Statistical Advance: Analyzing the Busch Light Clash at The Coliseum

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DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (January 30, 2023) – Below is a statistical look at this weekend’s exhibition event the Busch Light Clash at The Coliseum at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, California on February 5, 2023. This year marks just the second-time in NASCAR Cup Series history the traditional exhibition-style event will tackle the newly built 0.25-mile L.A. Memorial Coliseum track. The event will be broadcast live on FOX, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio at 8 p.m. ET.

In 2023, the field was open to 40 entrants to participate in the Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum. Select this link for the latest Preliminary Entry List.

Format Rundown: How to make the Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum:

·       The 36 drivers entered will first have to qualify to determine the starting order for the four scheduled Heat races.

·       Of the cars entered, only 27 will earn a spot in the Main Event; the drivers will have three possible ways to do that.

·       The first 26 positions in the starting lineup of the Main event will be set by drivers that have raced their way in through either the four Heat Races or the two Last Chance Qualifier Races.

·       The 27th and final position is reserved for the driver who finished the highest in the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series season points standings who did not transfer on finishing position in the Heat Races or Last Chance Qualifier Races.

·       Select this link to download the 2023 Race Format Graphic that is below 

The Clash – All-Time Winners
No. of WinsWinnersSeasons     
6Dale Earnhardt198019861988199119931995
3Dale Jarrett199620002004   
3Tony Stewart200120022007   
3Kevin Harvick200920102013   
3Denny Hamlin200620142016   
2Neil Bonnett19831984    
2Ken Schrader19891990    
2Jeff Gordon19941997    
2Dale Earnhardt Jr.20032008    
2Jimmie Johnson20052019    
2Kyle Busch20122021    
2Joey Logano20172022    
1Buddy Baker1979     
1Darrell Waltrip1981     
1Bobby Allison1982     
1Terry Labonte1985     
1Bill Elliott1987     
1Geoffrey Bodine1992     
1Rusty Wallace1998     
1Mark Martin1999     
1Kurt Busch2011     
1Matt Kenseth2015     
1Brad Keselowski2018     
1Erik Jones2020     
        
** Total Number of Clash winners is 24      

The Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum Stats & Tidbits

HISTORY

·       The first Busch Light Clash was held on February 11, 1979 at Daytona International Speedway, and the event was won by NASCAR Hall of Famer Buddy Baker (average speed: 194.384 mph).

·       This weekend’s event will be the 45th running of the Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum and this season’s event will be the second held at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum (2022-2023).

·       The L.A. Memorial Coliseum is the third different venue to host the annual non-points exhibition event joining Daytona International Speedway (1979 – 2020) and the Daytona International Speedway Road Course (2021).   

·       The number of participants in The Clash exhibition event has ranged from as low as seven drivers in 1981 to as high as 28 in 2009.

·       This season 36 drivers are currently entered, but just 27 competitors will compete in the Main event of the Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum.

·       The format for the Busch Light Clash has changed 17 times since its inception in the NASCAR Cup Series in 1979.

·       The 2022 season marked the first time the exhibition event had a format that included Heat Races and Last Chance Qualifier Races.

STARTS

·       In total, 129 different NASCAR Cup Series drivers have competed in the Busch Light Clash; 93 of the 129 drivers (72%) have participated in more than one.

·       NASCAR Hall of Famer Mark Martin leads the NASCAR Cup Series in Busch Light Clash appearances at 24.

·       The top 10 drivers (all-time) with the most Busch Light Clash appearances:

RankAll-Time DriversBusch Light Clash Starts
1Mark Martin24
2Bill Elliott23
3Jeff Gordon22
4Ken Schrader19
5Rusty Wallace19
6Jimmie Johnson18
7Kurt Busch18
8Terry Labonte18
9Kevin Harvick18
10Ryan Newman17
 Denny Hamlin17

·       The top 10 (active) drivers with the most Busch Light Clash appearances:

RankActive DriversBusch Light Clash Starts
1Kevin Harvick18
2Denny Hamlin17
3Kyle Busch16
4Joey Logano14
5Martin Truex Jr11
6Brad Keselowski9
7Austin Dillon8
8Kyle Larson7
9Aric Almirola6
10Chase Elliott6
 Ricky Stenhouse Jr6

STARTS

·       NASCAR Hall of Famer Jeff Gordon has appeared in the most consecutive Busch Light Clash races, competing in 22 consecutive events from 1994-2015.

·       Denny Hamlin leads all active drivers in consecutive Busch Light Clash starts with 17 (2006 – 2022).   

The Starting Positions for the 2022 Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum (Last Season)

PosCarDriver PosCarDriver
118Kyle Busch 1312Ryan Blaney
28Tyler Reddick 1441Cole Custer
331Justin Haley 159Chase Elliott
422Joey Logano 1643Erik Jones
599Daniel Suarez 1711Denny Hamlin
614Chase Briscoe 1815Ryan Preece
724William Byron 194Kevin Harvick
85Kyle Larson 2023Bubba Wallace
947Ricky Stenhouse Jr. 2116AJ Allmendinger(i)
103Austin Dillon 2221Harrison Burton #
1120Christopher Bell 2319Martin Truex Jr.
1234Michael McDowell    

WINS

·       A total of 24 different NASCAR Cup Series drivers have won the Busch Light Clash.

·       NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt leads the NASCAR Cup Series in Busch Light Clash wins with six victories (1980, 1986, 1988, 1991, 1993, 1995).

·      Denny Hamlin (three: 2006, 2014, 2016) and Kevin Harvick (three: 2009, 2010, 2013) lead all active drivers in the Busch Light Clash wins with three each.

·       There have been 12 drivers with multiple wins in the Busch Light Clash exhibition event:

o   Dale Earnhardt won six events, most all-time (1980, 1986, 1988, 1991, 1993, 1995).

o   Dale Jarrett won in 1996, 2000 and 2004.

o   Kevin Harvick won in 2009, 2010 and 2013.

o   Tony Stewart won in 2001, 2002 and 2007.

o   Denny Hamlin won in 2006, 2014 and 2016.

o   Other multiple winners: Neil Bonnett (1983-1984), Ken Schrader, (1989-1990), Jeff Gordon (1994, 1997), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (2003, 2008), Jimmie Johnson (2005, 2019), Kyle Busch (2012, 2021) and Joey Logano (2017, 2022).

·       Four drivers have won consecutive Busch Light Clash races (1979-2021) – Kevin Harvick (2009-10), Tony Stewart (2000-01), Ken Schrader (1990-91), Neil Bonnett (1983-84).

·       No driver has won three consecutive Clash events.

·       Buddy Baker (1979), Dale Earnhardt (1980), Jeff Gordon (1994), Dale Jarrett (1996) and Denny Hamlin (2006) all won in the first Busch Light Clash in which they competed.

·       Only five times has the Busch Light Clash winner gone on to win the Daytona 500 pole: Buddy Baker (1979), Bill Elliott (1987), Ken Schrader (1989, 1990), Dale Jarrett (2000).

·       Six times in the 44-year history of the race has the Busch Light Clash winner gone on to win the Daytona 500: Bobby Allison (1982), Bill Elliott (1987), Dale Jarrett (1996 and 2000), Jeff Gordon (1997) and Denny Hamlin (2016).  

·       Two drivers have swept the Busch Light Clash, the Daytona 500 pole, and the Daytona 500 from 1979-2022: Dale Jarrett (2000) and Bill Elliott (1987)

·       One driver has swept the Busch Light Clash, the Daytona 500, and the Coke Zero Sugar 400 (Summer Daytona race) from 1979-2022: Bobby Allison (1982).

·       Five drivers have won the Busch Light Clash (1979-2022) and the NASCAR Cup Series championship in the same season. Dale Earnhardt is the only driver to have accomplished the feat multiple times (four; 1980, 1986, 1991, 1993); Darrell Waltrip (1981); Jeff Gordon (1997); Tony Stewart (2002); Joey Logano (2022).

·       There have been four Busch Light Clash winners from the pole: Darrell Waltrip (1981), Bill Elliott (1987), Ken Schrader (1989) and Denny Hamlin (2014).

·       Seven different manufactures have won a Busch Light Clash exhibition race, led by Chevrolet with 22 victories; followed by Ford (10), Toyota (six), Buick (two), Oldsmobile (two), Dodge (one) and Pontiac (one).

·       Ford is the most recent winner in the Busch Light Clash, with Joey Logano winning the event in his Team Penske Ford last season at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.  

Manufacturers Busch Light Clash Wins (All-Time)

ManufacturerVictoriesLast Victory – Driver
Chevrolet222019 – Jimmie Johnson
Ford102022 – Joey Logano
Toyota62021 – Kyle Busch
Buick21982 – Bobby Allison
Oldsmobile21980 – Dale Earnhardt
Dodge12011 – Kurt Busch
Pontiac12002 – Tony Stewart

·       Four of the previous 44 Busch Light Clash events (9.09%) have been won from the Pole or first starting position – Darrell Waltrip (1981), Bill Elliott (1987), Ken Schrader (1989), Denny Hamlin (2016).

·       The most proficient starting position in the field is the 15th starting position producing the most wins (six) of any of the starting positions on the grid.

·       Over 50% of the winners in the Busch Light Clash have started the event from outside the top-10.    

Wins By Busch Clash Starting Position

Starting Pos.WinsWin %Starting PosWinsWin %
149.09%1112.27%
249.09%1236.82%
3511.36%1336.82%
424.55%1424.55%
512.27%15613.64%
724.55%1624.55%
812.27%1749.09%
912.27%1912.27%
1012.27%2712.27%
StatsTotal%
Wins From the Pole49.09%
Wins From Front Row818.18%
Wins From Top Five Start1636.36%
Wins From Top 10 Start2147.73%
Wins From Start Outside Top 102352.27%

·       A total of 15 different organizations have won the Busch Light Clash, led by Joe Gibbs Racing with 10 victories.

Top Five Organizations in Wins in the Busch Light Clash (All-Time)

RankOrganizationBusch Light Clash Wins
1Joe Gibbs Racing10
2Richard Childress Racing8
3Hendrick Motorsports7
4Team Penske5
5Yates Racing3

ADDITIONAL FINISHING POSITIONS

Runner-Up Finishes:

·       In total, 32 different drivers have finished runner-up in the Busch Light Clash exhibition events.

·       NASCAR Hall of Famers Dale Earnhardt Jr. (2002, 2004, 2006) and Darrell Waltrip (1979, 1983, 1985) lead the NASCAR Cup Series in runner-up finishes in the Busch Light Clash with three each.

·       Joey Logano (2016, 2018) and Kyle Busch (2017, 2022) lead all active drivers with two runner-up finishes in the Busch Light Clash each.

Top Five Finishes:

·       In total, 69 different drivers have finished inside the top-five in the Busch Light Clash exhibition race.

·       NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt leads the NASCAR Cup Series in top-five finishes in the Busch Light Clash with 11.

·       Joey Logano leads all active drivers with eight top-five finishes in the Busch Light Clash.

Top 10 Finishes:

·       In total, 97 different drivers have finished inside the top-10 in the Busch Light Clash exhibition race.

·       NASCAR Hall of Famer Mark Martin leads the NASCAR Cup Series in top-10 finishes in the Busch Light Clash with 17.

·       Kevin Harvick and Joey Logano lead all active drivers with 11 top-10 finishes in the Busch Light Clash each.

Average Finishing Position:

·       NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt leads the NASCAR Cup Series in average finishing position in the Busch Light Clash exhibition races with a 2.75.

·       Ryan Blaney leads all active drivers with average finishing position in the Busch Light Clash with a 5.33.

Top 10 in Average Finishing Position in the Busch Clash (All-Time & Active)

RankAll-Time DriversAvg FinishRaces
1Dale Earnhardt2.75012
2Neil Bonnett3.0006
3Davey Allison3.4005
4Sterling Marlin4.3336
5Cale Yarborough5.1258
6Buddy Baker5.3336
7Darrell Waltrip5.50012
8Kenny Wallace5.5002
9Bobby Allison5.6676
10Tony Stewart5.68816

Must have made more than one Busch Light Clash start.

RankActive DriversAvg FinishRaces
1Alex Bowman7.5005
2Joey Logano7.50014
3Chase Elliott7.8336
4Austin Dillon8.0008
5Erik Jones8.2005
6William Byron8.3333
7Kyle Larson8.7147
8Kyle Busch8.81316
9Ryan Blaney9.2005
10Kevin Harvick9.66718

Must have made more than one Busch Light Clash start.

LAP LEADERS

·       A total of 63 different NASCAR Cup Series drivers have led at least one lap in the Busch Light Clash (1979-2022).

·       Denny Hamlin leads the NASCAR Cup Series in laps led in the Busch Light Clash exhibition races with 175 laps led of his 1,114 laps completed (15.7%) in his 17 starts.

Top 15 in Laps Led in the Busch Light Clash (All-Time)

RankAll-Time Lap LeadersRacesLaps LedLaps Completed
1Denny Hamlin171751,114
2Dale Earnhardt Jr161491,073
3Brad Keselowski10131564
4Kyle Busch161311,110
5Tony Stewart161201,075
6Jeff Gordon221081,039
7Dale Earnhardt1298288
8Kevin Harvick18961,224
9Greg Biffle1069712
10Ken Schrader1963842
11Jamie McMurray1362840
12Paul Menard560265
13Joey Logano1459936
14Carl Edwards1055659
15Matt Kenseth1154761

Lap Leaders From Last Season’s Busch Light Clash (2022 L.A. Memorial Coliseum)

Rank Lap LeadersRacesLaps LedLaps Completed
1Kyle Busch164150
2Tyler Reddick15153
3Joey Logano135150

·       The most laps led in Busch Light Clash by the race winner was 47 of the scheduled 70 laps (67.1%) by Dale Earnhardt Jr. on February 9, 2008 – he started from the seventh position. 

·       The most laps led in the Busch Light Clash by a driver that did not win was 64 of the scheduled 150 laps (42.6%) by Kyle Busch on February 6, 2022 – he started first and finished runner-up.

·       The fewest laps led in the Busch Light Clash by the race winner was one lap led (the final lap) and it has happened nine different times: Kyle Busch (2021), Erik Jones (2020), Kevin Harvick (2009), Dale Jarrett (2004, 2000), Rusty Wallace (1998), Neil Bonnett (1984, 1983), Dale Earnhardt (1980).

·       The largest number of lead changes in a Busch Light Clash event is 28 lead changes from the February 12, 2011 race; the event was won by Kurt Busch.

·       The fewest number of lead changes in a Busch Light Clash event is two lead changes and it has occurred six times: 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1990.

·       Last season’s race at the L.A. Memorial Coliseum produced five lead changes among three leaders.

·       The most lap leaders in a Busch Light Clash event are 14 from the February 7, 2009 race; the event was won by Kevin Harvick.

·       The fewest lap leaders in a Busch Light Clash event are two and it has occurred nine times: 1979, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991.

By the Numbers: The Busch Light Clash

.013 – Closest Margin of Victory in seconds by Kyle Busch over Tony Stewart in 2012, the closest margin in the Clash at Daytona history

.058 – Second closest Margin of Victory in seconds by Kurt Busch over Jamie McMurray in 2011, the second-closest margin in the Clash at Daytona history

.080 – Third closest Margin of Victory in seconds by Dale Earnhardt over Sterling Marlin in 1995, the third-closest margin of victory in the Clash at Daytona history

.877 – The 23rd closest Margin of Victory (in seconds) all-time for the Busch Light Clash exhibition race, and the closest at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum by Joey Logano over Kyle Busch in 2022.

– Fewest laps led by a winner, one and it has occurred nine times – Rusty Wallace (1998), Neil Bonnett (1983-84), Dale Earnhardt (1980), Dale Jarrett (2000 and 2004), Kevin Harvick (2009) and Erik Jones (2020) – all at Daytona International Speedway – Kyle Busch (2021) at Daytona International Speedway Road Course.

2.75 – Best average finish in the Clash – Dale Earnhardt holds the best average finish of any driver with multiple starts.

– Number of different venues the Busch Light Clash event has been held – Daytona International Speedway, Daytona International Speedway Road Course, and the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

– Number of drivers to win the Busch Light Clash from the pole or first starting position – Darrell Waltrip (1981), Bill Elliott (1987), Ken Schrader (1989) and Denny Hamlin (2014).

5 – Drivers who have won the event in their first appearance – Buddy Baker, 1979; Dale Earnhardt, 1980; Jeff Gordon, 1994; Dale Jarrett, 1996; Denny Hamlin, 2006.

– Most Busch Light Clash wins all-time – Dale Earnhardt, the series leader (1980, ‘86, ‘88, ‘91, ‘93, ‘95).

– All-time fewest starters in the field for the Busch Light Clash (1981)

11 – Most number of starts before winning the event – Rusty Wallace and Mark Martin.

14 – Highest number of different leaders in the Busch Light Clash event (2009, Daytona International Speedway).

22 – Highest number of wins by a manufacturer in the Busch Light Clash – Chevrolet.

22 – Most consecutive starts in the Busch Light Clash by a driver – Jeff Gordon (1994-2015).

27 – Kevin Harvick’s starting position in 2009, the lowest by a race winner in the event’s history.

28 – Number of lead changes in the 2011 event, highest number since race began in 1979.

47 – Most laps led by the winner of a Busch Light Clash event – Dale Earnhardt Jr. in 2008 at Daytona.

64 – Most laps led by a driver that did not win the Busch Light Clash event – Kyle Busch in 2022 at the LA Memorial Coliseum.

197.802 mph – The fastest average speed of the race for the Busch Light Clash – in 1987 at Daytona International Speedway and won by NASCAR Hall of Famer Bill Elliott.   

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