Bowman Gray gets facelift ahead of NASCAR Cup Series return

Bowman Gray Stadium is getting a renovation in advance of the NASCAR Cup Series Busch Clash next year.

Bowman Gray, located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, is currently the oldest weekly racing track under the NASCAR banner. The track is one of the most historic venues in the country, hosting races since 1949, and will host its first Cup Series event since 1971 in February.

NASCAR also acquired the motorsports promotional rights at the track through 2050 to facilitate hosting The Clash.

Two key upgrades are being made the stadium in preparation for NASCAR’s return:

A brand-new Musco lighting system that is custom designed is getting installed. This is to increase visibility, reduce energy consumption, enhance the experience for drivers as well as fans, and provide the necessary illumination for nationally televised racing events, which will begin with the 2025 NASCAR Clash on FOX. Funds for the lighting system will come from a pandemic recovery grant that was awarded to the City of Winston-Salem in 2022 as part of the North Carolina Motorsports Relief Fund.

SAFER barriers will be installed all the way around the track, the innovative steel and foam energy absorbing walls that have saved countless lives, and are featured at all NASCAR tracks on the circuit. Brand new catch fencing will also be installed around the entire track.

One of the masterminds behind bringing NASCAR’s top series back is NASCAR Executive Vice President and Chief Venue and Racing Innovation Officer, Ben Kennedy

“Part of being good stewards of Bowman Gray Stadium includes preparing it to host compelling events that rightfully place it in the national spotlight,” said Kennedy. “We are grateful to Musco for providing the premium event lighting product to illuminate this historic venue. The preparations in advance of The Clash will position this national treasure as a showcase of national and grassroots racing for the next generation and beyond.”

Renovations began back in October, with the old guardrails being removed, as they were not able to withstand the impact of the much heavier Cup Series cars, compared to the much lighter cars that race at the track weekly.

The SAFER Barriers and catchfence will remain in place once weekly series racing resumes in April.