NASCAR moves Clash to Saturday night ahead of the weather

The Pineapple Express is one thing that can make NASCAR move plans ahead to get an event in to avoid schedule conflicts. Over the past few years, the Clash at the Colisseum has been able to avoid impacts from rain. However, El Nino has provided rain event after rain event for the Los Angeles area with the potential for localized flooding today in the LA area. So, NASCAR pulled the trigger and went racing on a Saturday night versus a Sunday night. 

Imminent heavy rains forecasted to persist from Sunday through Tuesday put NASCAR’s plans in Southern California in question, with the main event scheduled for 8 p.m. ET, 5 p.m. PT, on Sunday night. Instead, the sanctioning body worked with television partners, teams and the Coliseum to swap plans midday on Saturday, resulting in the unprecedented decision to move the race one day early, all on a day when fans had free access to the historic venue.

The result? A thrilling exhibition race that delivered thrills, spills and even boiling tempers after the Cup Series’ event — plus a full 150-lap NASCAR Mexico Series race, marking a monumental day for the international series.

Denny Hamlin took advantage of a late race restart to literally pull away and take the win in the third running of the Clash at the Colisseum. In true Hamlin fashion responding to a chorus of boos around the Colisseum Hamlin responded after the race saying to fans in attendance "I beat your favorite driver again" 

Daniel Suárez took home the checkered flag in Saturday night’s King Taco La Batalla en El Coliseo after missing out on the NASCAR Cup Series Busch Light Clash at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

Now the teams will head back east to prepare for speed week at Daytona ahead of the running of "The Great American Race" 

Rowan County Weather will provide details heading into the racing at Daytona with forecast and more!