The NASCAR Last Chance Qualifier delivered an intense battle, with a dramatic finish that left fans on the edge of their seats! Josh Berry's victory in the qualifier was a hard-fought triumph, securing his place in the highly anticipated Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium. But the real drama unfolded behind him.
Berry, starting from pole position, showcased his dominance by leading for an impressive 64 out of 75 laps. However, the race for the second transfer spot was a nail-biter. Austin Cindric, Corey LaJoie, and AJ Allmendinger engaged in a thrilling three-way battle in the closing stages, with Cindric ultimately securing the coveted position.
Cindric's post-race comments revealed his satisfaction with the fairness of the race, but also hinted at the challenges ahead: "...we advanced in. Long road ahead..." And this is where it gets interesting—starting last in the main event with scuffed tires is no easy feat.
The Last Chance Qualifier results are in, and the stage is set for the 200-lap showdown. The Cook Out Clash, scheduled for a 6:30 p.m. ET start, will feature a grid of 23 drivers. Alex Bowman, the top driver in points during the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season, secured his spot through the points provisional.
Full Qualifier Results:
1. Josh Berry
2. Austin Cindric
3. Corey LaJoie
4. AJ Allmendinger
5. John Hunter Nemechek
6. Zane Smith
7. Noah Gragson
8. Ty Dillon
9. Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
10. Erik Jones
11. Michael McDowell
12. Cole Custer
13. Chad Finchum
14. Burt Myers
15. Cody Ware
16. Riley Herbst
17. Alex Bowman
18. Todd Gilliland
The Cook Out Clash Grid:
Row 1: Larson and Byron
Row 2: Gibbs and Briscoe
Row 3: Bell and Hamlin
Row 4: Wallace and Buescher
Row 5: Chastain and Reddick
Row 6: Elliott and Hocevar
Row 7: Busch and Logano
Row 8: A. Dillon and Blaney
Row 9: Van Gisbergen and Preece
Row 10: Zilisch and Suárez
Row 11: Berry and Cindric
Row 12: Bowman
With the field locked in, the stage is set for a thrilling NASCAR event. But here's where it gets controversial—will the starting positions and tire strategies play a bigger role than raw driving talent? Share your predictions and opinions in the comments below!
