Will the NASCAR Busch Light Clash At The Coliseum Get Rained Out?

By Gary Gastelu |

Feb 3, 2024

(NASCAR)

NASCAR may need to rename the Busch Light Clash the Busch Light Splash.

The season kickoff exhibition event is being held for the third year in a row on a temporary track built inside of the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, but sunny Southern California isn’t living up to its reputation this time around.

The weather forecast shows a 40% chance of rain on Saturday during the practice and qualifying sessions and 99% on Sunday when the NASCAR Mexico Series and Cup Series races are scheduled.

Monday and Tuesday don’t look much better, but there is hope NASCAR will be able to get some laps in.

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NASCAR launched a wet weather package for short tracks last year and the Clash cars are equipped with defoggers and can run rain tires, but don’t have wipers or rain flaps behind the tires. That means they can run on a damp track, but not in the rain or if there’s significant spray being kicked up.

The pavement is designed with some drainage and NASCAR’s Air Titan track drying trucks are available, but a downpour will still wash it out. Fan safety is also a concern.

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One thing that might not happen even if a wet race is held is the debut of NASCAR’s prototype electric race car, which was expected to be demonstrated on Sunday.

It’s likely even a damp track would lead NASCAR to reschedule that. Its next events are coming up in Florida during the week of the Daytona 500 on February 18.

Here’s the official schedule for the Busch Light Clash weekend with pacific times shown:

Saturday

10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.: NASCAR Mexico Series practice and qualifying

3 pm. to 5 p.m.: NASCAR Cup Series practice

5:30 p.m. to 6:15 p.m.: NASCAR Cup Series heat races