Best of the Rest returns for the full 2025 season, where each week we will look at three drivers from each series that ran and/or finished well that may fly under the weekly radar.

This week we begin with the Cook Out Clash at Bowman-Gray Stadium. Bowman-Gray hosted it’s first Cup Series race in 1958 and is one of NASCAR’s first tracks. After a long absence since 1971, NASCAR’s premier series returned to Bowman-Gray for the annual Clash exhibition race last weekend.

Cup Series: Cook Out Clash and Last Chance Qualifier Race

• Josh Berry (#21 Wood Brothers Racing Ford) : In a fitting return to Bowman-Gray, Josh Berry brought the legendary No. 21 Ford home in second in the Last Chance Qualifier. Finishing just behind Kyle Larson, Berry earned his way into the main event. New for 2025, this was Berry’s first competitive race in his new Wood Brothers ride.

   While Berry did not have quite the luck of the LCQ in the main event, the beat up #21 Ford finished 13th after earning the 22nd starting spot.

• Shane van Gisbergen (#88 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet): SVG also made his debut in a new Cup Series ride for 2025. Making his first laps the new third Trackhouse entry, SVG wheeled his #88 Chevrolet to a ninth place finish after starting 10th. Making another impressive start at Bowman-Gray, van Gisbergen has only 14 career Cup starts starting in 2023 to this point.

• Ryan Preece (#60 RFK Racing Ford): Following the trend, Ryan Preece also had an impressive Clash run. Making his first start in RFK’s new #60 entry, Preece placed his Fastenal Ford in 11th in the main, after starting 12th. Preece, a victim of the Stewart-Haas Racing closing, found a new home with RFK’s new team during the off-season.