Is The Clash at Dodger Stadium a Swing and a Miss?

With the recent buzz surrounding the potential relocation of NASCAR’s Clash to Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, the spotlight once again shines on this iconic exhibition race, despite its recent running only a few weeks ago. Traditionally, the Clash has been a cornerstone event held at Daytona International Speedway, setting the stage for SpeedWeeks and the highly anticipated Daytona 500. The allure of numerous NASCAR events back-to-back at Daytona was a highlight for dedicated fans, many of whom turned SpeedWeeks into a vacation. However, a pivot three years ago saw NASCAR take the Clash to the Los Angeles Coliseum, transforming a beloved tradition into a spectacle.

The decision to move the Clash was met with skepticism from the start. NASCAR attempted to recreate the magic of Bowman Gray, a revered track in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, by staging the race on a similarly small track within the Coliseum. However, this was flawed logic, considering NASCAR does not race at Bowman Gray due to its diminutive size. Additionally, the integration of music performances during the event failed to resonate with the core NASCAR audience. The music talent was often criticized by fans who didn’t view the chosen performers as a good fit, and stopping the race midway for a few songs from the headlining act was akin to the Superbowl and unheard of in NASCAR. The misguided attempt to attract new fans backfired, leaving traditional NASCAR supporters disillusioned while teams were burdened with exorbitant costs for the cross-country journey.

The Clash’s tenure at the Coliseum quickly soured, with fans dubbing the event a circus due to its gimmicky nature. Moreover, the mismatch between NASCAR’s fuel-burning race and California’s environmentally conscious population further compounded the event and feelings toward it. After three years, the Coliseum’s appeal wore thin, prompting speculation about the future of the race.

After the 2024 running of The Clash just a few short weeks ago, industry insiders and fans alike clamored for its return to Daytona, citing numerous benefits, including reduced travel costs for teams, a built-in fanbase during SpeedWeeks, and a purpose-built facility conducive to racing. However, instead of heeding this advice, NASCAR is reportedly exploring yet another gimmicky version of the Clash, this time at Dodger Stadium.

At the moment, it seems this famous baseball stadium is a leading contender to replace both the Coliseum and the now-defunct California Speedway known as Fontana. While the specifics remain uncertain, the urgency stems from NASCAR’s lack of a solid plan for LA in 2025, which is prompting a swift potential solution.

The series could construct another temporary oval within the stadium, devise a street circuit similar to the Miami GP around the parking lot, or even fashion a track weaving in and out of the stadium. The vast space, which was demonstrated during its use as a COVID-19 testing and vaccination site in 2020, offers ample room for racing with potential infield facilities.

But the prospect of this race at Dodger Stadium raises questions about NASCAR’s priorities and the viability of the LA market. Given the lackluster ticket sales at the Coliseum in 2024, it begs the question: Is the LA market worth the risk of yet another contrived race? We’ve already had a few of those, and they haven’t done well. For example, the dirt race at Bristol was costly and labor-intensive to create. Several drivers and teams expressed substantial displeasure with the dirt race, as did fans. By year three, ticket sales for this event were so poor that they didn’t cover costs. So, as of this year, the dirt race has been suspended. Then there’s the All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro. This event was an undeniable success as far as nostalgia was concerned; however, the race itself was tedious and lackluster, prompting necessary changes for this year, including a track repave, in the sincere hope it will produce better racing. So as NASCAR ventures down Gimmick Road once again, The Clash faces uncertainty and skepticism with a baseball stadium as a backdrop. After all, it’s not hard to imagine the jokes and memes that will be created for this race, with back-up cars in the bullpen, drivers with bats, and cars sliding into home plate.

As NASCAR charts its course for the 2025 season, it must carefully consider the lessons learned to date and the desires of its core fanbase. Will Dodger Stadium be a swing and a miss? Only time will tell.