"The Madhouse" roars back to life, as Bowman Gray reveals its thrilling 2026 NASCAR local racing lineup, promising high-octane action and fan favorites all season long
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – After launching its 2026 season by hosting the Cook Out Clash with the NASCAR Cup Series, Bowman Gray Stadium now shifts its focus back to the weekly racing action that earned the historic Winston-Salem track its legendary nickname — “The Madhouse.”
Today, the track officially released the 2026 schedule, which features 18 weeks of racing as part of the NASCAR Local Racing Series powered by O’Reilly Auto Parts.
Opening night on Saturday, April 18, Bowman Gray Stadium will highlight the annual Hayes Jewelers 200-lap feature for the Brad’s Golf Cars Modified division, along with a 40-lap feature for the Law Offices of John Barrow Sportsman division. Also in attendance will be the QRC HVAC & Refrigeration Street Stock Series for a 20-lap feature as well as the Q104.1 Stadium Stock Series with two 15-lap features based on car count.
The Brad’s Golf Cars Modified division schedule remains one of the most competitive in short-track racing. In addition to the 200-lap opener on April 18, the division will compete in five 100-lap events throughout the season beginning May 2 with the Kevin Powell Motorsports 100, followed by the Elite Underground Utility 100 on May 30, the Market USA 100 on June 20, the Traffic Control Safety Services 100 on July 11, and the FOX8 100 on Aug. 1.
The Brad’s Golf Cars Modified division will also compete in twin 50-lap events on June 13, sponsored by Tuff Shed, and Aug. 8, sponsored by Ortega. Nine twin 25-lap events are scheduled for April 25, May 9, May 16, May 23, June 6, June 27, July 18, July 25, and Aug. 15. The season at Bowman Gray Stadium will conclude with the AgSouth Farm Credit 150 on Saturday, Aug. 22.
Three additional divisions will compete throughout the season, including the Law Offices of John Barrow Sportsman Division, the QRC HVAC & Refrigeration Street Stock Division, and the Q104.1 Stadium Stock Division. Each division will feature special events during the season. The Sportsman division will be highlighted by three 100-lap races on May 23, June 27, and July 25. The June 27 event will headline Red Oak Ladies Night, where ladies will receive $2 admission.
The QRC HVAC & Refrigeration Street Stock Division will contest a 50-lap feature on May 9 and will also feature a Grill Giveaway courtesy of Steelman’s Ace Hardwear. The Q104.1 Stadium Stock Division will take center stage with its own 50-lap feature on June 6.
The 2026 Bowman Gray Stadium race schedule will also include several fan-favorite special events. Great Clips Crash Fest returns on May 16 featuring Crown Vics, a Skid Race, and a Demolition Derby. Crown Vics will debut this season, replacing the traditional chain race, and will compete on three additional nights throughout the year.
On July 18, fans can enjoy an old-fashioned Demolition Derby with Monster Trucks also in action for the Truliant Night of Destruction. The evening will also feature a lawn mower giveaway courtesy of James River Equipment.
Rain dates have been reserved for July 4 and Aug. 29, if needed.
Gates will open at 6 p.m. each Saturday night, with racing action beginning at 8 p.m.
Tickets for the 2026 Bowman Gray Stadium race season will be on sale soon. Visit our new website www.bowmangrayracing.com for all updates on the 2026 race season.
Below is the full 2026 Bowman Gray Stadium NASCAR Local Racing Series powered by O’Reilly Auto Parts schedule:
2026 BOWMAN GRAY STADIUM RACE SCHEDULE
(Dates subject to change in event of postponements)
All events are on Saturday nights and include races for all stadium divisions. Unless otherwise indicated: programs include two 25-lap Modified races; two 20-lap Sportsman races; 20-lap Street Stock race; and, depending on number of entries, one or two 15-lap Stadium Stock races.
Saturday, April 18 Hayes Jewelers 200 (200-lap Modified Feature); 40-lap Sportsman Feature
Saturday, April 25 Twin 25-lap Modified Feature; Crown Vics
Saturday, May 2Kevin Powell Motorsports 100 (100-lap Modified Feature)
Saturday, May 9Twin 25-lap Modified Features; 50-lap Street Stock Feature; Classic Modifieds *Steelman’s Ace Hardware Grill Giveaway
Saturday, May 16Great Clips Crash Fest: Skid Race, Demolition Derby, Crown Vics
Saturday, May 23100-lap Sportsman Feature; Twin 25-Lap Modified Features
Saturday, May 30Elite Underground Utility 100 (100-lap Modified Feature)
Saturday, June 6Twin 25-lap Modified Features; 50-lap Stadium Stock Feature; Crown Vics
Saturday, June 13Tuff Shed Twin 50 (50-lap Modified Features) Presented by Q104.1
Saturday, June 20Market USA 100 (100-lap Feature)
Saturday, June 27Red Oak Ladies Night 100 (100-lap Sportsman Feature); Twin 25-lap Modified Feature; Skid Race *Special Forces Association Parachute Team
Saturday, July 4 Available as rain date
Saturday, July 11 Traffic Control Safety Services 100 (100-lap Modified Feature)
Saturday, July 18Trulient Night of Destruction; Monster Truck car-crushing; Demolition Derby *James River Equipment Lawnmower Giveaway
Saturday, July 25 100-lap Sportsman Feature; Twin 25-lap Modified Feature; Crown Vics
Saturday, Aug. 1FOX 8 100 (100-lap Modified Feature)
Saturday, Aug. 8 Ortega Twin 50 (50-lap Modified Features)
Saturday, Aug. 15 Twin 25-lap Modified Features; Skid Race
Saturday, Aug. 22 AgSouth Farm Credit 150 (150-lap Modified Feature); 40-lap Sportsman Feature
Saturday, Aug. 29 Available as rain date
About Bowman Gray Stadium
Built in 1937, Bowman Gray Stadium, a quarter-mile short track, holds a special place in NASCAR history as the longest-running weekly racetrack. The racetrack hosted 29 NASCAR Grand National, now NASCAR Cup Series, races from 1958 to 1971 and hosted several East Series races from 2011 to 2015. The Cup Series returned in 2025 with the Cook Out Clash for the first time since 1971. For more information, visit www.bowmangrayracing.com.