The 2027 NASCAR season will kick off with a throwback event that fans have been eagerly anticipating: the exhibition race known as The Clash will make its long‑awaited return to Daytona International Speedway on February 13, 2027.
A historic comeback
The non‑point spectacle, sponsored by Wheatley American Vodka, serves as a warm‑up for the season‑opening Daytona 500, which is set for February 21, and will feature a condensed format designed to showcase emerging talent.
First staged in 1979, the Clash has a storied history at Daytona, where it was a staple until 2021, after which the event was moved to Los Angeles and later to Winston‑Salem’s Bowman Gray Stadium, before being postponed twice this year because of treacherous winter weather in North Carolina.
While the race does not award championship points, its placement before the Daytona 500 underscores its role as a strategic platform for teams to test setups and for drivers to build momentum ahead of the sport’s most prestigious race.
NASCAR officials say the return to the iconic 2.5‑mile superspeedway reflects a commitment to grassroots competition, aiming to give up‑and‑coming drivers a high‑visibility stage within the national series schedule.