Booming engines and high-octane fuel returned to Los Angeles for NASCAR’s 2023 Clash at the Coliseum.
Opening the 2023 season, the quarter-mile track saw 27 cars race for 150 laps. Unlike last season’s race, also at the Coliseum, where there were relatively few crashes, the evening was filled with crashes and yellow flags.
“[There was] just a lot of chaos, a lot of mayhem, a lot of disrespect, if you will,” Kyle Busch, driver of car #8, said.
Martin Truex Jr. won the event, besting Austin Dillion and Kyle Busch in their Camaro ZL1. Last year’s champion, Joey Logano, placed 16th.
The drivers will now head east for the Daytona 500 on February 19.
Stewart-Haas Racing’s No. 14 Mahindra Tractors team prepares at the garage ahead of Chase Briscoe’s heat race. (Photo by Colin Huang) Aric Almirola, who placed 18th at the Clash, stands outside his car before the race. (Photo by Yannick Peterhans) Harrison Burton’s No. 21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane Mustang drifts out of control during the heat race. (Photo taken Colin Huang) Ricky Stenhouse Jr. of Stenhouse Jr. Racing fights for a spot to advance to the final Clash in the heat race on February 6, 2023. (Photo by Sam Yang) Sen Dog, one of the lead vocalists for local Los Angeles band Cypress Hill, performs at the beginning of the 2023 Clash of the Coliseum. (Photo by Yannick Peterhans) Erik Jones No. 43 Allegiant Chevrolet, who finished last, spins out on Lap 17. (Photo by Clémence Feniou) Wiz Khalifa performs during the halftime show at the 2023 Clash at the Coliseum. (Photo by Yannick Peterhans) Attendees in the student section dance during Wiz Khalifa’s half time show performance. (Photo by Yannick Peterhans) Wiz Khalifa points during the 2023 NASCAR Clash at the Coliseum halftime show. (Photo by Yannick Peterhans)
Bubba Wallace of 23XI Racing accelerates on the track during the Clash. Wallace finished 22nd in the race. (Photo by Sam Yang) Martin Truex Jr. crosses the finish line, winning the 2023 Clash at the Coliseum. (Photo by Yannick Peterhans) Martin Truex Jr. fans celebrate seconds after Truex Jr. concluded the close race in first place. (Photo by Colin Huang) Martin Truex Jr. celebrates his win with an on-track burnout. (Photo by Sam Yang) Fireworks and confetti are fired under the Peristyle to celebrate the end of the race. (Photo by Clémence Feniou) An emotional Martin Truex Jr. at the trophy presentation of the Clash at the Coliseum. (Photo by Sam Yang) Truex Jr., Dillon and Busch stand on the podium at the end of the 2023 Clash at the Coliseum. (Photo by Yannick Peterhans)
