Ryan Preece has won the first race of 2026, winning the Cook Out Clash exhibition race on Wednesday night. He becomes the third driver all-time to win the Clash before earning his first career Cup win, joining Jeff Gordon and Denny Hamlin.

After a rescheduling due to weather, the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium kicks off the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, this Wednesday at the iconic racetrack.