AJ Allmendinger and Cole Custer were spotted in a heated discussion following the final heat race at Bowman Gray Stadium ahead of the NASCAR Cook Out Clash later today.
The two drivers found themselves in a dramatic situation on the track when they crashed at Turn 3.
They had both recently rejoined the NASCAR Cup Series from the Xfinity Series, and this return has not been without its challenges. The collision led to Custer hitting the wall, followed by further contact with Allmendinger, which escalated tensions in what was already a highly competitive environment.
This chaos took a toll on their race, as neither driver managed to secure a spot in the main Sunday race. Now, both drivers must face each other again in the Last Chance Qualifier.
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NASCAR reporter Noah Lewis shared a video to social media of the two drivers in a heated exchange following the heat race. He posted:
“‘I got tight…,’ -@AJDinger to @ColeCuster. Custer lets him know he’s not going to worry about it unless it keeps happening.”
Bowman Gray Stadium is known for its historical significance in NASCAR, as it is the oldest continuously operating track since 1949. It features a small, 0.25-mile layout with flat turns, which typically results in aggressive driving and frequent contact between competitors.
This setting has a reputation for bringing out the tension in the drivers, much like what unfolded between Allmendinger and Custer. The race structure at Bowman Gray is set up to be highly competitive, with only the top five drivers from each heat securing direct advancement to the main event.
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AJ Allmendinger’s journey through NASCAR began in the world of open-wheel racing before he made a successful transition to stock cars. Over time, he has become known for his emotional wins and self-critical nature.
In 2023, he joined Kaulig Racing, a team with which he has found considerable success, including a victory at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in the Cup Series.
On the other hand, Cole Custer, a racer with a deeply ingrained family legacy in NASCAR, drives for Haas Factory Team, which formed following the closure of Stewart Haas Racing in 2024. Speaking about the new version of his team, Custer previously explained:
“I’ve grown up with Haas Automation, and having their name on my fire suit is something I take a tremendous amount of pride in. I’m driven to win for Gene and everyone at Haas Automation because they’ve been such a big part of my career.
“Haas Factory Team will essentially be a new race team next year, and it’s going to take all of us to build it into an organization that can go out and win races. I want this opportunity and I’m ready for this challenge.”
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2025 Clash Qualifying Lineup
1. Chase Elliott
2. Chris Buescher
3. Denny Hamlin
4. Tyler Reddick
5. Brad Keselowski
6. Chase Briscoe
7. Joey Logano
8. Christopher Bell
9. Noah Gragson
10. Shane van Gisbergen
11. William Byron
12. Ryan Preece
13. Kyle Busch
14. Bubba Wallace
15. Carson Hocevar
16. Austin Cindric
17. Ross Chastain
18. Daniel Suarez
19. Alex Bowman
20. Todd Gilliland
