NASCAR Rant Report - Wednesday, January 22nd

Major headlines out of Tuesday:

Cook Out Clash Format Announced
Sponsorship Announcements
NASCAR Gets Rid of Rookie Stripes

Plus, miscellaneous topics from the day.

Cook Out Clash Format Announcement:

The 2025 NASCAR Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, will take place on February 2, marking the first NASCAR Cup Series race at this venue since 1971.

The main event will feature 23 drivers competing over 200 laps, with only green flag laps counting and the race required to end under green flag conditions. A timed break will occur at the halfway point (Lap 100). The qualification process involves splitting the field into three practice groups, each having three sessions. The fastest lap from the final practice session will determine the starting lineup for the four 25-lap heat races. Again, only green flag laps will count. The top five finishers from each heat race (20 drivers total) will advance to the main event.

Drivers who do not advance through the heat races will compete in a 75-lap Last Chance Qualifier (LCQ), with the top two finishers advancing to the main event. The 23rd and final starting spot is reserved for the highest finisher in the 2024 driver points standings who has not yet qualified. Effectively then, Joey Logano, the defending NASCAR Cup Series Champion, is guaranteed a spot in the main event.

The practice and heat races will be broadcast on Fox Sports 1 on February 1, while the LCQ and main event will be broadcast on February 2, with the main event airing live on FOX at 8 p.m. ET. This event returns to a venue with deep roots in stock car racing history. The format emphasizes driver talent while also showcasing the dynamic strategy of racing from the members of the teams outside of the car. More than anything, the race will set the tone for the upcoming season.

Check out our Source Materials Page for more on this topic.

Sponsorship Announcements:

Kyle Busch will continue his partnership with Rebel Bourbon for the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season. Rebel Bourbon will sponsor Busch's No. 8 Chevrolet in select races, starting with the Circuit of The Americas on March 2. The new car design features a wood-grain and charred barrel look, reflecting the bourbon's aging process.

Noah Gragson will have Rush Truck Centers as his primary sponsor for eight races in the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season, starting with the Daytona 500.

Spire Motorsports announced a multi-year partnership with Workforce to sponsor Michael McDowell's No. 71 Chevrolet in three races during the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season. Workforce will debut as the primary sponsor at the Cook Out Clash on February 2.

Garrett Smithley will partner with Hire Heroes USA for the 2025 NASCAR Xfinity Series season, starting with the season opener at Daytona International Speedway.

SciAps will sponsor the SciAps 300 NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway on April 12. This partnership marks SciAps' second consecutive NASCAR sponsorship.

Check out our Source Materials Page for more on this topic.

NASCAR Gets Rid of Rookie Stripes:

Starting in 2025, NASCAR will no longer require rookie drivers to display yellow stripes on their cars. NASCAR considers these stripes unnecessary for drivers at the highest levels of stock car racing. This change applies to the Cup, Xfinity, and Truck Series and has sparked mixed reactions. Fans and industry insiders view the stripes as a significant tradition and a safety measure, helping experienced drivers identify rookies on the track. Despite the controversy, NASCAR maintains that the stripes are no longer needed, emphasizing the professionalism and skill level of all drivers in the series.

Check out our Source Materials Page for more on this topic.

Miscellaneous:

Brad Perez will compete in at least four Xfinity Series races for Alpha Prime Racing in 2025, driving the No. 45 car. Perez has made 12 Xfinity Series starts over the past three seasons, with a best finish of 18th at Circuit of The Americas.

Keelan Harvick, son of NASCAR legend Kevin Harvick, is preparing for his first season in full-bodied stock cars. After success in karting and Legends cars, Keelan will compete in Pro and Super Late Models through a partnership between Rackley W.A.R. and Kevin Harvick Inc.

Rockingham Speedway will host an open test on January 28 for NASCAR Xfinity and Craftsman Truck Series teams. This test, open to the public, will help drivers familiarize themselves with the track ahead of the April races. The Xfinity Series last raced at Rockingham in 2004, and the Truck Series in 2013.

Check out our Source Materials Page for more on these topics.

This newsletter is constructed by AI and reviewed by our editorial team.

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