The Wheatley Vodka Clash, NASCAR’s season‑opening exhibition race, is set to make a high‑profile return to Daytona International Speedway on February 13, 2027, after a five‑year absence.
A historic comeback
Tickets for the event have officially gone on sale, marking the first time the Clash will be staged on the track’s famed high‑banked oval since 2021. The race was last held in Daytona in 2021, when Kyle Busch claimed victory, and before that it ran on the same layout from 1979 through 2020.
The 2027 running will be embedded in the broader Speedweeks Presented by AdventHealth schedule, which also features the 69th DAYTONA 500 on February 17, a qualifying session, a Duel race, and the iconic Coke Zero Sugar 400 in August. Tyler Reddick, who captured the 2026 DAYTONA 500 for 23XI Racing, is already eyeing a rare double‑win feat — taking both the 500 and the August 400 in the same season, an accomplishment last achieved by Jimmie Johnson in 2013.
Beyond the on‑track action, fans can indulge in exclusive hospitality packages such as NASCAR 1948, which promise behind‑the‑scenes access, premium dining and other premium amenities for an immersive race‑weekend experience.
The weekend will also host Bert Kreischer’s Full Throttle Festival on February 20, bringing a blend of music, comedy and additional entertainment to the Daytona Beach scene, further enriching the festival atmosphere.
Daytona International Speedway, often called the World Center of Racing, continues to diversify its calendar with events ranging from the Rolex 24 at DAYTONA to Bike Week and a variety of other motorsports, underscoring its status as a year‑round hub for automotive competition.