The Cup Series season will start soon, and NASCAR fans have started gearing up for the season opener in LA. However, recent news related to the second edition of the Clash at the Coliseum has caused quite a stir among the fans.
The Coliseum is well known for hosting various high-profile sporting events such as the Olympics, Super Bowls, and the World Series. NASCAR’s exhibition race, which is a pre-event to the Daytona 500, moved to the Coliseum in 2022. Although it is a zero-point race, the event still carries a lot of value as it marks the beginning of the season.
The move from Daytona Speedway to the Coliseum last year garnered mixed reviews from fans. They also witnessed the debut of NASCAR’s Next Gen car at the event. However, it ended up being more of a gimmick—with all its glitz and glamor—than a closely contested racing competition.
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Jeff Gluck, a motorsports enthusiast, took to Twitter to update the fans about some recent additions made to this year’s Clash. He wrote, “NASCAR will have a podium with medals for the top three finishers at the Clash next month. Fitting, considering the Coliseum has hosted two Olympics and has a third coming up. Even better if P1 moves P2 to win and they have to stand there together.”
NASCAR will have a podium (!) with medals (!) for the top three finishers at the Clash next month. Fitting, considering the Coliseum has hosted two Olympics and has a third coming up.
Even better if P1 moves P2 to win and they have to stand there together. 😬
— Jeff Gluck (@jeff_gluck) January 17, 2023
NASCAR fans have mixed feelings about the podium
NASCAR fans had mixed set of reactions to the news. The Coliseum has hosted the Olympics twice and will become the first three-time host in 2028. Fans were quick to notice the difference between the attributes of an Olympic event and a NASCAR race. It is believed that keeping the Olympics in mind, the top three drivers from the race would stand on a podium and receive medals per the new award format.
Check out the interesting mix of fan reactions.
ABOUT TIME !!!!!! only took 70 years !!!!!
— esciteach (@esciteach) January 17, 2023
Lame! One thing i don’t ever want to see is podium style. There is a winner and there is the rest of them. Not motocross or other series. We are nascar if ain’t first you are last
— robb (@archerrobb) January 17, 2023
Why are people hating on this for no reason? I think this is pretty creative for the clash considering it’s at the coliseum
— Jacob (@Jacobs4858) January 17, 2023
Please oh please. pic.twitter.com/5sbk4gDdNo
— cary boebel (@BoebelCary) January 17, 2023
So excited for participation trophies! LFG! #NASCAR
— Scott (@TheGreyGhost88) January 17, 2023
It’s fine for this one race. If NASCAR adopts podiums permanently it’ll diminish the importance of top 5 and top 10 stats
— Scott (@skendall25) January 17, 2023
Imagine if Ross won it and Denny and Chase got 2nd or 3rd 🤭
— Trish (@P_A_Mack) January 18, 2023
Personally I think if they stick with the front stretch interviews that 1-2-3 should line up on the front stretch.
— Ted Rekich (@tedrekich) January 18, 2023
Make this permanent for all races
— Surely you can’t be serious (@brandonsblog) January 17, 2023
That race is just one big gimmick. Take the money they waste on making it a "racetrack" and you could improve a different short track around the country each year. I bet there racing and story lines would be better, too.
— Indycarfan (@Indycarfan6) January 19, 2023
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Fans had interesting theories regarding the podium. Some found it interesting to have gold, silver, and bronze medals like in the Olympics. While some felt that it would put some drivers in an awkward position. Another user wondered how it would be if Ross Chastain won and Denny Hamlin and Chase Elliott followed him.
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Only time can tell if the Clash at the Coliseum is a success or not. Fans, meanwhile, will be hoping that the race is exciting and they get to witness their favorites.
