On Sunday, 27 NASCAR Cup Series drivers will tackle the quarter-mile temporary track inside the L.A. Memorial Coliseum for the 45th running of the Busch Light Clash.
The first edition of the Busch Light Clash was run at Daytona Int’l Speedway on Feb. 11, 1979 and the event was run annually at the Florida facility until its maiden venture to the Coliseum last February.
Hamlin & Harvick Lead Active Drivers With All-Time Wins
The inaugural race in Daytona was won by NASCAR Hall of Famer Buddy Baker. Since then, 23 different Cup Series drivers have emerged from the Clash triumphant — including last year’s winner Joey Logano.
However, Joe Gibbs Racing’s Denny Hamlin and Stewart-Haas Racing’s Kevin Harvick are the winningest active drivers with three Clash victories each. Hamlin was the most recent winner of the two when he claimed victory in 2016.
Another NASCAR Hall of Famer, Dale Earnhardt, won a record six Clashes, taking the checkered flag in 1980, ’86, ’88, ’91, ’93 and ’95.
Logano Looks For Second Consecutive Victory
Last year, Logano was the fifth driver to claim the Busch Light Clash and the championship in the same year. Others who have turned the trick are Earnhardt (1980, ’86, ’91, ’93), Darrell Waltrip (1981), Jeff Gordon (1997) and Tony Stewart (2002).
This weekend, the Team Penske driver will attempt to become the fifth driver to add to another record — consecutive Clash wins. Harvick, Stewart, Ken Schrader and Neil Bonnett are the only Cup Series stars who have gone back-to-back at the Clash.
Harvick was the last one to do so in 2009-’10.
.013 Seconds – The Closest Margin Of Victory
The closest margin of victory recorded at the Busch Light Clash came in 2012, when Kyle Busch finished .013 seconds ahead of Stewart. Previously, Kurt Busch held the record for beating Jamie McMurray by .058 seconds in 2011.
Last year, Logano won the Clash at the Coliseum by .877 seconds over Kyle Busch — the 23rd closest margin of victory.
By The Numbers
4 — Drivers who have won the Busch Light Clash from the pole or first starting position include Waltrip (1981), Bill Elliott (1987), Ken Schrader (1989) and Hamlin (2014).
5 — Drivers who have won the event in their first appearance include Baker (1979), Earnhardt (1980), Gordon (1994), Dale Jarrett (1996) and Hamlin (2006). This year will mark the first appearance for LEGACY MOTOR CLUB’s Noah Gragson and Joe Gibbs Racing’s Ty Gibbs.
14 — The record of different leaders in a single Busch Light Clash was set at Daytona Int’l Speedway in 2009.
22 — Chevrolet holds the highest number of wins by a manufacturer. The last Chevrolet driver to win the Clash was Jimmie Johnson in 2019.
27 — When Harvick won in 2009, he set the record for the lowest starting position (27th) of any previous race winner.