Report: NASCAR to Return 2027 Clash to Daytona International Speedway
The decision marks a return to the historic venue for the event, which was held at the track from 1979 to 2010 before shifting to various other locations.
NASCAR is set to return the 2027 Clash exhibition race to Daytona International Speedway, according to a report by The Athletic. The event, which serves as the unofficial start of the Cup Series season, is scheduled for February 13, 2027. This date places the exhibition eight days before the 2027 Daytona 500, which is currently slated for February 21.
The move restores the Clash to its traditional position on the calendar, having been held at Daytona International Speedway annually from 1979 to 2010. During that period, the race functioned as the unofficial commencement of the Cup Series season and the broader Speedweeks festivities. Following 2010, the event moved to various other venues, including a one-year stint on the Daytona road course in 2021, the Los Angeles Coliseum, and Bowman Gray Stadium.
When the Clash was held at locations other than the Daytona oval, the date was typically adjusted to two weeks prior to the Daytona 500. The return to Daytona in 2027 reverts to the earlier scheduling model that veteran fans may recall. The 2026 Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem was previously postponed by a few days due to a winter storm, highlighting the logistical variables that can affect the exhibition.
The report was published by The Athletic on July 24, 2026, citing sources and a tweet from journalist Jordan Bianchi. However, NASCAR has not yet issued an official public confirmation of the date or venue. The organisation has also not released the full 2027 Cup Series schedule, meaning other potential date conflicts or changes have not been ruled out.
Claims regarding the specific date of the 2027 Daytona 500 are attributed to the track's website, but the full schedule remains unreleased. The scheduling decision marks a significant shift for the exhibition, returning it to the venue that hosted it for three decades before its recent itinerant period.
