Justin Marks Takes a Slightly Controversial Take on the Clash After Daniel Suarez Didn’t Make the Cut

The 2024 NASCAR Cup Series season got off to a shaky start. With the uncertainty of the race at the Coliseum, NASCAR decided to reschedule the event and get it done a day ahead. Just a fraction of fans were able to witness Denny Hamlin crowned the winner of the exhibition event. And the sudden changes have now sparked discussions about a change in venue for the next season’s opener.

While there were a number of suggestions and opinions making rounds on the internet, it was Justin Marks’ uncanny take on the team’s participation and entry for the main event that stood out. Taking to social media, Marks poured his thoughts and ideas on how the event could roll out in its next iteration. However, in doing so, he also called out NASCAR’s current qualification structure for the Busch Light Clash with a hidden agenda of his own.

“All entries start the main” – Justin Marks making his opinion heard after the Coliseum event

No team owner likes to see their driver miss out on a major event like the Busch Light Clash, especially at the start of the season. Unfortunately for Marks and his No.99 Daniel Suarez, they were handed a bitter end of the stick after failing to qualify for the main event. With just 23 spots on the grid, all the drivers have to go through the heats and qualifying stages. And by the looks of it, Justin Marks is not a fan of this process.

He even went on the suggest that all entries should make the main event, but then again, would it be a level playing field? Sharing his two cents on the raging topic, Marks wrote this on his X account, “We use it to showcase the grassroots of our sport. Salem, New Smyrna, Wall Stadium, Nashville, Winchester, etc. Climate depending, invest in the track’s infrastructure, galvanize the sport’s foundation. Heck of a show. All entries start the main. But produce it at a level that makes it a true promotional event for the TV viewers.”

The 42-year-old sure felt hard done by and dejected after one of his drivers could not make the event at the Coliseum. However, to suggest a free entry for all the teams at the event could spoilt the fun of the pre-event hype. Moreover, it wasn’t just Suarez who missed the main event. The likes of Christopher Bell, Chris Buescher, Austin Dillion, Erik Jones and Austin Cindric were also unable to make the cut.

Watch This Story – Daniel Suarez Claims Victory In NASCAR’s Mexico Series At LA Coliseum 

While Marks proposing major changes, Denny Hamlin was quite content with the current criteria for an All-Star event.

Denny Hamlin is not a fan of all-inclusive exhibition event idea aired by Marks

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At a time when Justin Marks suggested a wider participation pool for the Cup team, Hamlin has his own rebuttal for the argument. During the latest episode of his podcast ‘Actions Detrimental’, the JGR’s No.11 shared, “The race pays a quarter of what other races do. That’s why you’re gonna hear teams say, ‘Man, we just spent all this money coming out here, putting on a show for you guys, and we’re not even allowed to race? I am of the opinion though that less is more.”

He also went on to explain the prestige of an “All-Star” race stating, “All-Star races should be for all-stars. I mean, the playoffs should be for the best. If you just keep inviting everyone, then it’s not that prestigious anymore, right? So I am definitely a fan of ‘less is more’. I thought it cleaned up the race quite a bit, having fewer cars on it.”

Contrasting ideas and clash of opinion means interesting on-track rivalries for fans to witness. And we could well rivalries kick-off in action during the Daytona 500 clash on Feb 18.

Read More: Despite an Underwhelming Crowd, the Clash at the Coliseum Fulfilled Its Purpose