NASCAR Clash Early Content

The 2024 NASCAR season is rapidly approaching. Below are early write-ups for what is the full known competitive field for the LA Clash At The Coliseum. It is currently unranked and basically shown in car numerical order. As we get closer to the Clash, this post will come out in normal fashion ranked (Top Tier Elite > Front Runner Rankings > Mid Pack Predictions > Low Tier).

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Ross Chastain
Clash Fantasy Outlook – In the Clash, look for Ross Chastain to potentially be a contender and perform at high level. Chastain will be looking to get off to a fast start in 2024 with mega sponsor Busch Light on board, and I think he’ll dial up the level of intensity and be unleashed, and we know how dangerous he is when he does that. The #1 team has a strong short track program with Chastain just winning at Phoenix (2023 rules package will be used in the Clash), and I have no doubt if he “shows up” and races at his 110% level of effort, good things can happen.
Clash Track History – Last year in the Clash, in his only Coliseum start, Ross Chastain started 12th, had an 11.9 average running position, had the 13th best Green Flag Speed and then finished 8th. Chastain even spun-out Hamlin along the way just after the midpoint, so he was clearly in mid-season form to start his 2023 campaign.

Austin Cindric 
Clash Fantasy Outlook – In the Clash, Austin Cindric’s campaign to drive the #2 in 2025 will begin. With Penske Racing having back-to-back championships in the organization, he’ll need to have a solid 2024 season. Cindric was one of the worst last year in the Clash, but he did finish 9th last fall at Martinsville where there’s correlation, so perhaps there’s hope. That said, if Cindric does make the “Main Event”, I have no doubt he’ll likely finish in the bottom third of the field.
Clash Track History – Last year in the Clash, Austin Cindric started last after slipping into the “Main Event” courtesy of the Last Chance Qualifier and finished a DNF 25th (out of 27). In the race, Cindric started 27th, was in 21st on lap 83 but then on lap 85 he was involved in an accident. Shortly after that his evening quietly ended due to an engine failure on lap 106. In 2022, Cindric missed the Main Event and essentially looked mid-pack in both his Heat Race, and Last Chance Qualifier.

Austin Dillon
Clash Fantasy Outlook – Austin Dillon has been strong at the Coliseum and ranks among the best. I don’t know how he’s done it, but Dillon’s 2 for 2 at finishing in the top 3 and the only other driver you can say that about is Kyle Busch. In the Clash, I don’t think the good times will continue for Dillon but in terms of the results column, you can’t argue with his 2.5 average finish.
Clash Track History – At the Coliseum, Austin Dillon has been a standout performer and is tied for having the best average finish (2.5), via results of 2nd (2023) and 3rd (2022). In last year’s “Main Event”, the #3 was fast and maneuverable. In the race, Dillon started 10th, had a 4.7 average running position, had the 4th best Driver Rating, climbed up to 2nd at the midpoint and finished 2nd when the checkered flag waved. In terms of speed analytics, Dillon ranked 2nd for Green Flag Speed and Speed Late In A Run. Dillon also wasn’t afraid to move drivers out of the way and in the closing laps he punted Bubba Wallace. In 2022’s “Main Event”, Dillon started 10th, had a 6.9 average running position and then finished 3rd. In terms of speed stats, Dillon ranked 3rd for speed late in a run, 6th for Total Speed Rankings and then 8th for Green Flag Speed.

Josh Berry
Clash Fantasy Outlook – In the Clash, Josh Berry will be making his SHR #4 debut. Berry is a great short track racer who’s previously won at Martinsville on the Xfinity level, so I think he’s capable of making the “Main Event” and perhaps having a little dark horse potential. SHR Fords were pretty fast at Martinsville in 2023, and teammate Ryan Preece was arguably the best in this race last year, so don’t overlook him. That said, I think it’s best to just temper expectations and look for him to be a bottom half of the field driver in this exhibition race.
Clash Track History – Josh Berry has never competed at the LA Coliseum.