After three postponements, NASCAR Cup Series qualifying from the Cook Out Clash finally takes place today (Wednesday, February 4), and we've got all of the information you need to know ahead of the action.
Today's qualifying is the first of the new campaign and will be split into two different sessions. First up, standard qualifying will take place earlier in the day in order to determine the top 20 of the Clash starting lineup.
Following two eight-minute practice sessions, qualifying will be split into two groups, with each driver having four minutes to set their time over as many laps as they wish within the allotted time frame.
Then, on Wednesday evening, those who did not finish in the top 20 will take part in a 75-lap last chance qualifying race, with the top two locking themselves into 21st and 22nd for the main event. 23rd spot in the Clash will be awarded to the highest points finisher in 2025 who fails to qualify.
With the format explained, let's get into the timing details.
What time is NASCAR Cup Series qualifying today?
NASCAR Cup Series Clash qualifying from Bowman Gray Stadium is set to take place on Wednesday, February 4, with a start time of 1:30pm ET.
Later in the day, the last chance qualifying race is scheduled to start at 4:30pm ET and will be closely followed by the race at 6pm ET.
Here are all of the start times converted to your time zone.
| City (Time Zone) | Qualifying Start Time | Last Chance Qualifying Start Time |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte, NC (ET) | 1:30PM | 4:30PM |
| New York, NY (ET) | 1:30PM | 4:30PM |
| Columbia, SC (ET) | 1:30PM | 4:30PM |
| Charleston, WV (ET) | 1:30PM | 4:30PM |
| Augusta, ME (ET) | 1:30PM | 4:30PM |
| Chicago, IL (CT) | 12:30PM | 3:30PM |
| Pierre, SD (CT) | 12:30PM | 3:30PM |
| Nashville, TN (CT) | 12:30PM | 3:30PM |
| Des Moines, IA (CT) | 12:30PM | 3:30PM |
| Montgomery, AL (CT) | 12:30PM | 3:30PM |
| Denver, CO (MT) | 11:30AM | 2:30PM |
| Salt Lake City, UT (MT) | 11:30AM | 2:30PM |
| Albuquerque, NM (MT) | 11:30AM | 2:30PM |
| El Paso, TX (MT) | 11:30AM | 2:30PM |
| Los Angeles, CA (PT) | 10:30AM | 1:30PM |
| Las Vegas, NV (PT) | 10:30AM | 1:30PM |
| Seattle, WA (PT) | 10:30AM | 1:30PM |
| Portland, OR (PT) | 10:30AM | 1:30PM |
| San Francisco, CA (PT) | 10:30AM | 1:30PM |
READ MORE: NASCAR star Denny Hamlin reveals touching tribute to late father
How to watch NASCAR Cup Series qualifying live on TV and streaming
With the rescheduling of today's action, the broadcast schedule for qualifying has been disrupted. As such, standard qualifying will only be broadcast live on the FOX Sports App and FOX One.
As well as being available on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, the FOX Sports App can also be downloaded in several other places, such as:
- Apple TV
- Roku
- Xbox
- Vizio
- Google Chromecast
- Fire TV
- Android TV
- Samsung Smart TV
Both the FOX Sports App and FOX One are free to download, but you will need to log in with your paid TV provider details.
Thankfully, later in the day, last chance qualifying will be broadcast live on FOX. For those wanting to stream last chance qualifying, the FOX Sports App, FOX One, and the FOX Sports website are the places to go.
Radio coverage of both qualifying and last chance qualifying will also be available on MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
NASCAR practice today
NASCAR Clash practice from Bowman Gray Stadium will take place on Wednesday, February 4, ahead of qualifying.
The action is set to get underway at 1:30pm ET, with two eight-minute practice sessions taking place.
All of the practice can be watched live on the FOX Sports app and FOX One, exactly the same as qualifying.
Who won the Clash pole in 2025?
Hendrick Motorsports driver Chase Elliott put his No. 9 Chevrolet on pole for the Clash in 2025, edging Chris Buescher and Denny Hamlin in second and third, respectively.
READ MORE: NASCAR legend Kevin Harvick says Cup Series star has potential to be 'multi-time champion'
