And we’re off to an exhilarating start to the 2024 Cup Series marathon in Los Angeles as NASCAR moves the pre-season non-points race up a day because of the rains threatening the action. With the crowds back to the arena despite the imminent showers, the quarter-mile race had all the bells and whistles for a runaway hit, including decisive cautions, one of which sent the Xfinity sensation and Cup Series newcomer John Hunter Nemechek for a quick spin.
Corey LaJoie spun the 26-year-old driver one lap before the halfway mark of the 150-lap fixture, thus bringing out Busch Light Clash of the Coliseum’s second caution.
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Corey LaJoie upped the ante as he sent JHN for a quick spin
Starting off the exciting race from the front was Denny Hamlin, who secured the first pole of the season with an exceptional qualifying time, closely followed by Joey Logano. While some Cup Series regulars like Christopher Bell met their match during qualifying, not making it past it, Cup Series returnee and Xfinity Series sensation JHN was in for the night, eyeing a great start to his 2024 campaign.
John Hunter Nemechek gets spun on the outside of Corey LaJoie. That looks like it might be right at the halfway break too.
— Jeff Gluck (@jeff_gluck) February 4, 2024
However, just as the race neared its halfway mark (74th lap), trouble found the youngster when he spun around from the 19th spot after coming into contact with Corey Lajoie. This, in turn, brought up the decisive second caution of the race.
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“Ain’t no friends up here,” said 23XI Racing driver, Bubba Wallace after he was sent for a spin just after the midway mark on Saturday’s race. Exactly two laps after the 75th lap, Wallace and his teammate, Tyler Reddick, came in contact, sending the #23 driver for a quick spin, bringing four cars to a standstill as the #23 Toyota blocked off others’ paths. Coming hot into the corner, Alex Bowman seemingly nudged the #45 Toyota in front of him, causing Reddick to overshoot and bang at the left rear of Wallace’s car.
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The second half of the race is underway, but we are quickly back under yellow as the No. 23 goes around.
Tune in to FS1 for the conclusion of the #BuschLightClash! pic.twitter.com/ZkznIWLz7Y
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) February 4, 2024
The four-car stack-up even earned the commentary team’s calling as veteran commentator, Mike Joy said, “Got a shot from his teammate,” when he saw the brief contact during replay. In fact, Wallace was solidly inside the top 10 of the running order in Saturday night’s Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum until he went for an aggressive spin after contact from his teammate.
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After the contact, Wallace finished the race 12th whereas his teammate Reddick came in two cars behind the #23 at 14th.
READ MORE: NASCAR Update: Clash at the Coliseum Moved Up to Tonight to Beat Massive Rainstorm