASCAR confirming the return of The Chase and a revised points structure. That announcement altered how the upcoming championship is being viewed almost immediately.
Kyle Larson’s late move at Phoenix once again left Denny Hamlin short of a long-awaited title. It was a familiar ending, and one that still lingers. Yet while the finish remains fresh, early expectations for 2026 are already taking shape. Futures odds for the new season are available well ahead of the opening race, reflecting how quickly long-term projections are now formed.
As the season moves closer and races begin, expectations continue to evolve. Most major sports betting platforms now reflect this by offering live betting alongside futures markets. Live betting refers to markets that update during competition, with odds adjusting in real time and in-play options such as point totals or play-by-play outcomes (source: gamechampions.com/en/reviews/betting/ ). Together, futures and live markets show how analysis now develops from preseason outlooks to race-by-race assessment.
Why the 2026 Format Changed the Conversation
NASCAR’s announcement on January 12 confirmed the end of the elimination-style playoffs. The Chase returns in a revised form. The season still includes 26 regular-season races. After that, the top 16 drivers in points advance. There is no automatic qualification based on wins.
The postseason consists of 10 races. The driver who scores the most points during that stretch becomes champion. There are no cut lines. There are no single-race eliminations.
This matters. The format rewards consistency more than timing. It reduces the impact of late cautions and single mistakes. It also places a premium on teams that can maintain performance across months.
Points allocation has also changed. A race win now earns 55 points instead of 40. Regular-season excellence still matters. The points leader entering The Chase receives a 25-point advantage.
Markets reacted quickly because the incentives are different. The drivers best suited to this format are not mystery picks. They are already known.
Hamlin and Larson Lead the Board for a Reason
Denny Hamlin and Kyle Larson open the 2026 season as co-favorites. Both sit at +500. That pairing reflects logic rather than hype.
Hamlin’s career resume is defined by sustained excellence. He rarely finishes outside the top ten in points. His teams avoid extended slumps. Under the previous playoff system, timing often worked against him. The Chase changes that equation.
Hamlin excels in cumulative formats. He manages races rather than chasing moments. Over a 10-race stretch, that discipline matters. Joe Gibbs Racing also enters 2026 without internal disruption. Stability adds value under this system.
Larson’s case is different but equally strong. He combines raw speed with adaptability. His success spans short tracks, intermediates, and high-wear surfaces. He accumulates points even on off days.
The Chase rewards drivers who can rebound quickly. Larson’s ability to do that is well established. Markets view him as resistant to format changes. That perception keeps him at the top.
Together, Hamlin and Larson represent the safest projections. They are not flawless. They are simply reliable.
The Second Tier Shows Confidence, Not Separation
William Byron and Ryan Blaney both sit at +625. Christopher Bell follows closely at +650. These numbers suggest proximity rather than parity.
Byron continues to grow into a complete championship contender. His regular-season results are strong. Hendrick Motorsports provides depth and technical strength. The concern has always been late-season execution. The Chase reduces pressure moments. That helps Byron.
Blaney’s profile fits the format well. He is calm over long stretches. His 2023 title still carries weight. The new Chase structure mirrors the environment where he has already succeeded.
Bell remains slightly behind in pricing. That reflects perception, not performance gaps. He is efficient. He finishes races cleanly. However, Bell rarely dominates stretches of the schedule. The Chase favors steady returns, but ceiling still matters.
This group represents the most credible alternatives to the favorites. Markets suggest that if the top two falter, the champion likely emerges from here.
Why Some Big Names Drifted Backward
Joey Logano’s odds moved significantly after the format announcement. He now sits at +2000. That shift was immediate.
Logano thrived under elimination rounds. He timed aggression well. He often peaked at the right moment. The Chase removes that advantage. There is no final-round reset. There is no winner-take-all race.
That does not diminish his talent. It changes his edge. Markets adjusted accordingly.
Kyle Busch and Brad Keselowski face longer odds. Busch sits at +5000. Keselowski is listed at +6500. These numbers reflect recent trends rather than legacy.
Both drivers remain capable of winning races. However, extended consistency has been harder to sustain. Team transitions and competitive depth also factor in. Futures markets tend to be unforgiving. Past championships do not shield current form.
The message is clear. Reputation alone does not carry weight under this structure.
Trackhouse Racing believes in his development curve. His junior results support that belief. However, the Chase format does not favor learning on the job. It rewards familiarity and recovery.
Markets acknowledge Zilisch’s upside. They also price in the difficulty of sustaining top-level performance across 36 races. The number suggests relevance, not expectation.
This placement reflects balance. It respects talent without projecting a breakthrough year prematurely.
The Middle of the Board Tells a Subtle Story
Several drivers fall into a crowded middle tier. Tyler Reddick sits at +1800. Ross Chastain follows at +2500. Chase Elliott is listed at +1100.
These drivers win races. They generate headlines. However, the Chase demands something different. It requires consistent top finishes even when pace is lacking.
Reddick’s strength lies in peak performance. Chastain’s comes from aggression. Elliott’s results have been uneven across recent seasons. None of those traits guarantee success under the new system.
Markets are not dismissing them. They are simply assigning realistic ceilings. The numbers suggest that each remains part of the conversation without leading it.
What the Odds Cannot Fully Capture
Early futures markets operate with limits. They cannot model every variable.
The schedule includes fatigue factors. The Bowman Gray Clash opens the season on February 1. Daytona follows two weeks later. Momentum shifts quickly in modern NASCAR.
Manufacturer development cycles also matter. Small gains compound across 10 Chase races. That effect may not surface until late summer.
Track sequencing within The Chase could reshape expectations. Drivers strong at specific venues may gain unseen advantages. Markets adjust over time. January numbers are foundations, not conclusions.
What the Early Markets Are Really Saying
The message from the futures board is consistent. The 2026 championship is expected to reward patience. It favors structure. It minimizes chaos.
Veteran teams with deep data models gain ground. Drivers who avoid mistakes gain leverage. Single-race brilliance matters less than sustained execution.
The Chase reduces volatility. The markets responded by narrowing the field. There is no wide-open narrative here. There is hierarchy. That does not eliminate surprises. It simply makes them harder to achieve.
Final Outlook for the 2026 Cup Series
The return of The Chase reshaped the Cup Series before a single lap was turned. Early futures markets reacted with clarity. They elevated drivers built for accumulation. They tempered expectations for those who relied on timing.
Hamlin and Larson stand where structure places them. Byron, Blaney, and Bell remain close. Others face a steeper climb.
The early outlook suggests a championship decided through discipline rather than drama. In 2026, the title will likely be earned steadily. It will not be stolen late. That is what the markets are telling us.
If you are injured in a car accident, even in a minor one, you should always consult with a Personal injury lawyer in South Carolina. Legal support is essential to safeguard your rights, secure proper compensation, and let you focus on recovery while a skilled professional manages your case.
This article aims to cover the most common car accident injuries and give an overview of what to expect for each.
Spinal Cord & Back Injuries
Back injuries are among the most common injuries from car accidents. Back injuries range from simple muscle strains to herniated discs or spinal cord damage, often resulting in chronic pain, limited mobility, or disability.
Cases involving back injuries require extensive documentation, expert testimony, medical care, and physical therapy, which can be laborious. Compensation must account for both immediate assistance and long-term care.
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)
Traumatic brain injuries are among the most serious injuries resulting from a car accident. Even minor accidents can shake the head enough to cause it to violently shift inside the skull during impact. TBIs can cause lingering symptoms such as memory loss, headaches, difficulty concentrating, and learning.
Legally, TBIs can be hard to account for. This is due to most symptoms developing over a long period and to insurance companies attempting to minimize their severity. Having legal representation ensures that even long-term damage that takes time to manifest is appropriately compensated.
Broken Bones and Fractures
Fractures to the arms, legs, ribs, or face are very common in high-impact crashes. Depending on the place of the broken bone, it can be relatively minor or require extensive surgery and physical therapy. Oftentimes, broken bones affect the victim’s ability to work and care for themselves.
Legal assistance is integral because it will accurately detail compensation for both immediate and long-term care.
Internal Injuries
Internal injuries are also quite common in car accidents. This type of injury can be overlooked immediately after an accident, but all of them require emergency care. Failure to care for an internal injury can lead to fatal consequences if untreated.
Almost all internal injuries involve high medical costs and care. Legal representation will ensure that all costs are fully documented and adequately valued.
Injuries That Most Likely Will Need Legal Action
It should go without saying that nearly all injuries sustained in a car accident should be assessed by a legal team. Only the most minor, such as small abrasions, should be overlooked. The following injuries are the most likely to require legal assistance:
Traumatic Brain Injuries with lasting symptoms
Spinal Cord Injuries
Injuries that require surgery
Injuries that result in disfigurement, disability, or permanent loss of quality of life.
Why Legal Help Matters in South Carolina
South Carolina utilizes a modified comparative negligence rule. This rule means that compensation following a car accident can be reduced if you are found at fault, even partially. If you are found at fault for over 50% of the accident, insurance companies can limit payouts and shift the blame to put you entirely on the hook.
Getting legal help from a lawyer benefits you because:
They can conduct the investigation and gather evidence in your favor.
Can work with your medical doctors and document the costs properly
They can negotiate with insurers and pursue litigation on your behalf.
Conclusion
Nearly every car accident can benefit from having an attorney, but it’s almost as important to remember that not all do. Simple fender benders may not require a car accident attorney, but if a car accident causes life-altering injuries, legal guidance is essential. If you or your family has suffered significant effects from a car accident, consulting a personal injury lawyer can help ensure your claim properly reflects the impact on your life and provide the necessary compensation.
Ryan Preece outlasted slick conditions and numerous on-track chaos to win the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, on Wednesday, February 4.
The 35-year-old Preece from Berlin, Connecticut, led twice for 46 of 200 laps in an exhibition event starting in 18th place. He then battled through numerous on-track chaos while steadily working his way to the front. Preece cracked the top-10 mark following the event’s first half. But he and his fellow competitors were challenged as they navigated through the Clash’s second half on wet-weather tires amid slick conditions on the track.
Despite spinning at the start of the second half, Preece continued his march to the front, and he managed to lead for the first time with 57 laps remaining. After losing the lead to Shane van Gisbergen over the next 12 laps, Preece assumed the lead for a second and final time with 44 laps remaining. Preece’s progress was stalled four times due to cautions amid on-track chaos. But he maintained the top spot during each restart, and he checked out from William Byron and the field to record his first victory in a NASCAR Cup Series entry.
Earlier on Wednesday and prior to the Clash, two eight-minute practice sessions followed by a qualifying session with split groups (three total) amongst the 38-car field occurred. During this format, each of the 38 competitors had four minutes to record a qualifying time. The top-20 fastest competitors were then locked into the Clash.
At the conclusion of the practice and qualifying sessions, the following names that include Kyle Larson, William Byron, Ty Gibbs, Chase Briscoe, Christopher Bell, Denny Hamlin, Bubba Wallace, Chris Buescher, Ross Chastain, Tyler Reddick, Chase Elliott, Carson Hocevar, Kyle Busch, Joey Logano, Austin Dillon, Ryan Blaney, Shane van Gisbergen, Ryan Preece, rookie Connor Zilisch and Daniel Suarez secured top-20 spots, respectively, with Larson qualifying on pole position.
Afterwards, a Last Chance Qualifying Race spanning 75 laps occurred and featured the remaining 18 competitors who did not transfer from practice and qualifying. From the Last Chance Qualifying Race, the top two finishers would transfer to the Clash. In addition, the Clash’s 23rd and final starting position was reserved for the highest-ranked competitor in the 2025 Cup Series points standings who has yet to qualify.
Following the Last Chance Qualifying Race, Josh Berry and Austin Cindric transferred after finishing first and second, respectively. Alex Bowman, who was in 17th place during the Last Chance Qualifying Race, was awarded the 23rd and final starting spot to the Clash by being the highest-finishing competitor in the 2025 standings.
The remaining competitors that included Corey LaJoie, AJ Allmendinger, John Hunter Nemechek, Zane Smith, Noah Gragson, Ty Dillon, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Erik Jones, Michael McDowell, Cole Custer, Chad Finchum, Burt Myers, Cody Ware, Riley Herbst and Todd Gilliland did not qualify for the Clash.
When the green flag waved and the event commenced, Kyle Larson, who started on the outside lane, quickly bolted ahead and in front of teammate William Byron through the first turn. Larson proceeded to cycle his way around the 0.25-mile short track venue and lead the first lap ahead of Byron and Chase Briscoe while Joe Gibbs Racing’s Ty Gibbs and Denny Hamlin battled dead even for fourth place. As Larson led through the fifth lap mark, Gibbs muscled ahead to fourth place while Hamlin was being pressured by Chris Buescher and teammate Christopher Bell for fifth place.
Through the first 10-scheduled laps, Larson led by more than half a second over Byron. Briscoe, Gibbs, Hamlin, Bell, Buescher, Bubba Wallace, Tyler Reddick, and Ross Chastain were scored in the top 10, respectively. Behind, Carson Hocevar muscled into 11th place ahead of Joey Logano, Chase Elliott, Ryan Blaney, Ryan Preece, Kyle Busch, Austin Dillon, Daniel Suarez, Shane van Gisbergen, and Alex Bowman, respectively, while Josh Berry, Connor Zilisch, and Austin Cindric rounded out the 23-car field.
Fifteen laps later, Larson stabilized his lead to seven-tenths of a second over Byron, and Briscoe trailed in third place by nearly two seconds while Briscoe’s teammates, Gibbs, Hamlin, and Bell, trailed by three seconds from fourth through sixth, respectively. By then, Chastain, Hocevar, and Elliott battled for the final top-10 spot in front of Logano and Blaney while Suarez drifted back to last place in 23rd place behind Cindric and Zilisch.
On Lap 40, the event’s first caution flew when debris was spotted on the track. Before the caution, Larson had caught the tail end of the field as he had last-place competitors Zilisch and van Gisbergen in front of him.
The event’s restart on Lap 40 featured teammates Larson and Byron dueling for the lead through the first two turns until Larson managed to muscle ahead exiting the backstretch and move in front of Byron entering Turn 3. Larson proceeded to lead the next lap and through the Lap 45 mark while Toyota competitors Briscoe, Gibbs, Bell, Hamlin, and Wallace followed suit, respectively. Buescher, who restarted seventh but dropped to eighth, would moved up to sixth place, and both Reddick and Hocevar trailed in the top 10. Meanwhile, Briscoe moved Byron for the runner-up spot as Larson led by half a second by Lap 50.
On Lap 53, the event’s second caution flew when Bubba Wallace, who was racing in 10th place, got bumped by Blaney, the latter of whom got bumped by Chastain, entering Turn 3. The bump caused Wallace to run into the rear of Elliott before the latter spun and was hit by Blaney through Turns 3 and 4. Amid the chaos, all competitors proceeded.
The next restart on Lap 53 featured Briscoe and Larson dueling for the lead for a full lap as Briscoe used the outside lane to draw even with Larson through the turns and short straightaways. Using the outside lane, Briscoe led the next three laps before Larson muscled ahead on Lap 57. Using the inside lane, he slightly moved Briscoe up the track in Turn 1. This caused Briscoe to engage in a battle with Byron and teammate Ty Gibbs for the runner-up spot. As Briscoe dropped to third behind Byron by Lap 60, Larson continued to lead.
On Lap 70, Byron, who had been reeling in teammate Larson, used the inside lane and some contact with Larson through the first two turns to emerge as the leader for the first time by the following lap. As Byron muscled ahead, Briscoe followed suit in second, along with Gibbs, while Larson dropped to fourth in front of Hamlin.
After the caution flew on Lap 76 due to Austin Cindric spinning in Turn 4, the next restart featured Byron out-dueling Briscoe to maintain the lead. While Byron continued to lead through the Lap 80 mark over Briscoe and Gibbs, a fierce four-car battle for fourth place ignited between Hocevar, Larson, Hamlin, and Blaney.
On Lap 85, Briscoe assumed the lead from Byron for the first time. Ten laps later, however, Gibbs, who navigated his way into the runner-up spot, assumed the top spot through the backstretch.
At the event’s halfway mark on Lap 100, a competition caution flew, and the event entered an intermission period. Gibbs was scored as the leader ahead of Briscoe, Byron, Blaney, Hocevar, Bell, Hamlin, Logano, Preece, and Larson. Elliott, Zilisch, Berry, Chastain, van Gisbergen, Buescher, Wallace, Suarez, Reddick, Kyle Busch, Bowman, Austin Dillon, and Cindric followed in the top-23 spots, respectively.
Near the conclusion of the intermission period and as the field prepared to start the second half of the Clash, the event was further delayed multiple times due to sleet falling on the track. During the first delay period, NASCAR declared the event a wet-weather event and gave the teams the green light to install wet-weather tires on the cars.
Following extensive weather delays, the Clash’s second half commenced with 99 laps remaining. At the start, the field fanned out through the first turn amid the slick conditions. The leader Gibbs also slid, which caused Hocevar to peek beneath Gibbs as Briscoe rocketed with the lead through the backstretch. Shortly after, the caution returned when Hamlin slid in Turn 3 amid contact from Connor Zilisch and collected Larson, which sent Larson backwards into the outside wall in Turn 4. Ryan Preece also spun as the rest of the field racing just outside of the top-10 mark scattered to avoid the incidents.
The next restart with 99 laps remaining lasted for 18 laps before the caution returned as Josh Berry, who had made contact with the wall earlier, parked his car on the backstretch and towards the infield grass. When the field attempted to restart with 81 laps remaining, the caution returned during the next lap amid a stack-up in Turn 4 that involved Cindric, Blaney, Larson, Hamlin and Wallace.
During the next restart with 79 laps remaining, Hocevar navigated his way into the lead over Briscoe for the first time. Amid multiple on-track chaos within the field, including a spin by Ty Gibbs through Turns 3 and 4 after contact from Elliott, the event remained under green flag conditions and Hocevar proceeded to lead Briscoe. The caution would return with 62 laps remaining due to Hamlin spinning in Turn 4 and Blaney hitting Hamlin’s stalled entry.
The next two restarts were short. The first one, with 61 laps remaining, only lasted a single lap before the caution quickly returned due to Austin Dillon spinning in Turn 4 amid contact from Hamlin. The next one lasted two laps before Elliott got bumped and sent for a spin in Turn 4. Amid the chaos, van Gisbergen assumed the lead from Hocevar after Hocevar slipped through the first two turns during the latest restart.
During the next restart with 58 laps remaining, Hamlin, Logano, and Elliott crashed in Turn 4 as Preece managed to muscle ahead of van Gisbergen to lead for the first time. Van Gisbergen reassumed the lead during the next restart with 56 laps remaining. He maintained the lead under green flag conditions through two turns. However, the caution returned as a stack-up caused by Gibbs, who was bumped and sent for a spin by Zilisch, ignited in Turn 2.
Van Gisbergen maintained the lead during the next restart with 56 laps remaining, and he continued to lead with 50 laps remaining. Two laps later, however, the caution flew as Larson stalled on the track after he reported running out of fuel. Then, during the next restart with 48 laps remaining, van Gisbergen retained the lead until Preece, who bounced off the wall earlier, assumed the lead with 44 laps remaining. Preece proceeded to lead by half a second with 40 laps remaining as van Gisbergen, Briscoe, Suarez, and Byron trailed in the top five.
Another caution occurred with 36 laps remaining due to Elliott stalling on the track after he too ran out of fuel. Preece held the lead for the next restart until van Gisbergen was bumped and sent spinning by Briscoe from the runner-up spot during the next lap. Amid van Gisbergen’s spin, he clipped teammate Zilisch and was hit by Wallace while the field scattered to avoid the carnage.
Preece maintained the lead during the next restart with 36 laps remaining, and he continued to lead before the caution flew with 20 laps remaining when Wallace sent Hocevar spinning through the first two turns as a retaliatory act from Hocevar bumping Wallace through Turns 3 and 4. Preece then maintained the top spot for the next restart with 20 laps remaining before another caution. But then, Kyle Busch, Larson and Gibbs collided due to a lack of space, which resulted in Larson getting turned backwards.
Down to the final 19 laps, the event restarted and Preece retained the lead over Blaney and Byron. Preece continued to lead with 15 laps remaining and he proceeded to stretch his lead to a second over Byron with 10 laps remaining. By then, Blaney maintained third place while Briscoe and Suarez followed in the top five.
When the white flag waved and the final lap started, Preece was scored as the leader by more than a second over Byron. With Byron unable to reel in to Preece’s rear bumper, Preece was able to smoothly navigate his way around the 0.25-mile Bowman Gray Stadium for a final time before he cycled back to the frontstretch and won by more than a second.
With the victory, Preece joins Jeff Gordon and Denny Hamlin as the only competitors to win the Clash without having a NASCAR Cup Series points-paying victory to a resume. Preece also became the 27th competitor overall to win the Clash and the only competitor to win at Bowman Gray Stadium both in the Whelen Southern Modified Tour and the Cup Series divisions.
Preece’s Clash victory was the first ever for Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing and the 11th for the Ford nameplate.
Amid the victory burnouts and salute to the crowd, Preece was emotional and overjoyed over his first win in a Cup Series event. Having previously driven for Hyak Motorsports and Stewart-Haas Racing, Preece was initially left without a ride following the 2024 season until he was recruited to drive the No. 60 Ford Mustang Dark Horse entry for Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing, starting in 2025.
Photo by John Knittel for SpeedwayMedia.com.
“I don’t even know what to say,” Preece said. “To be honest with you, it’s been a [expletive] long road. It’s the Clash, but man, it’s just been years and years of grinding. Two years ago, I didn’t think I was gonna have a job. I thought I was going back to Connecticut. I’m just super emotional.”
“We had a really good car,” Preece added. “I felt like we were fighting adversity all day, trying to come from the back. We got a lot of good spots. When we were putting on rain tires, man, this is as much of a mental game as it is anything. I felt pretty beat up. We had a couple of restarts go our way and then before you know it, you’re on the front two rows, and then the claws just come out.”
Byron, who led 14 laps, finished in second place while Blaney, Suarez, and Hamlin battled through their shares of on-track adversities to finish in the top five. Briscoe, who led the third-most laps at 35, crossed the finish line in sixth place as Austin Dillon, Buescher, Chastain, and Bowman completed the top 10 in the final running order.
Notably, Kyle Larson, who led the most laps at 67, ended up in 16th place behind Ty Gibbs and Carson Hocevar, Connor Zilisch settled in 18th place in his first Clash event, Shane van Gisbergen fell back to 20th place despite leading 15 laps, and Bubba Wallace completed the final running order in 23rd place.
There were 11 lead changes for seven different leaders. The event featured a record 17 cautions. In addition, all but one of the 23 starters finished on the lead lap.
Results:
1. Ryan Preece, 46 laps led 2. William Byron, 14 laps led 3. Ryan Blaney 4. Daniel Suarez 5. Denny Hamlin 6. Chase Briscoe, 35 laps led 7. Austin Dillon 8. Chris Buescher 9. Ross Chastain 10. Alex Bowman 11. Joey Logano 12. Josh Berry 13. Christopher Bell 14. Ty Gibbs, five laps led 15. Carson Hocevar, 18 laps led 16. Kyle Larson, 67 laps led 17. Chase Elliott 18. Connor Zilisch 19. Kyle Busch 20. Shane van Gisbergen, 15 laps led 21. Austin Cindric 22. Tyler Reddick 23. Bubba Wallace, one lap down
The NASCAR Cup Series’ teams and competitors will be returning to action throughout next week at Daytona International Speedway in preparation for the 68th running of the Daytona 500 that is scheduled to occur on February 15 at 2:30 p.m. ET on FOX, MRN, SiriusXM, and HBO MAX.
The event’s pole qualifying session is scheduled to occur next Wednesday, February 11, at 8:15 p.m. ET on FS1, MRN, and SiriusXM. This session will be followed by a pair of America 250 Florida Duels, which will commence next Thursday, February 12, at 7 p.m. ET on Fs1, MRN, SiriusXM, and HBO Max.
Ford Racing Notes and Quotes NASCAR Cup Series Last Chance Qualifying Race — The Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium Wednesday, February 4, 2026
Josh Berry won the Last Chance Qualifier race while Austin Cindric outbattled Corey LaJoie for the second spot after a spirited side-by-side battle over the closing laps. Berry and Cindric will compete in the Clash Main Event at Bowman Gray Stadium
JOSH BERRY, No. 21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford Mustang Dark Horse – WAS YOUR MUSTANG GOOD ON THE LONG RUN? “Yeah, I feel good about it. Honestly, we just struggled a little bit on the restarts, cold temperatures, locking the left-front there and got it locked up a little bit under AJ and washed him out, but once we were able to settle in and get some heat in the tires I felt good about our car. I think we can make a few small adjustments and make it a little bit better, but obviously you don’t have great track position starting in the back. It’s a long night when you don’t make this race, so I’m glad we were able to put both of our cars in.”
YOU HAVE EXPERIENCE STARTING IN THE BACK FOR THIS RACE. HOW DO YOU GAIN SPOTS? “I think it’s gonna be a little bit different. It definitely seems like there’s more fall off. We obviously saw it stretch out a good bit right there, so just managing the tires probably early in the run and just trying to stay patient. We’re still at the Madhouse.”
AUSTIN CINDRIC, No. 2 Freightliner Ford Mustang Dark Horse – “That was about as fair as that could have gotten for an LCQ. I appreciate Corey racing hard. Obviously, we advanced in, but it’s a long road ahead starting last with scuffs for the final here, but happy to get the Freightliner Ford Mustang in the show here and enjoy round two here at Bowman Gray. This is a very cool place. I was happy with how the car held on for a long run. I kind of had to save my stuff after I got punted out of the way early, so it seemed to play out reasonably well. I’m glad it went as long as it did. It was fun and a good way to get started.”
WHAT DID YOU LEARN OVER THOSE 75 LAPS THAT YOU CAN ADJUST ON? “Definitely some of the wear characteristics of the tire. It’s the same right side tire and I feel like that definitely dominates a lot of the characteristics, so I think some of the same from last year. We talk about adding horsepower, but I don’t think I got full throttle the entire race there, except for maybe when emotions got high. Past that, it was pretty interesting to try to manage. Hopefully, we didn’t get too much damage there and we’ll try to have a good final here.”
COREY LAJOIE, No. 6 Solomon Plumbing Ford Mustang Dark Horse – “It was like a game of chess at 50 miles an hour. You wanted to be the guy on the inside obviously, but you don’t want to pass the guy because then he had the opportunity to get back to you. I came up a little bit short. It was exciting. It was fun to be in the fight. I hadn’t been in a fight like that in a long time. Kudos to the 6 team. They’ve had a lot to deal with over the offseason. I know Brad is watching at home. He’ll be ready to go next week, but it was really cool to get in this 6 car system to knock the rust off. Unfortunately, we’ll be watching the show from the couch, but we’re really prepared and I feel really good about next week.”
HOW EXCITED ARE YOU TO BE IN THE 99 MUSTANG NEXT WEEK? “It’s gonna be without a doubt the best opportunity I’ve had at the 500. We’ve been close with some other opportunities too in the last couple of years, so maybe this is the year. Nonetheless, we’re gonna have some strength in numbers with our RFK group next week and I’m just ready to get out of the snow, get south to Daytona where it’s nice and warm, and we’ll see if we can go sneak out a Harley J. Earl trophy.”
