NASCAR
Starting Grid for Busch Light Clash Decided by Heat Races, Last Chance Qualifiers
LOS ANGELES, Calif. – A field of 36 drivers has been narrowed down to 27 starters for the 2023 Busch Light Clash. Four 25-lap Heat races and two 50-lap Last Chance Qualifiers from the L.A. Memorial Coliseum determined who made the main show and who was left on the sidelines. See a rundown of each Heat and LCQ race below, ahead of tonight’s main event.
Heat 1 went to Aric Almirola, with the other four transfer drivers being Alex Bowman, Justin Haley, Noah Gragson, and Joey Logano. Almirola is the overall polesitter.
Martin Truex Jr. won Heat 2 over former teammate Kyle Busch, with Austin Dillon, Kyle Larson, and Kevin Harvick moving onward. Harvick narrowly edged Chase Elliott at the line for this final spot.
THE CLOSER DOING CLOSER THINGS! @KevinHarvick advances! đź‘Ź pic.twitter.com/aTvuYatDQ5
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) February 5, 2023
A brutal Heat 3 went in favor of Denny Hamlin ahead of Chase Briscoe. Rounding out that top-five were Tyler Reddick, Ryan Blaney, and Daniel Suarez. Despite starting last, Blaney was able to rally to a transfer position.
William Byron led wire-to-wire in Heat 4, winning over Bubba Wallace. Also getting in from this Heat were Ross Chastain, Ryan Preece, and Erik Jones.
Another every-lap-led run was put on in Last Chance Qualifier race one by Michael McDowell. Along with the 34, Christopher Bell and Todd Gilliland made the cut.
Chase Elliott also led every lap of the final LCQ race, but narrowly won it over rookie Ty Gibbs. AJ Allmendinger also made the big show, as did points provisional driver Austin Cindric.
The 2023 Busch Light Clash will go green shortly after 8:00 p.m. ET on FOX, MRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.
Written by Peter Stratta
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Photo Credit to James Gilbert/Getty Images for NASCAR
