Defending series champion Kyle Larson topped the leaderboard in Wednesday’s NASCAR Cup Series qualifying session to claim the pole position for the 2026 Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium at 63.663 mph in the No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet. The two-time NASCAR Cup Series title winner will lead the field to green in the main event at 6 p.m. ET on FOX, HBO Max, MRN Radio and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
Right behind him was Hendrick stablemate William Byron in the No. 24 Chevrolet at 63.645 mph.
MORE: Lineup Tracker | Full Clash schedule
Rounding out the top five were Ty Gibbs in the No. 54 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota, Chase Briscoe in the No. 19 JGR Toyota and Christopher Bell in the No. 20 JGR entry. Rookie Connor Zilisch qualified for the main event in the No. 88 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet, placing 19th on the board. The points provisional went to No. 48 Hendrick driver Alex Bowman, who can still race his way in via the Last Chance Qualifier.
The top 20 cars from qualifying locked into the main event. The Last Chance Qualifier to finalize the 2026 Clash field is set for 4:30 p.m. ET (FOX, HBO Max, MRN Radio, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).
No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing driver Christopher Bell posted the fastest lap in cumulative practice sessions that preceded qualifying with a best speed of 63.411 mph. No. 12 Team Penske driver Ryan Blaney was second on the board at 63.295 mph.
The practice and qualifying sessions marked the first official on-track activity since the 2025 season finale at Phoenix Raceway, after The Clash was initially scheduled for Feb. 1 but was postponed several days due to historic North Carolina snowfall.
MORE: Drivers aid snow removal at Bowman Gray | Snow-covered scenes at Bowman Gray