What’s Happening?
The annual NASCAR pre-season clash will officially return to Daytona International Speedway in 2027, with NASCAR announcing on Tuesday that the race will take place on February 13, the Saturday before the Daytona 500.
Back at its original home. Back on Saturday night.
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) August 4, 2026
The Wheatley Vodka Clash returns to @DAYTONA in 2027. pic.twitter.com/fSbQm462Hl
This marks the return of the clash to its traditional home at Daytona after rotating venues for the past five seasons. Furthermore, this will be the first time that NASCAR has hosted the race on the track’s oval layout since 2020.
While the Clash was considered a success at its other two hosts, the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and Bowman Gray Stadium, fans raised many concerns over the past few seasons about the impact of leaving Daytona on the legacy of the race itself.
Alongside those concerns, fans also questioned the decision to keep the race in a cold-weather market during February, with this year’s clash being delayed several days and sleet falling during the eventual running of the race.
Another factor that is in play is the future of NASCAR’s Next Gen Car’s superspeedway package. Since the car’s 2022 introduction, passing at superspeedways has been a nearly impossible task.
While NASCAR plans to hold pre-season testing, something that is reportedly still not fully confirmed, the Clash could serve as a test of a new package ahead of the 2027 season (in the event that NASCAR’s recent superspeedway changes do not deliver the desired results).
All Confirmed Dates on the 2027 NASCAR Schedule (So Far)
What’s Happening? Throughout 2026, NASCAR will announce dates for its 2027 schedule. Though the sport drops the full schedule in bulk,…
What About Bowman Gray?
For the past two seasons, Bowman Gray Stadium, a .250-mile oval in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, has hosted the Clash. Now, the future of Bowman Gray on the NASCAR National Series schedule is up in the air.
Last year, rumors circulated that the track, which is owned by the city and operated by NASCAR, was nearing a deal to bring one National Series race per season to its confines.
While another NASCAR National Series could theoretically host a race weekend at the track, NASCAR has yet to announce the schedule for any of the three NASCAR National Series.
Every 2027 NASCAR Schedule Rumor (So Far)
What’s Happening? Throughout 2026, rumors about the coming NASCAR season’s schedule will hit the internet. While this can get a bit…
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