The field was grouped into four heat races based on speed, and it came easily for the Hendrick Motorsports star who returned to the playoffs. Elliott held off the pack in an eventful opening heat race, earning the pole position for the Clash at Bowman Gray that is scheduled to go green at around 8:20 p.m. Sunday.

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — Bumping, beating and banging were the headliners Saturday night, along with Chase Elliott, in the return of the NASCAR Cup Series to Bowman Gray Stadium for the first time since 1971. Elliott won the first of four heat races on the quarter-mile track and will start Sunday night’s Cook Out Clash from the pole.