NASCAR’s unprecedented decision to reschedule the Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum due to severe weather in Los Angeles on Sunday was widely praised by the racing community. Hendrick Motorsports driver Chase Elliott expressed his appreciation for the change, calling it a logical decision that benefits everyone involved. Moving the event to a Saturday night was seen as a better fit, and Elliott believes it’s a win-win situation.
Originally, NASCAR had planned for two days of activity at the L.A. Coliseum, including practice, qualifying, and multiple races. However, due to the weather conditions, everything was condensed into a one-day show. Despite the time constraints, the Busch Light Clash and the NASCAR Mexico Series race were both completed before rain arrived in the area.
The Los Angeles area is currently preparing for a coastal storm that poses a high risk of flash flooding. The Weather Channel has labeled it as the strongest storm of the season in California, with meteorologists reporting live along the coast. Given the forecast, Denny Hamlin believes that holding the race on Saturday was the only viable option. He acknowledges that some ticket holders may be disappointed, but emphasizes that rescheduling to Monday or Tuesday would have put a strain on the teams and personnel involved in converting the Coliseum back to its original state.
While the condensed schedule allowed the race to take place, it also meant that certain aspects of the event were lost. There were no celebrity sightings or pre-race entertainment, and the halfway break concert featuring Machine Gun Kelly was canceled. Despite this, NASCAR driver Christopher Bell supports the decision to reschedule, considering it a progressive and positive step. William Byron agrees, hoping that such flexibility becomes the norm in the future, similar to how the NFL adjusts game schedules. Byron believes that rescheduling races earlier in the week would generate more excitement and improve ratings compared to waiting out rain delays.
NASCAR and its partners, including Fox Sports, worked together to make the decision to reschedule the Busch Light Clash. Traditionally, a change in schedule due to weather would only result in a minor delay or postponement until the following day. Kyle Larson of Hendrick Motorsport expressed his excitement about the unexpected opportunity to race the entire event, as he had initially only planned to participate in a heat race. Larson believes that the rescheduling could be beneficial for NASCAR, despite the financial implications, as it attracted a passionate crowd with free admission. He hopes that this experience will introduce new fans to the sport and contribute to its growth.
Race fans who attended on Saturday enjoyed free admission with general seating. Those who had purchased tickets for Sunday or pre-paid parking will receive refunds.