Ladies and gentlemen it is officially race week for the Madhouse Classic and Cookout Clash. With it being race week I figured I would ask a handful of Bowman Gray drivers past and present on their thoughts on how NASCAR Cup drivers would be able to handle the Madhouse.
Q: With the Clash coming to Bowman Gray, how do you think the cup guys will handle the track? Do you think it’ll be more challenging than it was for them in LA?
Brant Mickel- Spotter
A: I think the cup guys have a handle on what to expect from the LA Coliseum standpoint. But Bowman Gray is different. No inside walls, track seems wider, than LA was. So I still think the unknown is there. Are they gonna beat and bang, I sure hope so.
Jason Myers- Modified Driver and Street Stock Champion
A: I think for the most part, most of them will catch on pretty quick. It’s still just a racetrack and these guys are professionals.
Brandon Ward- Modified Champion
A: Well I think they will handle it fine. They are used to adapting to various tracks throughout the year so I feel like that’s not an issue. I think the race itself will be a lot like the LA race was for them. The pavement and the weather are the two biggest challenges I see them facing. The pavement was obviously new in LA and will not be at Bowman Gray. The cold temperatures and pavement combined will most likely have way less grip than they had in LA.
Derek Stoltz- Retired Two time Sportsman Champion
A: I think they will adapt just fine. Some of them race year round and they have IRacing and technology at the top of their hands. I always said we race for fun and they do it for a living. You could put someone like Larson in my car for 3 laps and he’s gonna match my time I spent 20 yrs getting to.
Mike Robertson- Former Sportsman Driver
A: BG can never be duplicated so yes it will be different. LA was made. BG has character that can only be experienced by coming to the Madhouse.
Kevin Neal-Retired Sportsman Champion
A: I think it will be as equally challenging, but their cup guys they will figure it out pretty quick.
Chase Robertson-Sportsman Champion
A: I don’t think it will be much different than LA. They’re the best of the best, they’ll figure it out.
Derrick Rice-Retired Two time Street Stock champion
A: I think it’ll be a little adjustment for them. Even though the tracks are both a 1/4 mile, LA had sweeping straights which gave them a better angle for corner entry. It’s hard to think it’d be challenging for a Cup Pro to figure out the braking and diamonding of the corner they will have to do.
Riley Neal- Modified Driver
A: With the Clash coming to Bowman Gray, I think that there will be some drivers who will face more of a challenge than others adapting to the racetrack. You can model that place all you want to, but no matter what you will never match the character, the energy, and the intensity of Bowman Gray. I think that some drivers will pick up fast and others not so much. I’m excited to watch and see how things go.
Ronnie Clifton- Retired Eight Time Sportsman Champion and Street Stock Champion
A: With it being cold here that may keep them from getting the grip but they will figure it out pretty quick and I think both tracks are similar it’s going to be fun to watch for sure.
Jimmy Absher- Pace Car Driver and Retired Stadium Stock Driver
A: Personally I don’t feel like Bowman Gray will be anymore challenging than LA was. These teams have great Engineers and resources. Only major difference I see is the track temperature and air temperature. Obviously it’s been extremely cold here in recent weeks. So I don’t see them having as much grip. But I’m sure they are already compensating for that issue. I’m extremely looking forward to see them at this historic venue.
Brad Newman- Spotter
A: I feel like it will race better. I don’t have data but I’m almost positive the corners at the clash track had a tighter radius.
Ryan Nelson- Retired Street Stock Champion and Spotter
A: Bowman Gray is a different bread. It unlike any other track around. You have to have a car that will turn in these tight corners and have plenty of forward drive.
I wanna thank everyone for their answers.
Make sure you catch The Madhouse Classic as it will be ran on February 1st and the NASCAR Cookout Clash will be ran February 2nd.
The season starts April 19th at Bowman Gray.
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