By ZECH YODER
Excitement is brewing as NASCAR unofficially kicks off its 2024 season this weekend at the iconic Los Angeles Coliseum with the Busch Light Clash. This weekend’s racing exhibition comes on the heels of the release of Netflix’s new docuseries, NASCAR: Full Speed.
The Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum is in its third year and has quickly become a NASCAR tradition. The Clash is unlike any other NASCAR event. The track is temporary. Built into the Los Angeles Coliseum, which was home to the 1932 and 1984 Olympic games, the Los Angeles Rams, and, currently, the University of Southern California.
Next to the Rose Bowl, the Los Angeles Coliseum is the most recognizable and iconic stadium in the country. The track is small. At a quarter mile, it is the smallest track on the NASCAR schedule and less than half the size of the next smallest track, Martinsville Speedway. Unlike Martinsville, the track at the LA Coliseum can only accommodate a portion of the NASCAR field. Therefore, a knockout style “heat race” formula is utilized to set the field for the Clash. Instead of the normal 38-car field, the 150-lap feature is cut to just 27 cars.
I must confess, I am not a huge fan of the Clash. The concept is great, but the racing has been lackluster. As has been the case for the last two years, the NextGen car has not been good on short tracks.
Actually, the car has been too good. The NextGen car has wide tires, low horsepower, and a five-speed sequential gear box. All of this makes the car easier to drive and less likely to spin out in the corners. Because the car is easier to drive, it makes passing more difficult. A mistake that might cost a driver five positions or result in a crash in the old car is barely noticeable in the NextGen car.
NASCAR has invested a great deal of energy in fixing the short track problem. We will see this weekend if any strides have been made. Though I am not expecting a lot, it will be fun to see the cars back on track.
As I mentioned above, Netflix has released a new docuseries that follows the Cup Series. NASCAR: Full Speed is to NASCAR what Drive to Survive is to Formula 1. Having only watched the first episode, I cannot really form an opinion, but reviews has been overwhelmingly positive. If NASCAR: Full Speed is even half as successful as Drive to Survive, this docuseries could reignite interest in NASCAR, which has seen significant declines in viewership and attendance since the late 2000s and early 2010s.
The last two season of the Cup Series have been excellent. With the introduction of NASCAR: Full Speed, NASCAR may be in for a monster season. I expect race attendance and ratings to grow significantly over the coming season.
Zech Yoder is a local resident, an attorney at Adler Attorneys in Noblesville, and a lifelong race fan.