New year, new...name? A venue set to host NASCAR racing in 2026 could be set for a rebrand in the not-too-distant future, according to local reports.
Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, will once again be under the spotlight later this month as it hosts The Clash exhibition weekend two weeks ahead of the official season opener at Daytona International Speedway.
The Clash was held at Bowman Gray Stadium for the first time in 2025, which marked the first time that a Cup Series race had been hosted at the North Carolina track since 1971. Previously, the venue - which was built in 1937 - had hosted points-paying NASCAR Cup action from 1958.
Chase Elliott ran out last year's winner, but the return to such a historic track proved a huge hit with drivers, teams, fans, and executives alike, and as such, when the 2026 schedule was released, Bowman Gray Stadium was once again confirmed to be The Clash's host this time around, with improvements to the venue having continued to be made.
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Bowman Gray Stadium set for rebrand
However, it turns out that the stadium might not simply be known as 'Bowman Gray Stadium' any longer.
According to the Winston-Salem Journal, dozens of City-owned properties in Winston-Salem could soon be subject to naming rights deals with several different brands, including Bowman Gray Stadium.
As per the report, city officials have hired a company out of Iowa - Sportsman Solutions - that has spent two months pitching sponsorship ideas to around 1500 local and national contacts, with these said to span facilities as 'as small as a youth baseball field' to the 'entire Winston-Salem Fairgrounds'.
"It's a blank canvas here in Winston Salem, and an incredible opportunity to offset some mandatory costs towards capital projects," Sportsman Solutions Vice President Ryan Patrick is quoted in the WSJ piece.
Crucially, the report confirmed that any name change would not affect the current NASCAR plans that are in place for the venue, which includes a five-year deal between NASCAR and the city to host five national NASCAR races at the stadium over the next five years.
In the event of a name change, the stadium would also continue to host the NASCAR regional Bowman Gray Summer Series.
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When is The Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium?
The Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium is set to take place on Sunday, February 1, 2026, with the action being broadcast live on FOX Sports 1.
Qualifying will take place earlier in the weekend.
The exhibition comes a fortnight ahead of the Daytona 500, which will kick off the official 2026 Cup Series schedule.
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