NASCAR CEO Steve O’Donnell has made plenty of fans happy since he took over earlier this year with changes to the sport, seemingly taking feedback from drivers and fans to make adaptations during the 2026 season. With The Chase drawing to a close, it now appears NASCAR is contemplating a big change for The Clash at Daytona International Speedway in 2027.
According to NASAR Rumors & Nostalgia, it appears there’s been talk that the 2027 The Clash could see the return of being an “invite only event” and not a race where every chartered car gets to compete.
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If that proves to be true, as noted, the field for The Clash next year would include Ryan Preece, Carson Hocevar, Shane van Gisbergen, Corey Heim, Tyler Reddick, Ty Gibbs, Ross Chastain, Kyle Larson, Daniel Suárez, Chase Elliott, Denny Hamlin, Ryan Blaney, Chase Briscoe, Christopher Bell and Joey Logano all competing in it.
Importantly, per the report, that doesn’t necessarily mean that it will only be a 15-driver field. After all, there are still five races left in The Chase for the 2026 season, so there remain opportunities for additional race winners to punch their ticket into The Clash next year.
NASCAR announced back in August that its preseason Cup Series race would “return to its roots” for 2027, now under the name the Wheatley Vodka Clash, at Daytona International Speedway. The non-points race is scheduled to be held on the night of Saturday, Feb. 13, 2027, the night before Super Bowl LXI.
Limiting the size of the field by only including 2026 winners and past winners of The Clash and potentially pole sitters from this season, along with a few others, certainly makes a spot in it feel more significant. Meanwhile, since it no longer hosts the event, Bowman Gray picked up its first-ever Truck Series race in 2027.
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