One win — particularly in an exhibition race — does not guarantee anything. But if this was NASCAR of only five years ago, then Chase Elliott's dominating victory in the preseason Clash would make him the favorite to win the Daytona 500.

Chase Elliott claimed NASCAR's first checkered flag of 2025 on Sunday night in Winston-Salem, winning the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium for his first victory in the Cup Series' preseason event.

Byron had a pretty forgettable weekend. He started 11th, got turned with 85 laps to go (the same time as his HMS teammate Larson) and never recovered to finish 18th. Now he heads to Daytona, where he’s the defending Daytona 500 winner.

Elliott started on the pole and led 171 of the race’s 200 laps Sunday night in the first Cup race at the historic Winston-Salem venue since 1971.

NASCAR returned to its roots with a fight-free preseason exhibition at Bowman Gray Stadium and a popular victory with Chase Elliott winning The Clash on Sunday night. Elliott won his heat Saturday night to start from the pole and essentially dominate on the quarter-mile track where NASCAR’s Cup Series last raced in 1971.

After earning victory in the Cook Out Clash exhibition race at Bowman Gray Stadium, Hendrick Motorsports driver Chase Elliott has reflected on his achievement.