NASCAR has made a bold change in their 2022 NASCAR Clash venue by changing it to LA Memorial Coliseum.
It will be the first time the exhibition race, scheduled for February 6, 2022, will not be held at Daytona International Speedway since its inception in 1979.
History meets possibility.
See you in 2022, Los Angeles. pic.twitter.com/SAKJ5kiMqM
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) September 14, 2021
“Los Angeles is synonymous with major sports and entertainment events, so we seized an innovative opportunity to showcase NASCAR at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum,” said Ben Kennedy, NASCAR senior vice president of strategy and innovation. “We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to take center stage in this market as we get our 2022 season underway.”
Not only is a change in venue taking place, but the event will also make the debut of the Next Gen car. There were some rumors that the current cars would be used in the Clash but Kennedy confirmed that Next Gen cars will be introduced in the race.
“I think part of the reasoning is going into next season, a Next Gen facility with the Next Gen schedule and really a fresh look and perspective on what the year is going to be and look like,” Kennedy said.
“We felt like it was important to also introduce the Next Gen car as a part of that, and obviously have been working with our teams in getting their feedback and perspective on what that might look like for them. Ultimately landed on the Next Gen car going to the LA Coliseum.”
A temporary quarter-mile asphalt short track inside the ground that is home to USC Trojans football team. The event is set to take place one week before the NFL’s Super Bowl, and two weeks before the season-opening Daytona 500.