NASCAR
Active NASCAR Cup Drivers Who Have Won the Busch Light Clash
The countdown is on for the 2023 Busch Light Clash. The exhibition race that opens every NASCAR season, the Clash has gone through many forms recently. For the second year in a row, the Clash will be run on a temporary 1/4-mile bullring built inside the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. This follows 2021’s edition on the Daytona Road Course, and previous events on the Daytona oval. With 27 drivers making the main event through heat races and last-chance qualifiers, who has conquered the Clash? Only six active drivers have won the Busch Light Clash before. This includes the race being ran at the Coliseum and either Daytona layout. Here’s a look back at these six drivers, and their chances at claiming another Clash win.
Denny Hamlin
A three-time Clash winner, Denny Hamlin took victory on Daytona’s high banks in 2006, 2014, and 2016. Earning his maiden win amidst his first Cup season, Hamlin became the only rookie winner so far in Busch Clash history. Hamlin’s two other triumphs were also near-historic feats, in an unprecedented bid for the Speedweeks sweep. 2014 saw the 11 win the Clash and his Duel race, but came up short in the 500, finishing second. 2016 saw Hamlin win his most recent Clash, and also go on to take his first of three Daytona 500 victories. Hamlin is the most recent Clash winner to back it up with a Harley J. Earl Trophy.
At the Coliseum Clash a season ago, Hamlin had to fall back on the LCQ race to make the main event. Only adding insult to injury, power steering issues ended the 11’s day early with a last-place result. In a four-way tie for second most all-time Clash wins, Hamlin is eyeing another chance for glory at the Coliseum.
Kevin Harvick
The other three-time Clash winner going for a fourth is the 4 of Kevin Harvick. Harvick’s Clash trifecta all came with Richard Childress Racing at Daytona, in 2009, 2010, and 2013. The first win in this event lived up to Harvick’s ‘The Closer’ nickname, as it was eerily reminiscent of his 2007 Daytona 500 win. Harvick made a last-lap pass over Jamie McMurray as the field wrecked behind them.
Much like with Hamlin a year later, 2013 saw Harvick going for the Speedweeks sweep, winning the Clash and his Duel race. With a best Clash finish of fifth since joining Stewart-Haas Racing, Harvick hopes to better last year’s 10th-place effort. Making his final appearance in the Busch Light Clash, Harvick will try and go out on top.
Kyle Busch
The winner of two of the most entertaining Clash finishes in recent memory, Kyle Busch is the only driver to have won on both Daytona layouts. Busch’s first Clash victory came in 2012, a race that saw the 18 sideways multiple times and just edge Tony Stewart at the line. 2021’s Clash was gifted to Busch, as leaders Ryan Blaney and Chase Elliott took each other out in the final chicane.
Busch was oh so close to a third Clash win last year at the Coliseum, but was passed with 35 laps left. Making his first appearance in the No. 8 Chevrolet, Busch aims to be one position better in 2023.
Joey Logano
The driver who took the inaugural Coliseum Clash win from Busch was Joey Logano. While the 22 only paced the final 35 laps a season ago, this was enough for a second Clash trophy. Logano’s first Clash win came on the Daytona oval in 2017, after then-teammate Brad Keselowski and Denny Hamlin tangled ahead of him.
2022’s Clash began an unbelievable week and season for Logano. Just days later, Logano welcomed his third child into the world. Nine months later, Logano celebrated big again as the 2022 Cup Series Champion. As the defending winner of the Clash and the Bill France Cup, a lot of eyes will be on Logano as he looks to tame the Coliseum again.
Brad Keselowski
Earning a second-straight Clash win for Roger Penske, Brad Keselowski took this victory in 2018. Much like the season prior, Keselowski had big help from teammate Joey Logano, who finished second. Now with RFK Racing though, Keselowski hopes to not repeat 2022’s failure to even make the main event.
Erik Jones
The last Clash winner on the Daytona oval, Erik Jones won the season-opener in 2020. A very chaotic and attrition-filled race ended with Jones’ beaten and battered Toyota making a three-wide last-lap pass for the win. Jones had a big push from his lapped teammate Denny Hamlin, in what would be his final victory for Joe Gibbs Racing.
From highlights to lowlights, Jones’ No. 43 was a part of tempers flaring in last year’s event. While racing Ryan Blaney for position, Jones fenced the 12, ending his day. Blaney would respond by throwing his HANS Device at the 43, showing great frustration. Now with a newly-branded Legacy Motor Club team, Jones hopes to find victory again.
With only six previous winners, the odds are high for a new Busch Light Clash champion. 150 laps around the L.A. Coliseum will separates one of 27 drivers from the season-opening victory. Don’t miss a lap of action, February 4-5 on FOX.
Written by Peter Stratta
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Photo Credit to Meg Oliphant/Getty Images for NASCAR
