NASCAR’s Busch Clash at the Coliseum certainly met the high expectations that were put on its shoulders. The exhibition race was targeted towards achieving many goals, big and small. But no target was bigger than finding a new target audience, in which the Clash succeeded. This is evident from Dale Earnhardt Jr’s recent revelation.
The Hall of Famer posted a tweet in which he wrote, “A buddy just text me: “Kids recognize the track from Cars.”
A buddy just text me: “Kids recognize the track from Cars”
— Dale Earnhardt Jr. (@DaleJr) February 6, 2022
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Interestingly, this is more or less the same thing NASCAR on NBC posted on their Facebook page. An aerial photo of the LA Memorial Coliseum alongside the speedway from the Pixar movie.
“Wow, they really took the Motor Speedway of the South from ‘Cars’ and turned it into a real life track.”
This is something some fans also noticed as they reacted to Dale Jr’s tweet.
Fans react to the NASCAR race at Motor Speedway of the South
Shows how far the sport has come, Lightning McQueen used to fill that place, now where is the crowd?
— Marko Kupilainen (@Kupilainen) February 6, 2022
I was 9 when Cars came out. I don’t know how to describe the feeling of somewhat nostalgia seeing them race at The Coliseum, however NASCAR made a good decision. If kids recognize the track from Cars, it’s gonna draw in new fans who (hopefully) stick around for years to come.
— BTGlock (@Truckie4Lyfe) February 6, 2022
He is not wrong it was at the end of the film I believe nascar has had this in mind since cars was released been years in the making
— Joseph Herring (@JosephH89284755) February 6, 2022
Enjoying this more than I thought i would. I think the fan base will increase tremendously after this race. Great for the sport. Go 19
— Lee Duffey (@Lee19fan) February 6, 2022
I feel like those movies have been NASCARs blue print for the last 10 years. Heck the Next Gen even looks like McQueen. I’m ok with this 😂.
— Eddie Wagner (@eddiewags14) February 7, 2022
Dale Earnhardt Jr put in some laps at the ‘Cars-like’ track as well
In leading up to the Busch Clash, the JR Motorsport owner was spotted driving the No.48 Hendrick alongside Chase Elliott, Bubba Wallace, and Ryan Blaney on the new asphalt track at the football stadium.
But it was simply because he was shooting for a commercial, something he had “some fun” filming.
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“Not lost on me was being one of the first drivers to hit the new LA Coliseum surface. It’s slick. Gonna be a brawl Sunday. Appreciate @Alex_Bowman loaning me his ride,” Earnhardt had tweeted.
via Getty
AVONDALE, AZ – JANUARY 31: Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. addresses the media during NASCAR testing at Phoenix International Raceway on January 31, 2017 in Avondale, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images)
Regardless of Dale Jr or not, the Clash at the Coliseum was reportedly attended by around sixty thousand fans. But that’s not the most impressive bit. It is that 70% of those who bought a ticket for the event had never been to a NASCAR race before, or in other words, they were new fans.
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This is exactly what NASCAR wanted to do with the Clash, and the fact that they pulled it off is nothing short of commendable.
Also Read: Dale Earnhardt Jr’s Pick for Favorite Sports Celebration of All-Time Will Please NASCAR Fans
