Crab Smith flips off Trey Hutchens on track during Madhouse Classic ahead of Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium

Already we are seeing sparks fly at Bowman Gray Stadium and the NASCAR Clash isn’t until tomorrow. Modified driver Crab Smith had enough. Trey Hutchens got into him on track and Crab let the bird fly.

Now, middle fingers are no strange thing at Bowman Gray Stadium. This is the Madhouse after all. These modified drivers put on a show, along with NASCAR stars Bobby Labonte and Ryan Preece, to open up the weekend.

Wrecks, drama, and a finish between two drivers who have been doing it for decades. That’s what the Madhouse Classic gave fans before the Clash at Bowman Gray.

Crab Smith got out of his Peterbilt-sponsored No. 99 car. He immediately let Trey Hutchens know what he thought about him. Here’s a video from the broadcast, via Steven Taranto of CBS Sports.

Crab Smith gets out of his car and tells Trey Hutchens he's Number 1

NASCAR is so back pic.twitter.com/G6faI32ejL

— Steven Taranto (@STaranto92) February 1, 2025

How about this for the start to the NASCAR weekend? Crab and the boys were bringing it on the track. There were a few moments that looked like they could have blown up into something bigger. However, we didn’t see any fists flying.

There is a practice and qualifying session coming up for the Cup Series starting at 6:00 PM EST on FS1. Each practice group gets three timed sessions on track, their final session will act as qualifying. From there, the Heat Races for the Clash at Bowman Gray will take place.

NASCAR season kicks off with Clash at Bowman Gray

A lot of great action has already taken place with the modified race. However, the Cup Series portion of the season is about to start. That means we are one step closer to Daytona and The Great American Race. First, these drivers have to fight it out at the Madhouse.

These quarter-mile tracks are made for beating and banging. Rubbing is racing and nowhere is that more true than in the Clash at Bowman Gray. We are going to see drivers get on each other’s nerves and hopefully, we see some action in the infield and on the track.

Let’s just remember that drivers have previous beefs. Kyle Busch and Ricky Stenhosue Jr. would probably love to get at one another again, right? There is always the chance for a new rivalry to start up as well.

The LA Coliseum produced a few contentious moments. Now the Cup Series goes to a place made for racing and for fighting, the Madhouse. The first part of the Clash at Bowman Gray is going to start in less than a couple of hours.