NASCAR Clash At The Coliseum Sees 168% Spike In TV Ratings

The only constant in life is change.

This past Sunday, NASCAR opened its 2022 season in Los Angeles for the first time in the history of the sport. The concept: An exhibition short track race on a 1/4-mile oval, dubbed The Busch Clash at the LA Coliseum.

It marked the beginning of a new era for NASCAR – an era that started with a big bet. Transforming the Coliseum into a race  track cost “significantly more” than $1 million according to NASCAR’s chief racing development officer Steve O’Donnell.

The day also marked the debut of the new NASCAR Next Gen car, which features a uniform chassis for all teams on the track, with a stated goal of leveling the racing capabilities between teams.

NASCAR Clash At The Coliseum

Over 50,000 people turned up to watch NASCAR racing in a football stadium. Joey Logano won the 150 lap race, which featured performances by Pit Bull and LA’s very own Ice Cube.

NASCAR Senior Vice President Ben Kennedy called it “An incredible day for the sport.”

In a letter to fans, NASCAR’s Steve Phelps said the event marked a new era: “When the drivers fire their engines today at the L.A. Memorial Coliseum, NASCAR will officially begin a new era, and the future of our sport will be on full display for our industry and fans.”

“The Next Gen race car has arrived and is ready for its debut to start the 2022 season. The new car not only reinforces NASCAR’s commitment to best-in-class racing, it symbolizes the bold innovation that continues to drive us forward across all areas of the sport.”

“Its inaugural tour will follow a dynamic schedule that returns NASCAR to stock car racing’s hallowed ground, while also exploring new venues and opportunities. We look forward to hosting you and your families at our races this season and hope to create fun and memorable experiences that will last a lifetime.”

As someone in attendance at the LA Coliseum on Sunday, there was definitely electricity in the air. It was a perfect Southern California Sunday. The stands were filled with Angelenos of all ages checking out their first NASCAR race.

Turns out, the bet paid off.

In addition to packed stands, The Clash At The Coliseum saw a 168% ratings jump on Fox from last year. Previous Clash events in Daytona were broadcast on FS1, but Fox Sports clearly pulled out all the stops for the day in Lalaland.

Some perspective: This makes NASCAR’s The Clash At The Coliseum “the most-watched Clash since 2016 (4.8 million) when the Clash last aired on FOX,” according to Redditor Verwhat.

Also, with over 4 million viewers, the same Redditor notes “The Clash also had more viewers than all but three races from last season – Daytona 500, Daytona Roval, and Talladega 1.”

The event went head-to-head with the Pro Bowl and Olympics and still managed to draw over 4 million viewers.

Not. Too. Shabby. 

Personally, as a West Coaster, I hope it’s the start of a new tradition for NASCAR. It had the chill, low-stakes vibe of a wrestling show or monster truck rally – people were there for a fun day with their friends and family. There were plenty of cheers and jeers, but it’s was all just part of the fun.

Should NASCAR do the Clash at the Coliseum again next year?

My thoughts are in the vlog below.

TLDW: Let’s hope so.