By james art 
Winston-Salem, NC-the Cookout Cookout Weeked launches in Winston-Salem, attracting thousands of fans of racing and drivers to the city. Local leaders are planning to bring tens of millions of dollars into the local economy.
The festivities are concentrated around Bowman Gray Stadium, which for the first time hosts the annual NASCAR Collision Exhibition Competition. NASCAR employees said the organization invests approximately $ 4.5 million to upgrade the stadium, including new walls, lights and optical radiation fibers.
“Very excited, very honored, we claim that NASCAR has really started at the Bowman Gray Stadium stadium,” said Winston-Salem Mayor Allen Joy.
For many, the event is more than financial grace; This is a return to the roots of competitions in the area. “For them to bring it back to their roots and in the history of Bauman Gray, I want to say that we could not ask for a better opportunity,” said a local enthusiast.
Will Spencer, owner of Nash, a former Winston Cup Museum, opens its doors to compete this weekend. “We have cars from the 40th and we have racing cars from the 40th to 2004,” Spencer said.
Nash, located on Liberty Street, was originally a brown colt dealer in the 40s. Spencer emphasized the importance of preserving the story, saying, “I call it the three H. History is difficult to create, history is difficult to keep, history disappears or stolen is a crime.”
Reflecting on the importance of the event, Spencer added: “Someone asked me what I was doing, no one will remember you for what kind of car you were driving, how much money you had, but for the person you are.”
The Cookout Clash weekend continues to emphasize the rich history of Winston-Salem racing, while promising significant economic benefits for the community.