NASCAR Reveals How Its Mexico Series Drivers Will Qualify For the Clash At The Coliseum – Will Daniel Suarez Join Them?

By Gary Gastelu |

Sep 22, 2023

(NASCAR)

Next year’s NASCAR Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum in Los Angeles will feature a preliminary event showcasing drivers from the NASCAR Mexico Series.

The Mexico Series competes on ovals and road courses across three tiers – much like NASCAR’s U.S. efforts – with the Challenge Series and Truck Series providing support for the main championship.

The exact format for the Clash race hasn’t been announced, but NASCAR has reveled how drivers will qualify for it.

The top 10 drivers in the season standings following this weekend’s race at El Dorado speedway get in, along with the top six drivers from the Challenge series.

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The two most recent champions who aren’t eligible under the criteria above also earn entries and another will be picked through a fan vote.

A final slot is being held for a guest driver who has yet to be announced, which opens up an interesting possibility.

The rules don’t say they have to be currently competing in the Mexico Series, which is where Trackhouse Racing’s Daniel Suarez raced before coming to NASCAR and becoming the first Mexican-born driver to win a Cup Series race.

When asked by American Cars And Racing if his entry was under consideration, a team spokesman replied: “TBD (smile).”

Suarez missed the 2023 NASCAR Playoffs, but his Trackhouse Racing teammate Ross Chastain qualified for the Round of 12 that kicks off at Texas Motor Speedway on Sunday, Sept. 24.

The Clash at the Coliseum will take place on a temporary quarter-mile track built inside the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum the weekend of February 4.