NASCAR announced that its annual preseason exhibition, the Clash, will make its long‑awaited return to Daytona International Speedway in February 2027, marking the first time the event has been staged on the famed 3.8‑mile oval since the 2020 edition. The race will be officially titled the Wheatley Vodka Clash, reviving a name that has become synonymous with the series’ season‑opening spectacle.
A historic comeback
The Clash originally ran on the Daytona oval from 1979 through 2020, before a series of venue changes forced it onto the road course, a temporary short track at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and, most recently, the icy surface of Bowman Gray Stadium. After a two‑year stint at Bowman Gray, where frigid temperatures and occasional snowfall marred the spectacle, NASCAR decided to bring the Clash back to its spiritual home, scheduling it for February 13, 2027, just days before the 69th running of the Daytona 500.
The new placement will see pole qualifying for the Daytona 500 take place on February 17, followed by the Duels on February 18, a Truck Series race on February 19 and the O’Reilly 250 on February 20, creating a compacted but high‑octane week of competition that promises to set the tone for the season.
Coca‑Cola’s return to the summer schedule
In a separate but complementary move, the iconic Coca‑Cola 400 will also return to Daytona on August 28, 2027, restoring a summer tradition that has been absent in recent years and providing another marquee event for fans gathering at the Florida venue.
While the exact format and eligibility criteria for the 2027 Clash are still pending, series officials have hinted that the event will retain its invitation‑only nature, rewarding top performers from the previous season and offering a unique opportunity for drivers to fine‑tune their setups before the Daytona 500.
The upcoming weekend will also feature the participation of drivers such as Ryan Preece, who captured the most recent Clash victory in 2026, and Erik Jones, the 2020 winner whose dramatic finish was marked by significant damage to his car, adding a layer of narrative intrigue to the revival.
Fans can expect a blend of nostalgia and fresh competition as NASCAR seeks to reinvigorate its season‑opening narrative, with the Daytona oval poised to once again serve as the centerpiece of early‑year action and the broader Speedweeks schedule.