Bowman Gray Stadium kicks off weekly racing season

WINSTON SALEM, N.C. (WGHP) — Bowman Gray Stadium will kick off its first race of the 2024 season on Saturday night.

In a big change this season, NASCAR will operate and promote the weekly races.

Many fans took to the stands Friday to watch drivers practice and prepare for tomorrow night. They are really excited and ready for this season to start.

They come out even for practice runs to support their favorite driver.

No one is more interested than Lanna Clifton. Her husband Zack Clifton is racing tomorrow.

She said he’s been preparing since August when the last racing season ended.

“This is our 11th season together. He’s been racing a lot longer than that, but 11 years cheering him on. It gets exciting,” Lanna said.

Bowman Gray Stadium is a special place for the family.

“We get excited to come over here because he has so many fans, and they love to come talk to him after the race,” Lanna said.

The stadium welcomes around 17,000 fans every week during the season.

The stadium opened in 1949 and has hosted NASCAR weekly racing ever since.

It’s NASCAR’s longest-running weekly track.

Stadium officials say the partnership could benefit Winston Salem, bringing bigger racing events like a national series race in the future.

With more opportunities, comes more exposure for this historic track.

The Bowman Gray season will kick off with the Hayes Jewelers 200.

The race starts on Saturday night.

If you want to join the crowd, tickets are still available.

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