NASCAR Exec Claims 2026 Clash will “Likely” be in the United States

WINSTON SALEM, NORTH CAROLINA - FEBRUARY 02: A general view of racing during the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium on February 02, 2025 in Winston Salem, North Carolina. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)

What’s Happening?

In a press conference on Tuesday, Ben Kennedy, NASCAR Executive Vice President and Chief Venue & Racing Innovations Officer, finally addressed the rumor that NASCAR could host the Clash outside the United States.

  • Kennedy, who plays a significant role in deciding the NASCAR schedule, told Dustin Long of NBC Sports during this press conference that the non-points-paying event will “more than likely” be in the U.S. This all but confirms that NASCAR will not take the race to interested international markets next season.
  • The news of international interest in hosting the Clash initially circulated on Aug. 2. Reportedly, Brazil was the country interested in hosting the Clash in 2026. This tune carried into the Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium in early February.
  • However, on Feb. 24, Adam Stern of Sports Business Journal reported that BGS was the leading candidate to host the Clash in 2026. Furthermore, Stern claimed that NASCAR “may elect to hold an invitational exhibition overseas due to the exorbitant costs involved.”
  • NASCAR traditionally held the Clash at Daytona International Speedway from 1979 to 2021. However, after a decline in fan interest and poor racing, the sport moved to the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in 2022. Following the end of that contract with the LA Coliseum, NASCAR moved the race to BGS.

What do you think about this? Let us know your opinion on Discord or X. Don’t forget that you can also follow us on InstagramFacebook, and YouTube.

Share this: