Chase Elliott claimed NASCAR's first checkered flag of 2025 on Sunday night in Winston-Salem, winning the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium for his first victory in the Cup Series' preseason event.

Chase Elliott won the unofficial opener to the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season. Elliott started Sunday night’s Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium on the pole and dominated the race. He drove away from Ryan Blaney over the last 20 laps as just 12 of the 23 cars that started the main event finished on the lead lap.

Chase Elliott, the seven-time winner of NASCAR's Most Popular Driver Award, has triumphed in the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium. Driving the No. 9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports,