This Sunday, February 5th, the NASCAR Cup Series will race in the Busch Light Clash at The Coliseum at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. This marks the second year that the exhibition event is being held at the newly built 0.25-mile L.A. Memorial Coliseum track. However, it is the 45th running of the Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum.
This non-points race was open to 40 entrants to participate, although only 36 drivers are entered. Here is the format rundown and how to make the Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum:
· The 36 drivers entered will first have to qualify to determine the starting order for the four scheduled Heat races.
· Of the cars entered, only 27 will earn a spot in the Main Event; the drivers will have three possible ways to do that.
· The first 26 positions in the starting lineup of the Main event will be set by drivers that have raced their way in through either the four Heat Races or the two Last Chance Qualifier Races.
· The 27th and final position is reserved for the driver who finished the highest in the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series season points standings who did not transfer on finishing position in the Heat Races or Last Chance Qualifier Races.
There have been 24 different winners in The Clash over the years. Here are the active drivers who have won in the event.
Kevin Harvick – 3 Wins (2009, 2010, 2013)
Denny Hamlin – 3 Wins (2006, 2014, 2016)
Kyle Busch – 2 Wins (2012, 2021)
Joey Logano – 2 Wins (2017, 2022)
Brad Keselowski – 1 Win (2018)
Erik Jones – 1 Win (2020)
Winning this race does not earn anything toward making the Playoffs or winning the NASCAR Cup Series Championship. However, it does get the year started with a win for the driver and team that prevails.
Qualifying for the event will take place Saturday night (2/4) at 7:30pm central time (8:30pm eastern time) and will air on FS1.
The Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum qualifying races will take place Sunday (2/5) at 4pm central time (5pm eastern time) and will air on FOX.
The Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum will take place Sunday (2/5) at 7pm central time (8pm eastern time) and will also air on FOX.
By: Buck Stevens
