NASCAR Official Lets Slip Clash at the Coliseum’s ‘New Location’ Narrative After Severe Backlash on Controversial LA Move

Kicking off NASCAR’s season with a race on the temporary track inside the heart of the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum was a daring move. Like many who flock to Tinseltown with dreams of making it big, NASCAR rolled into L.A. aiming to leave its mark by probably carving out a short track in the iconic stadium. After two trial runs, the Clash at the Coliseum has proven to be a hit, showing that NASCAR can pull off this spectacle without a hitch. But now, there seem to be a few problems arising.

The National Weather Service has forecasted rain in L.A. starting Saturday night, threatening to rain on NASCAR’s parade for several days. The soggy predicament has the powers that be pondering whether kicking things off in Los Angeles was such a hot idea after all and whether it’s worth revisiting next year remains up in the air. The future, it seems, is still a bit murky.

Is the return to the iconic Coliseum stadium highly unlikely?

To sum up the answer in a line- if the thrill of the Coliseum has lost its sparkle, the Clash might just pack its bags for 2025. Despite an initial hiccup with spectator access for Saturday’s heats, NASCAR flipped the script following a fan uproar. Yet, as per sportsbusinessjournal.com, if the weather decides to play spoilsport, dampening the crowd’s spirits, NASCAR might set its sights on fresh horizons next year. O’Donnell mentioned that the future of the Clash at the Coliseum is still up in the air, with other cities already throwing their hats in the ring to host the event.

After a long stint at Daytona International Speedway, NASCAR ventured into uncharted territory in 2022, setting up shop in the Coliseum as part of its strategy to rev up interest in the sport. Rumors have been going on, with industry insiders hinting [The Athletic] that a return to LA next year seems iffy, with Mexico City being tossed around as a potential contender.

When quizzed about the possibility of heading to Mexico City, O’Donnell hinted at broader horizons, mentioning ongoing discussions not just in Mexico but also in Canada, and then there’s the bevy of US locations eager to roll out the red carpet for the Clash. “I wouldn’t want to put it at just Mexico as a possibility. There’s a lot of tracks in the U.S. that also would love to have the Clash, and even more so a lot outside the U.S., so more to come on that. We remain bullish on what’s going to take place this weekend and we’ll evaluate the future afterward.” 

So, if not the City of Angels, Mexico, or Canada, where might NASCAR drop anchor for its next Clash?

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If NASCAR decides to give L.A. a miss, they’ve got a few intriguing options on the table.

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First up, why not make a grand return to Daytona? It’d be like turning back the clock, reigniting the excitement many fans associate with their NASCAR upbringing. Daytona’s superspeedway has always had a certain allure for the casual fan. But with NASCAR trimming down practice time ahead of the Daytona 500, giving top teams an extra 70 laps on the track might not sit well with everyone. Maybe a slight change in the format could be the magic wand here.

Then there’s Rockingham Speedway, a potential wildcard. The catch? It might not exactly set casual fans’ hearts racing. Plus, hosting a race there in February comes with its own set of challenges—chilly weather and the risk of rain could dampen spirits, making it a less-than-ideal choice.

Read More: NASCAR News: 2024 Clash at the Coliseum Schedule Released

California Speedway is another contender. It’s been a staple for Cup Series races from 1997 up until recently and is currently taking a breather. There were talks of transforming it into a short track, but as of now, the construction hats are off. Ben Kennedy mentioned that the future of the Clash at the Coliseum doesn’t hinge on what happens with California Speedway, hinting that the market could handle two big races annually.

Kennedy didn’t dismiss the possibility of NASCAR finding its way out of the Los Angeles scene altogether. “If we had our druthers, we would have a race in Southern California every year.”