The 2023 NASCAR season is soon to begin. The Clash at the LA Coliseum on February 5th is an exhibition event that drops the green flag on the season.
View the 2023 Clash format below.
In previous editions of the Clash, drivers became eligible with wins and poles from the previous season. Other notables like past champions also qualified.
However, The Clash is a race that’s designed to break barriers and bring new eyes to the sport. It’s an important event for sponsors and thus more teams wanted to be included.
Now, all 36 charter teams are eligible to compete in the race.
Qualifying
-Single vehicle qualifying will occur on Saturday, February 4th following the scheduled practice.
-Qualifying will be single vehicle one (1) round, 3 laps, one (1) warm-up, two (2) timed.
-Qualifying order will be determined by 2022 Owner Points (lowest to highest).
-If there are more than 40 entries to this Event, the fastest four (4) open teams will transfer into the Heat Races.
Heat Races (4 Races/25 Laps)
-Only completed green flag laps will be counted toward the official race distance
-Heat race lineups will be set by Qualifying
-Fastest qualifier – Pole for Heat 1
-Second fastest qualifier – Pole for Heat 2
-Third fastest qualifier – Pole for Heat 3
-Fourth fastest qualifier – Pole for Heat 4, etc
-The top five (5) from each race advance through to The Clash
-Remaining five (5) finishing positions from each heat continue through to the Last Chance Qualifier Race 1 and the Last Chance Qualifier Race 2 with their starting position being determined by where they finished in their heat races.
LCQ (2 Races/50 laps)
Only completed green flag laps will be counted toward the official race distance
-Top three (3) from both LCQ 1 and LCQ 2 advance through to The Clash.
-The remaining drivers are eliminated from the remainder of the Event.
LCQ 1
-Those that did not advance from Heat 1 & 3.
-The 6th place finisher from Heat 1 will be on the Pole.
-The 6th place finisher from Heat 3 will be on the outside Pole.
-Lineup – Inside row positions 6-10 from Heat #1. Outside row positions 6-10 from Heat #3
LCQ 2
-Those that did not advance from Heat 2 & 4.
-The 6th place finisher from Heat 2 will be on the Pole.
-The 6th place finisher from Heat 4 will be on the outside Pole.
-Lineup – Inside row positions 6-10 from Heat #2. Outside row positions 6-10 from Heat #4
The Clash: Format
-Only completed green flag laps will be counted toward the official race distance
-27 Drivers will start The Clash main event.
-26 starting drivers are locked in through their finishes in the heat races, LCQ 1, and LCQ 2.
-27th and final spot is reserved for the driver who finished the highest in the 2022 season points standing who did not already earn a starting position in The Clash.
The Clash: Starting Lineup
Position 1
Heat 1 Winner
Position 2
Heat 2 Winner
Position 3
Heat 3 Winner
Position 4
Heat 4 Winner
Position 5
Heat 1 2nd Place
Position 6
Heat 2 2nd Place
Position 7
Heat 3 2nd Place
Position 8
Heat 4 2nd Place
Position 9
Heat 1 3rd Place
Position 10
Heat 2 3rd Place
Position 11
Heat 3 3rd Place
Position 12
Heat 4 3rd Place
Position 13
Heat 1 4th Place
Position 14
Heat 2 4th Place
Position 15
Heat 3 4th Place
Position 16
Heat 4 4th Place
Position 17
Heat 1 5th Place
Position 18
Heat 2 5th Place
Position 19
Heat 3 5th Place
Position 20
Heat 4 5th Place
Position 21
LCQ 1 Winnner
Position 22
LCQ 2 Winner
Position 23
LCQ 1 2nd Place
Position 24
LCQ 2 2nd Place
Position 25
LCQ 1 3rd Place
Position 26
LCQ 2 3rd Place
Position 27
22 Points Provisional
Links
LA Coliseum | NASCAR