NASCAR Debates Future of Cup Series Clash Exhibition

Insiders disagree on whether the event should return to Daytona or continue rotating to new venues

Published on Feb. 7, 2026

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NASCAR is evaluating the long-term future of the Cup Series Clash exhibition race, with two of the sport's most plugged-in voices offering competing visions. Jordan Bianchi argues the Clash should return to Daytona International Speedway with a shorter, simpler format, while Jeff Gluck believes the event should continue rotating to new venues like the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum to promote the sport in unique ways. The debate underscores NASCAR's challenge in balancing tradition, innovation, and fan interest for the Clash.

Why it matters

The Clash is an important early-season exhibition race for NASCAR, serving as a kickoff to the new season. How NASCAR approaches the future of the event will impact the sport's ability to generate excitement and interest leading into the Daytona 500 and the rest of the Cup Series schedule.

The details

Bianchi believes the Clash should return to Daytona with a 20-lap, pole-sitters-only format similar to the old Busch Clash, arguing this would reduce costs and chaos while providing weather certainty. Gluck, however, pushes back, saying the Daytona Clash had run its course and that moving the event to venues like the LA Coliseum unlocked its true potential as NASCAR's version of a Stadium Series. Gluck suggests NASCAR should either make the Clash a points race or do something "totally wild and unique" to generate buzz.

  • The Clash has traditionally been held at Daytona International Speedway.
  • In recent years, NASCAR has moved the Clash to the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and then Bowman Gray Stadium.

The players

Jordan Bianchi

A plugged-in voice in the NASCAR industry who believes the Clash should return to Daytona with a shorter, simpler format.

Jeff Gluck

Another prominent NASCAR insider who argues the Clash should continue rotating to new venues like the LA Coliseum to promote the sport in unique ways.

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What they’re saying

“I loved the 20-lap pole-sitters-only race. It was an hour-long deal. You'd flip it on, the race was over, and it was like, 'Oh man, these guys are back.'”

— Jordan Bianchi (The Teardown podcast)

“When they moved it to LA, I thought, 'Now I see what this event could be.' That felt like NASCAR's version of a Stadium Series.”

— Jeff Gluck (The Teardown podcast)

What’s next

NASCAR will continue evaluating the long-term future of the Clash exhibition race, with potential options including returning to Daytona, continuing to rotate the event to new venues, or making more radical changes to the format.

The takeaway

The debate over the Clash's future highlights NASCAR's challenge in balancing tradition, innovation, and fan interest for its early-season exhibition race. Whatever path NASCAR chooses, the identity and purpose of the Clash event is still very much being determined.