Eligibility Criteria and List of NASCAR Drivers Eligible for the 2021 Busch Clash at Daytona

Every year since 1979, NASCAR drivers participate in an invitation-only race, called the Busch Clash at Daytona. NASCAR and the Daytona International Speedway laid down the eligibility criteria for the 2021 edition. It is worth noting that the drivers will race each other on the iconic Daytona Road Course.

The 2021 race is set to kick off on February 9th and will be the first time the race takes place on the road course. However, the track layout is not the same as the one used for the Rolex 24 At Daytona. Instead, there will be an additional chicane at the fourth turn.

Unfortunately, the ongoing pandemic forced NASCAR to tweak the pack for most of the 2020 season. Owing to these changes, the criteria for the driver to qualify for the Busch Clash has also changed drastically.

How can NASCAR drivers qualify for the Busch Clash?

First and foremost, any 2020 Busch Pole Award winners will be automatically eligible. Secondly, previous Busch Clash winners who have competed full-time in the current season will also make up the grid. Additionally, Daytona 500 champions and former Daytona 500 Busch Pole winners will be eligible. Finally, Playoff drivers, race winners, and stage winners are eligible to compete in the Busch Clash.

It is also noteworthy that the racers will compete on three-quarters of the tri-oval along with the road course. Suffice to say, Speedway President, Chip Wile was quite excited for the 2021 Busch Clash.

He said, “Having the Busch Clash at Daytona on Tuesday night also adds to the anticipation of an action-packed Speedweeks calendar. With the talent level in the field, the race will now clearly have its own look and feel during Daytona Speedweeks Presented By AdventHealth in 2021 and beyond.”

So far, 24 drivers are eligible to compete in the ’21 Busch Clash. They are, Aric Almirola, Ryan Blaney, Alex Bowman, Chris Buescher, Kurt Busch, Kyle Busch, William Byron, Cole Custer, Matt DiBenedetto, Austin, and Ty Dillon, Chase Elliott, Denny Hamlin, Kevin Harvick, Erik Jones, Brad Keselowski, Joey Logano, Ryan Newman, Tyler Reddick, Ricky Stenhouse, Jr and Martin Truex, Jr.

It is also worth noting that Clint Bowyer, Matt Kenseth, and Jimmie Johnson are in the list as well. This is in spite of the fact that the three are effectively retired from racing.

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