Berry and Cindric Advance to 2026 Cook Out Clash!

NACAR Cup Series driver Josh Berry (Fisher Gianotti, Darlington 2025)

After 75 laps of LCQ action, the 23 car field for the 48th Running of the Cook Out Clash is set! Both Wood Brothers Racing's Josh Berry and Penske Racing's Austin Cindric locked themselves into the main feature!

Berry started on pole for the event that quickly became action packed and drama filled. On the start, Spire Motorsports Driver Michael McDowell jumped the initial green temporarily holding the lead to the first caution on lap 6. Unfortunately for McDowell, he was issued a restart violation, sending him to the tail of the field. McDowell never recovered from the incident, and finished 11th.

On the ensuing restart, Kaulig Racing's A.J. Allmendinger took control of the lead, and led 11 laps, before being passed by the eventual winner of Berry on lap 17. But the battle to decide the final transfer was nothing less of dramatic. In the closing laps, Allmendinger was passed by Roush Fenway Keselowski's Corey Lajoie who filled in for owner Brad Keselowski, who had to miss the race due to a leg injury suffered during the preseason. A few laps later, Lajoie was greeted from behind by Cindric with the bumper.

Both cars would cross over each other multiple times and flip flop positions, as when the white flag was thrown, it became a three-horse race for the transfer spot. In turn three of the final lap, Cindric got to the bottom of Lajoie trying to hinder his momentum. Behind Allmendinger took a big dive attempt in desperation running into the back of Cindric. Usually this results in a spin, but not the case this time.

Cindric ultimately prevailed as if he had received a bump draft, while Lajoie and Allmendinger trailed behind. In the epic battle, the LCQ race only saw only one caution on lap 6, while Berry led 64 laps in route to his LCQ win. Additionally, Hendrick Motorsports Driver Alex Bowman finished 17th, advancing to the main feature via provisional. He raced the session as a test session on a scuffed set of tires.

LCQ Results: