NASCAR's return to Bowman Gray Stadium was a smashing success, with an atmosphere that would be nearly impossible to replicate at any other facility in the world.

The future of the Clash, a surprisingly good run at Bowman Gray Stadium and more chatter from Sunday's exhibition race.

By so many metrics, the NASCAR Cup Series’ season-opening event was a hit.

One look at Bowman Gray Stadium on Sunday night told you everything you need to know. The legendary quarter-mile in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, has been a proving ground for over 80 years, and its fans remain some of the most passionate race fans in the country.

NASCAR returns to its roots Sunday with the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium, which last played host to a Cup Series event more than 50 years ago. After three years on a temporary short track at the Los Angeles Coliseum, NASCAR has moved The Clash to the 0.25-mile track in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, known as “The Madhouse.”

Ryan Blaney was a little kid the first time he raced at Bowman Gray Stadium and remembers it being the coolest thing he’d ever done in motorsports.

Bowman Gray Stadium is famous for its viral videos of short track fights and close quarters racing. From 1958 until 1971, the Winston-Salem facility hosted 29 races conducted by NASCAR’s top series. The 30th will come this weekend with the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray.

Everyone was chasing Chase! Chase Elliott won the season-kickoff NASCAR Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, N.C., on Sunday