NASCAR is back and the 2017 Monster Energy Cup Series Champion, Martin Truex Jr. wins the opening exhibition race in Los Angeles. Truex, who has one of the most up and down careers in NASCAR history had an excellent night as he won his heat race to advance to the Clash. He then came up big in the final 25 laps to win his first Clash of his career. Truex is certainly hoping 2023 ends for him the same way 2022 did for Joey Logano, winning the Clash and winning the Championship.
CLASH HEAT 1
Aric Almirola came up big in the first heat for the Clash. The driver of the number ten Ford was in first place after 25 green flag laps securing the pole position for the 150 lap Clash. Alex Bowman, Justin Haley, Noah Gragson and 2022 Clash winner Joey Logano advanced to the main event with Almirola.
CLASH HEAT 2
Martin Truex Jr. led the final seven laps in the number 19 car to secure the second starting position in the main event. Two time series champion Kyle Busch, who led 18 of the 25 laps, finished second. Austin Dillon and Kyle Larson finished third and fourth. Coming to the checkers, Chase Elliott was in the final transfer spot, but after a collision with Ricky Stenhouse, Kevin Harvick found himself in fifth and advancing to the main event.
CLASH HEAT 3
Denny Hamlin dominated heat three at the Clash, leading 20 of the 25 laps in the heat. Hamlin passed his teammate, and heat pole sitter, Christopher Bell and never looked back. Chase Briscoe, Tyler Reddick, Ryan Blaney and Daniel Suarez rounded out the top five and advanced to the main event.
CLASH HEAT 4
William Byron had the most dominant performance in the four heats. Byron led all 25 laps to coast to victory and fourth place starting position in the main event. Granted he faced what looked like the weakest competition in any of the four heats. Bubba Wallace, Ross Chastain, Ryan Preece and Erik Jones wold also advance.
LAST CHANCE QUALIFIERS
Driver who did not advance from the heats were given the chance to continue if they could finish in the top three of two Last Chance Qualifying Races. Michael McDowell, Christopher Bell and Todd Gilliland advanced following race one. Chase Elliott, Ty Gibbs and AJ Allmendinger advanced after race two. Austin Cindric was granted the provisional starting position by having the highest finish in the 2022 points of drivers who had not qualified for the race.
CONCLUSION
It’s a different type of race and works fairly well for an exhibition race. I would never want to see a points race on this small of a track, but I’m fine with it here. Hopefully, NASCAR starts alternating the Clash and the All Star race. I think both would benefit from different types of tracks each year. Still, it’s great to see NASCAR back. I can’t wait for Daytona.
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