Reviving a Tradition
NASCAR is set to bring back its preseason Clash to Daytona International Speedway in 2027, ending a five‑year hiatus from the track’s iconic oval and marking a strategic shift from the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and Bowman Gray Stadium used in recent years.
The race is slated for February 13, 2027, a Saturday night that lands just before the Super Bowl and eight days ahead of the Daytona 500, creating a unique convergence of sporting events that promises heightened visibility for the sport.
Unlike the road‑course experiment that took place in 2021, the 2027 edition will once again utilize the high‑banked 2.5‑mile oval, a surface that last hosted the Clash in 2020 before the series moved to alternative venues.
Wheatley American Vodka has been announced as the new official sponsor, signing a multiyear agreement that places the brand at the center of NASCAR’s early‑season narrative and adds a commercial spotlight to the event.
Ryan Preece, who captured the 2027 Clash at Bowman Gray, voiced his support for the move, citing the desire to revive the Speedweeks tradition that once spanned two weekends at Daytona, while Brad Keselowski, co‑owner of Preece’s team, added that the decision aligns with NASCAR’s purist racing philosophy regardless of venue.
The Clash will serve as the opening event of the FOX Sports portion of the Cup schedule, a strategic placement aimed at generating buzz and driving ticket sales for the remainder of the season as fans anticipate the upcoming Daytona 500.
Tracks slated for early 2027 dates are expected to unveil their calendars in the coming weeks, a development that will kick off ticket sales and further cement the series’ expanded Speedweeks schedule, reinforcing Daytona’s central role in the sport’s seasonal narrative.