It’s time to kick off a new NASCAR season with the annual Cook Out Clash on Feb. 2 (8 p.m. ET, FOX, MRN Radio, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio) — but in a new location. After running the Cup Series’ preseason exhibition at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum for three years,

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — Bumping, beating and banging were the headliners Saturday night, along with Chase Elliott, in the return of the NASCAR Cup Series to Bowman Gray Stadium for the first time since 1971. Elliott won the first of four heat races on the quarter-mile track and will start Sunday night’s Cook Out Clash from the pole.

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,