Denny Hamlin, a leading figure in NASCAR, is calling for the season-opening Clash event to return to Daytona International Speedway, viewing it as the optimal way to generate enthusiasm for the Daytona 500. After competing as both a car owner and driver, Hamlin voiced strong opinions on the Clash‘s future following recent disruptions and a lack of excitement at its current venue.
Hamlin Pushes for Daytona to Restore the Clash’s Prestige
The debate surrounding the location of the NASCAR Clash intensified after this year’s event, which was contested at Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Although Denny Hamlin has described his conflicted feelings about the venue, his stance has become clear: as a competitor, he feels a move back to Daytona is necessary to rebuild anticipation for the Daytona 500. The gap between the Clash and the main event currently diminishes fan enthusiasm—a sentiment Hamlin did not hide.
“There’s a reason why most outdoor sports aren’t playing right now this time of year,”
said Hamlin, as reported by Bob Pockrass of FOX Sports.
“I don’t know, as long as it was entertaining, I don’t really care. I’m an old school person, I’ve felt like, as a car owner, I hate the Clash at Daytona, but I can tell you, as a competitor, and I think for the sport, the best place is to have it at Daytona to build some excitement for the 500.”
– Denny Hamlin, driver and owner
Unpredictable Weather and Multiple Postponements Plague the Clash
This year’s Clash at Bowman Gray was only the second time the event has called Winston-Salem its home. After a smooth race last season, this year’s event faced a series of weather setbacks. The race was originally planned for Saturday night but had to be postponed twice due to a persistent winter storm that blanketed the track in snow and turned roads icy across the southeastern United States. The event finally went ahead on a Wednesday evening.
Rain in the middle stages forced NASCAR to instruct teams to switch to wet-weather tires, leading to a string of cautions as drivers struggled with the slick conditions. What should have been a quick exhibition race stretched well over three hours, highlighting the growing dissatisfaction among fans and participants alike with the current location and race timing.
Tracing the Clash’s Storied History
The Clash has a rich legacy at Daytona, dating back to its origins in 1979. For decades, it served as the traditional prelude to the Daytona 500, considered the highlight of the Cup Series calendar. However, changes in recent years have seen the exhibition race move first to the Los Angeles Coliseum and now to Bowman Gray. While the short track has its own appeal, Hamlin and other “old school competitors” view the absence of Daytona from the schedule as a critical loss for the sport’s early-season momentum.
“I think that’s a big content miss that we have [creating excitement for the Daytona 500],”
Hamlin said.
“There’s positives to this, too, where you’re getting back to the short track, certainly, a track that’s been around a long time.”
– Denny Hamlin, driver and owner
Examining the Potential Return to Daytona
Hamlin’s call for change underscores the growing belief within the sport that the Clash works best when staged at Daytona International Speedway. With its longstanding tradition and the ability to stir excitement leading up to the Daytona 500, bringing the Clash back may help restore a sense of continuity for drivers and fans. While Bowman Gray and other tracks offer their own historic value, the logistical and emotional ties to Daytona remain difficult to match.
Looking Ahead for NASCAR’s Season Opener
With unpredictable winter weather and fan engagement at stake, NASCAR now faces critical decisions about how to maximize the impact of its season-opening event. Denny Hamlin, as both a passionate competitor and a seasoned car owner, has articulated the growing desire across the NASCAR community to see the Clash return to its roots in Daytona. The focus turns to the organization to decide whether to reinstate the tradition Hamlin and many fans believe is crucial for building anticipation and excitement at the very start of the racing year.
Denny Hamlin on the Clash and whether it has a future at Bowman Gray: @NASCARONFOX pic.twitter.com/ybTEQBSyYh
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) February 5, 2026
