Drivers stand next to their race cars in the infield after qualifying on the specially built quarter mile asphalt oval inside the Los Angeles Coliseum for the NASCAR Busch Light Clash in Los Angeles on Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022. Kyle Busch is the top qualifier going into race day. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Kyle Busch races into turn 3 during qualifying on the specially built quarter mile asphalt oval inside the Los Angeles Coliseum for the NASCAR Busch Light Clash in Los Angeles on Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022. Kyle Busch is the top qualifier going into race day. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Kyle Busch smiles after capturing the op qualifying position on the specially built quarter mile asphalt oval inside the Los Angeles Coliseum for the NASCAR Busch Light Clash in Los Angeles on Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022. Kyle Busch is the top qualifier going into race day. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Kyle Busch races down the backstretch during qualifying on the specially built quarter mile asphalt oval inside the Los Angeles Coliseum for the NASCAR Busch Light Clash in Los Angeles on Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022. Kyle Busch is the top qualifier going into race day. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Kyle Busch (bottom) waits next to his race car along with Joey Logano (middle) and Ryan Blaney (top) during qualifying on the specially built quarter mile asphalt oval inside the Los Angeles Coliseum for the NASCAR Busch Light Clash in Los Angeles on Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022. Kyle Busch is the top qualifier going into race day. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
A race car is seen on a video board as the sun sets during qualifying on the specially built quarter mile asphalt oval inside the Los Angeles Coliseum for the NASCAR Busch Light Clash in Los Angeles on Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022. Kyle Busch is the top qualifier going into race day. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Race cars wait for qualifying to begin on the specially built quarter mile asphalt oval inside the Los Angeles Coliseum for the NASCAR Busch Light Clash in Los Angeles on Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022. Kyle Busch is the top qualifier going into race day. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Race cars roll out onto the track for qualifying on the specially built quarter mile asphalt oval inside the Los Angeles Coliseum for the NASCAR Busch Light Clash in Los Angeles on Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022. Kyle Busch is the top qualifier going into race day. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Austin Cindric locks up his front tires as the drives into turn 3 during qualifying on the specially built quarter mile asphalt oval inside the Los Angeles Coliseum for the NASCAR Busch Light Clash in Los Angeles on Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022. Kyle Busch is the top qualifier going into race day. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Drivers race around the specially built quarter mile asphalt oval inside the Los Angeles Coliseum during practice for the NASCAR Busch Light Clash in Los Angeles on Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022. The Clash is scheduled for 3 p.m. Sunday. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Race fans Nate Birkmeier (left) along with his son Hunter (right), 12, and Jessica Holy (center) sign the start finish line paint as they take part in the Track Walk around the specially built quarter mile asphalt oval inside the Los Angeles Coliseum prior to qualifying for the NASCAR Busch Light Clash in Los Angeles on Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022. The Clash is scheduled for 3 p.m. Sunday. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Chase Elliott (9) and Ryan Blaney (12) race along the front stretch around the specially built quarter mile asphalt oval inside the Los Angeles Coliseum during practice for the NASCAR Busch Light Clash in Los Angeles on Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022. The Clash is scheduled for 3 p.m. Sunday. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Chase Briscoe (14) has his car pushed back to the pits following practice on the specially built quarter mile asphalt oval inside the Los Angeles Coliseum for the NASCAR Busch Light Clash in Los Angeles on Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022. The Clash is scheduled for 3 p.m. Sunday. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
A crew member for Chase Elliott scrapes rubber off a racing slick following practice around the specially built quarter mile asphalt oval inside the Los Angeles Coliseum for the NASCAR Busch Light Clash in Los Angeles on Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022. The Clash is scheduled for 3 p.m. Sunday. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Ryan Blaney (12), Chase Elliott (9) and Michael McDowell (34) race along the front stretch around the specially built quarter mile asphalt oval inside the Los Angeles Coliseum during practice for the NASCAR Busch Light Clash in Los Angeles on Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022. The Clash is scheduled for 3 p.m. Sunday. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Race fans Bonner Bellew (left), from Porter Ranch, and Matt Delton (right), from Brentwood, hold their children as they take a pose for a picture with the winners trophy as they take part in the Track Walk around the specially built quarter mile asphalt oval inside the Los Angeles Coliseum prior to qualifying for the NASCAR Busch Light Clash in Los Angeles on Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022. The Clash is scheduled for 3 p.m. Sunday. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Race fans take part in the Track Walk around the specially built quarter mile asphalt oval inside the Los Angeles Coliseum prior to qualifying for the NASCAR Busch Light Clash in Los Angeles on Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022. The Clash is scheduled for 3 p.m. Sunday. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Race cars wait for qualifying to begin on the specially built quarter mile asphalt oval inside the Los Angeles Coliseum for the NASCAR Busch Light Clash in Los Angeles on Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022. Kyle Busch is the top qualifier going into race day. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Driver Chase Elliott (right) speaks with a crew member in the pits following practice on the specially built quarter mile asphalt oval inside the Los Angeles Coliseum during practice for the NASCAR Busch Light Clash in Los Angeles on Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022. The Clash is scheduled for 3 p.m. Sunday. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Race teams work on their cars following practice on the specially built quarter mile asphalt oval inside the Los Angeles Coliseum for the NASCAR Busch Light Clash in Los Angeles on Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022. The Clash is scheduled for 3 p.m. Sunday. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Race fans Dusty and Tyler Schild, from Meridian, Idaho, enjoy the shade as they lean against a scraped up racing wall along the front stretch as they take part in the Track Walk around the specially built quarter mile asphalt oval inside the Los Angeles Coliseum prior to qualifying for the NASCAR Busch Light Clash in Los Angeles on Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022. The Clash is scheduled for 3 p.m. Sunday. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Driver Chase Elliott (right) speaks with a crew member in the pits following practice on the specially built quarter mile asphalt oval inside the Los Angeles Coliseum during practice for the NASCAR Busch Light Clash in Los Angeles on Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022. The Clash is scheduled for 3 p.m. Sunday. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Race fans watch as drivers race around the specially built quarter mile asphalt oval inside the Los Angeles Coliseum during practice for the NASCAR Busch Light Clash in Los Angeles on Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022. The Clash is scheduled for 3 p.m. Sunday. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
A race fan writes the name of his favorite driver on the start finish line paint as they take part in the Track Walk around the specially built quarter mile asphalt oval inside the Los Angeles Coliseum prior to qualifying for the NASCAR Busch Light Clash in Los Angeles on Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022. The Clash is scheduled for 3 p.m. Sunday. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Chase Elliott (9) drives his race car out into the tunnel after practice on the specially built quarter mile asphalt oval inside the Los Angeles Coliseum for the NASCAR Busch Light Clash in Los Angeles on Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022. The Clash is scheduled for 3 p.m. Sunday. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Chase Elliott (9) and Michael McDowell (34) race around the specially built quarter mile asphalt oval inside the Los Angeles Coliseum during practice for the NASCAR Busch Light Clash in Los Angeles on Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022. The Clash is scheduled for 3 p.m. Sunday. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Michael McDowell (34) and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (47) race around the specially built quarter mile asphalt oval inside the Los Angeles Coliseum during practice for the NASCAR Busch Light Clash in Los Angeles on Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022. The Clash is scheduled for 3 p.m. Sunday. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Drivers race around the specially built quarter mile oval during practice for the NASCAR Busch Light Clash at the Los Angeles Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022. The Clash is scheduled for 3 p.m. Sunday. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Martin Truex Jr. races through turns 3 and 4 race during practice on the specially built quarter mile asphalt oval inside the Los Angeles Coliseum during practice for the NASCAR Busch Light Clash in Los Angeles on Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022. The Clash is scheduled for 3 p.m. Sunday. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Drivers race around the specially built quarter mile oval during practice for the NASCAR Busch Light Clash at the Los Angeles Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022. The Clash is scheduled for 3 p.m. Sunday. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Alex Bowman (bottom) leads a pack of cars down the backstretch as they practice on the specially built quarter mile asphalt oval inside the Los Angeles Coliseum during practice for the NASCAR Busch Light Clash in Los Angeles on Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022. The Clash is scheduled for 3 p.m. Sunday. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Race fans watch as drivers race around the specially built quarter mile asphalt oval inside the Los Angeles Coliseum during practice for the NASCAR Busch Light Clash in Los Angeles on Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022. The Clash is scheduled for 3 p.m. Sunday. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Kyle Busch (18) races out of turn 4 on the specially built quarter mile asphalt oval inside the Los Angeles Coliseum during practice for the NASCAR Busch Light Clash in Los Angeles on Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022. The Clash is scheduled for 3 p.m. Sunday. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Defending series champion Kyle Larson (5) drives his race car out into the tunnel after practice on the specially built quarter mile asphalt oval inside the Los Angeles Coliseum for the NASCAR Busch Light Clash in Los Angeles on Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022. The Clash is scheduled for 3 p.m. Sunday. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Drivers race around the specially built quarter mile asphalt oval inside the Los Angeles Coliseum during practice for the NASCAR Busch Light Clash in Los Angeles on Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022. The Clash is scheduled for 3 p.m. Sunday. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Bubba Wallace (23) and Austin Cindric (2) race out of turn 4 on the specially built quarter mile asphalt oval inside the Los Angeles Coliseum during practice for the NASCAR Busch Light Clash in Los Angeles on Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022. The Clash is scheduled for 3 p.m. Sunday. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Drivers race around the specially built quarter mile asphalt oval inside the Los Angeles Coliseum during practice for the NASCAR Busch Light Clash in Los Angeles on Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022. The Clash is scheduled for 3 p.m. Sunday. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Race fans Robert Buckley (left), from Morro Bay, Jesse Flores (center), from Riverside, and Art Haynie (right), from Marina del Rey, leave hand written messages on the start finish line as they take part in the Track Walk around the specially built quarter mile asphalt oval inside the Los Angeles Coliseum prior to qualifying for the NASCAR Busch Light Clash in Los Angeles on Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022. The Clash is scheduled for 3 p.m. Sunday. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Race fans Kaitlen Dangle, Brandon Stone and Judy Dangle, all from San Diego walk along the back stretch as they take part in the Track Walk around the specially built quarter mile asphalt oval inside the Los Angeles Coliseum prior to qualifying for the NASCAR Busch Light Clash in Los Angeles on Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022. The Clash is scheduled for 3 p.m. Sunday. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Bubba Wallace (23), Aric Almirola (10), Kurt Busch (45) and A. J. Allmendinger (16) race around the specially built quarter mile asphalt oval inside the Los Angeles Coliseum during practice for the NASCAR Busch Light Clash in Los Angeles on Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022. The Clash is scheduled for 3 p.m. Sunday. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Kyle Busch (18) and Christopher Bell (20) race through turns 3 and 4 on the specially built quarter mile oval during practice for the NASCAR Busch Light Clash at the Los Angeles Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022. The Clash is scheduled for 3 p.m. Sunday. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Kyle Busch (18) drives his race car out of the tunnel onto the specially built quarter mile asphalt oval inside the Los Angeles Coliseum for practice for the NASCAR Busch Light Clash in Los Angeles on Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022. The Clash is scheduled for 3 p.m. Sunday. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Race fans Nate Birkmeier (left) along with his son Hunter (right), 12, and Jessica Holy (center) sign the start finish line paint as they take part in the Track Walk around the specially built quarter mile asphalt oval inside the Los Angeles Coliseum prior to qualifying for the NASCAR Busch Light Clash in Los Angeles on Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022. The Clash is scheduled for 3 p.m. Sunday. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Alex Bowman (bottom) leads a pack of cars down the backstretch as they practice on the specially built quarter mile asphalt oval inside the Los Angeles Coliseum during practice for the NASCAR Busch Light Clash in Los Angeles on Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022. The Clash is scheduled for 3 p.m. Sunday. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
The crew of driver Chase Briscoe (14) has his car pushed back to the pits past the Los Angeles Swimming Stadium following practice on the specially built quarter mile asphalt oval inside the Los Angeles Coliseum for the NASCAR Busch Light Clash in Los Angeles on Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022. The Clash is scheduled for 3 p.m. Sunday. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Race fans take part in the Track Walk around the specially built quarter mile asphalt oval inside the Los Angeles Coliseum prior to qualifying for the NASCAR Busch Light Clash in Los Angeles on Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022. The Clash is scheduled for 3 p.m. Sunday. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Kyle Busch (18), Harrison Burton (21) and Ty Dillon (42) race down the backstretch on the specially built quarter mile asphalt oval inside the Los Angeles Coliseum during practice for the NASCAR Busch Light Clash in Los Angeles on Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022. The Clash is scheduled for 3 p.m. Sunday. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Race cars sit in the infield following their practice session around the specially built quarter mile asphalt oval inside the Los Angeles Coliseum during practice for the NASCAR Busch Light Clash in Los Angeles on Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022. The Clash is scheduled for 3 p.m. Sunday. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Drivers race around the specially built quarter mile asphalt oval inside the Los Angeles Coliseum during practice for the NASCAR Busch Light Clash in Los Angeles on Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022. The Clash is scheduled for 3 p.m. Sunday. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Drivers race around the specially built quarter mile asphalt oval inside the Los Angeles Coliseum during practice for the NASCAR Busch Light Clash in Los Angeles on Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022. The Clash is scheduled for 3 p.m. Sunday. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Drivers race around the specially built quarter mile asphalt oval inside the Los Angeles Coliseum during practice for the NASCAR Busch Light Clash in Los Angeles on Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022. The Clash is scheduled for 3 p.m. Sunday. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Spotters watch their drivers from below the press box as drivers race around the specially built quarter mile asphalt oval inside the Los Angeles Coliseum during practice for the NASCAR Busch Light Clash in Los Angeles on Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022. The Clash is scheduled for 3 p.m. Sunday. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
It was somewhat jolting on Saturday to see race cars, prepping for Sunday’s NASCAR Busch Light Clash, reaching speeds of nearly 75 mph on the same track where Alonzo Babers, in the 400 meters, and Carl Lewis, in the 200 and 100 meters, won gold medals at the 1984 Summer Olympics.
It was even more jolting to see the entire infield at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum covered in asphalt. In addition, there are concrete barriers circling both sides of the track with a chain link fence atop the outside concrete barriers. The fencing, used as a safety precaution in case of an unforeseen accident, is the same type used at the Long Beach Grand Prix. As another safety precaution, the first 14 rows of the stands were covered with sponsor banners, which also keep fans from sitting in seats where the sightline would be terrible for this event.
The Coliseum was converted to a stock-car racetrack in order to stage the two-day Clash, an exhibition race that traditionally opens the NASCAR season. But since 1979, it has always been held at the Daytona International Speedway.
Saturday’s action consisted of morning practice sessions, closed to the public, and late afternoon single-car qualifying to determine the seedings for Sunday’s bevy of qualifying heats, which begin at noon. Gates open at 10 a.m. and the main event is at 3 p.m.
Proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test is required, and fans are requested to wear masks when not eating or drinking.
The top qualifier Saturday night was Kyle Busch, who had the fast lap at 13.745 seconds. He will be seeded No. 1 for Sunday’s qualifying heats.Installing the asphalt track and infield took about six weeks. Demolishing it, which will begin tonight shortly after the racing ends, is expected to take only two weeks. The asphalt will be recycled.
The football field will need to be re-sodded.
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To protect the ground, there is 130,000 square feet of plywood and 650 truckloads of buffer material made from crushed concrete and dirt beneath the asphalt.One of the main reasons for holding this event in Los Angeles was to help promote NASCAR promote the Wise Power 400 at the Auto Club Speedway in Fontana at the end of the month, one week after the Daytona 500.
Dave Allen, president of the Fontana track who was at the Coliseum Saturday, said, “When I first heard about this idea, I thought ‘Wow. This is really outside-the-box thinking’. NASCAR has done a phenomenal job pulling this off.”
After Saturday’s practice sessions, driver Kyle Larson said, “I think it is awesome; everything about it. Staging outside, driving through the tunnel.” The tunnel is the same one USC football players use to enter the field.
Driver Chase Elliott, who had the fast practice run Saturday, said he expected top speed in Sunday’s race will be 70 to 75 mph, with speed around the corners being around 40 mph. He figures the average winning speed will be around 65 mph.
“You don’t have to go fast put on good racing,” Elliott said.
There were no incidents on the track Saturday, and drivers said the asphalt was gripping well, particularly during the later rounds.
NASCAR estimates 70% of the people attending Sunday’s race will be attending a NASCAR race for the first time, and an informal survey of fans by this reporter bore that out.
Tickets for Saturday were only $40, and for an extra $20 fans got a wrist band that allowed them to walk on the track during the afternoon down time.
First-timers Derek and Gillian Haviland came all the way from Kotzebue, Alaska, located inside the Arctic Circle in the northwest part of the state. They came to L.A. to see their first NASCAR race in person, and brought along their 16-month-old daughter Tatqavin , who enjoyed running on the asphalt track as her mother ran after her. Her parents enjoyed the weather. It was minus-12 degrees in Kotzebue Saturday.
Then there was ardent fan Dan Duane, 74, of Lancaster County, Pa., who flew into L.A. by himself just for the race. He said he has been attending NASCAR events since 1967.
Those attending Sunday likely will need to show patience. Even with a very sparse crowd Saturday, there were parking and logistic problems. They should keep in mind the beauty of this event is that it has never been done before – and the problem with this event is that it has never been done before.
