The Busch Clash at the LA Coliseum has been moved from Sunday to Saturday in an ‘unprecedented’ last minute decision
Update: Busch Clash Results from February 3, 2024 (NASCAR Cup Series)
NASCAR is set to open the 2024 season. The LA Coliseum is hosting The Busch Light Clash, an exhibition race for the NASCAR Cup Series.
Meanwhile, potentially ‘life threatening’ weather is heading into Los Angeles. Due to the weather, NASCAR has abruptly moved the feature race of the Busch Light Clash from Sunday to Saturday.
‘Life-threatening’ weather storm heading for Los Angeles
The announcement was made just hours ahead of cars touching the track for qualifying on Saturday. It’s an unprecedented decision by NASCAR and an attempt to get the race in.
Weather is expected to remain in the area through Wednesday. That made it difficult for NASCAR to hope for the best.
Initially, fans who had a Sunday ticket would not have been in the grandstands for Saturday. Following outrage, NASCAR elected to open the grandstands to everyone for free.
Now, some free tickets will still be handed out even with the main event taking place on Saturday instead of Sunday. Additionally, refunds will be issued for fans that are unable to attend the rescheduled race.
NASCAR discussed plans of starting Sunday’s race earlier than planned. However, the weather forecast continued to worsen, ultimately leading to this outcome.
With the reschedule, the format has also been adjusted. All heat races as well as the LCQ have been removed from the event.
The NASCAR Mexico Series feature was also scheduled for Sunday. That will now take place after the NASCAR Cup Series feature on Saturday night as long as weather allows.
Clash at the LA Coliseum: TV Schedule & Format (February 2024)
Steve O’Donnell comments
“It certainly hurts,” Steve O’Donnell told reporters after the rescheduling announcement of the Busch Clash.
“Financially, it’s not going to be great. Nor will it be from a ratings standpoint. In terms of what it could have been.”
“At the end of the day, it’s what’s the right thing to do? Keep everyone safe and this is that decision.”
“We started to review Saturday options late last night and this morning. We really applaud The Coliseum for even making this a possibility.”
“It’s the best of what is a really tough situation, for the fans. We felt this was the best option to keep everybody safe.”
“Logistics, Daytona, what’s the best thing for the teams as well? Certainly, if we could race Saturday, that’s helpful to them but they’re certainly not pushing for it.”
There’s still a possibility of rain tonight.
“We’ll push and look at what we can do tomorrow. We’ll keep the public safety in mind, first and foremost.”
“I don’t want to jump ahead. But, if we start looking at when you could race, you look at an extended forecast [canceling] is certainly something we would look at.”
“What we’re doing right now is unprecedented. Best interest for the fans.”
“It’s going to be an inconvenience certainly for those that had tickets. We’re going to be reaching out to every single fan to see what we can do to make it good on their end.”
Update: Busch Light Clash Results
