By: Zach Arnold

With the yearly NASCAR Cup Series exhibition race coming up on February 4, 2024, there are many strong opinions on whether having the event in the LA Coliseum is the right choice. Let us look at the few positives and negatives the LA Clash brings.

The clash was run at Daytona International Speedway a week before the Daytona 500, the first official race of the season, formerly known as the “Budweiser Shootout” and “Busch Clash.” 

With this event happening at Daytona for many years, NASCAR fans became accustomed to having the event on the famed track. In 2021, NASCAR switched up the event by moving to the infield road course at Daytona instead of the oval. This change produced an exciting finish that came down to the final turn. Kyle Busch took advantage of the leaders wrecking on the last turn of the last lap.

The road course style Busch Light Clash on Daytona’s road course did not last for a second year, but instead announced a brand new idea to build a quarter-mile race track inside LA Coliseum and to have this new venue host the Busch Light Clash.

Since the LA Clash’s first debut in 2022, there have been two races on the 0.25-mile track as it came back to begin the 2023 season. NASCAR fans seem to have a strong opinion on whether they enjoy the event. Beginning with a positive, which is hosting a race in Los Angeles. NASCAR’s roots did not grow in California; instead, the sport began all the way across the country in the southeast. Bringing an entire sport to one of the largest cities in the United States can become very beneficial for the sport, as it introduces NASCAR to many new people.

Even if newcomers do not purchase a ticket to the race, the city of Los Angeles will hear news going on to their beloved coliseum. However, those who purchase a ticket to the event do not have a full NASCAR-like experience. An average speed of 67.099 was the fastest qualifying time in the 2023 Busch Light Clash; freeways going up and down California most likely had higher speeds, pending traffic.

A second question that can contribute to the conversation is whether it is worth it for NASCAR teams to spend money to send a hauler over 2500 miles west just for an exhibition event. It may not be worth it for lower-funded teams to spend time preparing for a race that will not have a large impact on their results in that race.

The clash all around is a fun event, especially if you have a ticket. In 2023, fans were given a Wiz Khalifa concert to match the Los Angeles vibe, and in 2024, Machine Gun Kelly will perform. First-time attendees might not even realize the weaker quality of racing if they have nothing to compare and are given a pleasant experience as a whole.

Considering all sides, do you think the LA Clash is, “worth it?”