VP Racing Fuels as they set up to provide the liquid energy used to
move racing platforms around the famed track at Daytona during the
Rolex 24. Image Credit: VP Racing Fuels (2021)
VP Racing And IMSA Collaborate On New Renewable Fuel For 2023 Season
James McVey - International Sales Manager and Sales Consultant at VP
Racing Fuels - San Antonio, TX
VP Racing Fuels, Inc., the global leader in performance fuels, lubricants, and
additives, officially announces that their newly engineered R80 renewable fuel
is now
powering IMSA’s GTP class throughout the 2023 season, starting at the Rolex 24 in Daytona last month.
"VP Racing is excited to be the official fuel for the new IMSA GTP class
with our new R80 renewable fuel," said Bruce Hendel, Senior Vice President - Global Sales for VP.
"We worked closely with IMSA and the OEMs to develop and deliver a new 80%
renewable fuel, and now it is racetrack proven." continued Hendel. "With
over 80 specially engineered fuels, VP continues to be at the forefront of
performance and race fuel development, now and for the future."
GTP/LMDh Class field is filled with cars produced by four
manufacturers. From left to right - ACURA ARX-06 LMDh - Wayne
Taylor Racing with Andretti Autosport, Cadillac V-LMDh - Action
Express Racing, BMW M Hybrid V8 - Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing
(RLL), Cadillac V-LMDh - Porsche 963 - Porsche Penske Motorsport.
Image Credit: IMSA (2023)
Through close collaboration with IMSA and the OEMs, VP Racing engineered R80
specifically for the GTP class to deliver sustainability with performance. To
ensure the highest quality components are used, VP globally sourced advanced
renewable components used in the R80 formulation. This environmentally
friendly, sustainable fuel will help reduce emissions and give the world-class
performance expected of a VP fuel. Specific R80 features include ...
** A fuel formulated with 64% Gen 2 non-food biomass
** At or more than 55% reduction in CO2 versus previous fuels
** All the performance needed is track-proven at the Rolex 24
R80 did indeed perform and impress the race teams as they experienced this new
generation of fuel and racing. "There is a really cool renewable fuel in this
car," said David Salters, President of Honda Performance Development. "It’s
great because it’s a new thing. We are cutting edge."
"Sustainability is one of the pillars of our new GTP class," said IMSA
Senior Vice President, Marketing and Business Operations David Pettit.
"As our technical team developed plans for the next generation of our top
prototype class, it quickly became clear that renewable fuels and hybrid
technology were vital to earning commitments from our manufacturers to
participate. We are proud to partner with VP Racing on the introduction of
R80 and are committed to building toward 100 percent renewable fuel in the
future."
GTP sports cars use a single-source hybrid powertrain and will run exclusively
on renewable R80 fuel.
For more information about VP Racing Fuels and its products for racers,
enthusiasts, and general consumers, visit www.vpracingfuels.com.
During his first test at Sebring in October, team principal
Ricardo Juncos (l) instructs past Juncos Hollinger Racing IMSA
driver Agustin Canapino (r) on the particulars of open-wheel
INDYCAR racing platform. Agustin passed the test and was named as
the second driver on a two driver team that includes 24 yr. old
British born NICS driver in his second full year Callum Ilott.
Image Credit: Chris Owens - NICS (2022)
Welcome To 2023 NTT INDYCAR SERIES JHR's Rookie Argentinian Agustin
Canapino
The 33-year-old (born: 19 January 1990) is one of Argentina’s most successful drivers, and is set
to start competing the NTT IndyCar Series after securing 15 national
championships in his homeland – winning multiple titles in the Super
TC2000, Top Race V6, and Turismo Carretera categories. Canapino has
already enjoyed a successful relationship with Chevrolet during his career
and will continue this special relationship with Juncos Hollinger Racing
(JHR).
The newly-tapped IndyCar driver, the second 2023 pilot for JHR next to
Brit Callum Ilott, has experience with JHR, having competed for the
organization in 2019 in the Rolex 24 at Daytona, as well as the 12 Hours
of Sebring, as part of the team’s Cadillac DPi entry.
Canapino got the opportunity to get his first taste of the
current-generation INDYCAR car when he completed a private test with JHR
in October 2022 at Sebring International Raceway.
To begin the 2023 NICS championship season, Agustin was able to gain four
days of track/seat time and relationship building at NTT INDYCAR SERIES
Open Test held at the private facility - The Thermal Club - where he was
able to post up at P21 in a field of 27 drivers.
The Thermal Club combined results of the two day/four session Winter Open Test as published by the NTT INDYCAR SERIES. The fastest time posted breaks any other published track time for the Long circuit configuration - 01:38.4221 tops the time posted by a Porsche 911 GT2 RS (991) at 2:08.0000 (est.) - Image Credit: NICS (2023)
It was noticed that Agustin Canapino was following Team Penske Chevrolet's
Scott McLaughlin and tracking his speed as well as car placement through
sections of the track - was this pre-arranged and did Agustin have
conversations with the New Zealand born, three-time champion of the
Australian V8 Supercars, 29 yr. old Scott McLaughlin?
Two recognized stock car style champions tracking nose to tail on
the Private Pavement of The Thermal Club - Rookie learns from 2022
P4 season Team Penske transition master. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks
(2023)
When Motorsports Journal's Edmund Jenks asked for a follow-up response to
what was observed and his overall impressions of his first official NTT
INDYCAR SERIES teams event in 2023 - here are his responses.
AGUSTIN CANAPINO:Yes,
Scott approached very kindly and I am very grateful for that. He told me I
will need time and practice but the most difficult thing to learn for us,
the touring car drivers, is trust in the aerodynamic and of course accustom
the body to G forces.
This still photos video catches a rare opportunity to witness the
comraderie found when accomplished drivers are able to share in the
process of their evolving passions. Here we see Team Penske's Scott
McLaughlin, who came to INDYCAR after a very successful career in driving
Stock/Sports cars in Australia, introduce much of the transitional lessons
he learned over these last couple of years with Agustin Canapino, himself
a very accomplished Stock/Sports cars in Argentina. All Images Credit:
Edmund Jenks (2023)
AGUSTIN CANAPINO:My
first experience was really good, honestly much better than I expected. The
main thing is I could do the whole test without mistakes and I did a lot of
laps [both] Thermal and Sebring.
AGUSTIN CANAPINO:I
have a lot of work to do, I still with a lot of doubts and with things to
learn, but the starting point was really good [better] than everybody
expected, inclusive me and the team.
AGUSTIN CANAPINO:Now
the goal will be to finish a race, doesn't matter the position, the
objective is finish the race and gain experience.
AGUSTIN CANAPINO:I
didn't follow wheel to wheel [as the structure of the Open Test on The
Thermal Club dictated - no passing] and [this skill] is the big challenge
I will have in the race. So, it's just the beginning, we need to keep
calm, obviously I will be in the last positions but our focus will be in
learn and finish the race. During the year we will progress and see how
far we can go.
The Thermal Club Long configuration which includes two configurations joined
together run in a counter-clockwise rotation - the North Palm
Circuit in BLUE and the South Palm Circuit in RED - delivered a
test track day for the fastest laps ever turned here on Private
Pavement Long - as measured by NICS 3.067 mile(s). The tracking images of Agustin following Scott were taken from
a balcony where TruSpeed Autosport is located - at the top of the
front straight away of the South Palm Circuit. Image Credit:
Fastlaps
Before taking to the "Private Pavement" track at The Thermal Club, Agustin
Canapino, spent about 19 minutes with writers who follow the NTT INDYCAR
SERIES throughout the season and proved, to him and members of the press,
that English as a second language is no big deal after only three
months.
NTT INDYCAR SERIES News Conference
Agustin Canapino - Press Conference
Wednesday, February 1, 2023
THE MODERATOR: Great to have the rookie for Juncos Hollinger Racing, Agustin
Canapino, after so much experience in Argentina and now carrying the Argentine
flag for the team.
Just announced a couple weeks ago, and you just arrived to the United States
10 days or so ago probably.
AGUSTIN CANAPINO: Yes. Hello, everybody. It's only two weeks ago.
Q.How has the transition been?
AGUSTIN CANAPINO: Oh, difficult. I am very happy to be here. Of course it's
my first time outside my country, outside my language. I never speak English
all the time, so sorry for my English for everybody, but I'm trying to learn
day by day, and I'm excited about this opportunity.
Q.Callum said that you only started learning English last year; is that
correct?
AGUSTIN CANAPINO: Three months ago I only could say hello.
Q.How are you learning? Who's teaching you?
AGUSTIN CANAPINO: A teacher from Argentina, a friend to my main sponsor and
manager. I started to do two, three classes a week, and I don't know, I am
here.
Q.How long are the classes?
AGUSTIN CANAPINO: Hours and a half, but I focus a lot to at least try to
learn to speak, to communicate, and of course I need to improve a lot, but
at least I can speak with the engineers and some people.
Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2023)
Q.It's actually fascinating. Your English is fine; it's mind blowing. Like
we're idiots.
AGUSTIN CANAPINO: No, I think it's really bad. This morning actually a lot
in the car because I need to speak English every time, but I don't know.
Q.This is your first time out of Argentina?
AGUSTIN CANAPINO: Yes, my first --
Q.You've never left Argentina before?
AGUSTIN CANAPINO: Yes, I left, but only for a few days, but it my first time
living outside my country. I did my career in South America and speak
Spanish, only a little bit of Portuguese. When I did stock car in Brazil I
did two races, but otherwise Spanish.
Q.You're the first Argentinian I've seen since the World Cup. How was
that?
AGUSTIN CANAPINO: Oh, my God, we are very proud. We are very proud,
especially for Messi. He's like a God in our country, and he is a God. But
we are very proud, very proud of the soccer in our country is very, very
important sport, very popular.
We are in a bad moment in our country, economic moment is very bad in that
moment, so this situation is very good for all the people because we are in
a bad moment.
Q.I know Ricardo has been talking to us for a while about wanting to add a
second full-time driver alongside Callum to continue to build this INDYCAR
team. When did the prospect of joining INDYCAR and conversations with
Ricardo and Brad come to your attention? How long had this potential
opportunity been in motion for you?
AGUSTIN CANAPINO: Oh, everything started in the test because we did
exhibitions in Argentina. We had a lot of people watching the exhibitions,
very successful event. It all started there in Sebring and I started the
exhibitions.
Honestly, I didn't expect that, so I have all of my 2023 ready in my series
in Argentina, and Ricardo called me in December, we have a chance to do
that, so of course I need to change everything, to talk with my team owner
in Argentina, make a new life very different.
But I take this opportunity because for me it's my first opportunity outside
my country. Of course I know, it's very difficult to me. I never did any
full season in a single seat car, but I'm very excited and I will do my
best. I will do my best.
Q.What about this INDYCAR opportunity, as one who has had so little time in
single seaters, open-wheel racing, and someone who's had such an
incredibly successful career in stock cars in South America, why was this
something you wanted to give a shot?
AGUSTIN CANAPINO: Because it's INDYCAR. INDYCAR is in my opinion the most
demanding and competitive category in the world. For me it's a big
opportunity to try something outside, something in international level. We
are here with Grosjean, with Dixon, with Power, of course Callum, one of the
best drivers in the world, so for me it's a big opportunity.
Of course we are in trouble because I don't know the cars, the tracks, the
ovals, but I love the challenge. I love the situation. So I know it's very
difficult to me, but I have confidence. Of course I need time. I need time.
I need to learn day by day, test by test. That's it.
Q.Again, your English is amazing, but were you worried? Is there a backup
plan if you wouldn't have gotten it so quickly in three months? Were you
nervous about being able to get up to speed quick enough?
AGUSTIN CANAPINO: No, I don't know, so I'm very -- always in my life -- it
was very difficult, honestly. I lost my father two years ago. I have a very
tough infancy -- I don't know the name, but when I was a child always was
very difficult to me, so I am like this.
I am very focused on when I have an objective in my mind, I go for that. I
don't know. Honestly, I think my English is very bad. Sorry.
Q.It's not.
AGUSTIN CANAPINO: This is the situation. I always try to do perfect
everything, and if I can't do it perfect, for me it's not do it. I am like
this.
Q.You always figure it out; it always works out?
AGUSTIN CANAPINO: Yeah.
Q.What's important about knowing English with communicating to the
engineers? Are there certain things you had to know how to talk to them
about the car? Are you going to be learning that in the next few days?
AGUSTIN CANAPINO: It's very important. It's very important, but I need to
practice. Need to practice the conversation, need to practice to hear the
engineer. Ricardo helped me, of course. Tomorrow and on Friday and of course
in St. Pete. But I need practice. I need to do laps. I need to hear my
engineer in English. I need to speak with you in English. I need to practice
and keep my focus on everything.
Q.How big of a culture shock was it moving from Argentina to
Indianapolis?
AGUSTIN CANAPINO: The cold. But I love United States. It's very different.
All is very different. I'm very happy to be here. I like this experience
with my girlfriend. All is very, very different, the food, the weather. I
don't know, all -- I'm enjoying a lot the experience. Only two weeks I am
here. I need to live a lot more.
Q.The exhibition run that Ricardo had with the car in Argentina, how big
was that, and how do you describe to us really how that helped seal the
deal for you to be an INDYCAR driver?
AGUSTIN CANAPINO: Yes, yes. Maybe about that, it's better if Ricardo talks
about that. But it was very successful. We had a lot of people, more than
70,000, because in our country, the motorsport is very popular. It's the
second sport after the soccer. We have a lot of fans, so you can see in
social media the people are very crazy with this opportunity for me.
We have a lot of fans of motorsport in South America, especially in
Argentina.
Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2023)
Q.Do you think there will be any translation from the Tourismo Carretera to
the INDYCAR?
AGUSTIN CANAPINO: No, it's very different. They're different because the
demanding -- especially the physical demanding. INDYCAR is the most
demanding about the physical conditioning in the world, so I think this is
my big challenge, the physical, especially because the races are very long
here.
I did 40 minutes, 45 minutes races in my country and here are two and a half
hours, and especially the ovals. I think all is very different. But at the
end of the day, it's racing cars. I think this is the most common thing is
racing cars.
Q.You've had a long relationship with Chevrolet; how cool is that to keep
continuing that --
AGUSTIN CANAPINO: Oh, it's awesome. It's awesome, because in my country the
Chevy fans are a lot. You can see a lot of people with tattoos, with the
Chevy logo, with my car, with my sign. The Chevy brand in my country is very
popular, so for me it's a good thing.
Q.I wanted to ask, you say a racing car is a racing car, but obviously
those Chevys are front wheel drive, the TC car is front wheel drive. What
are the bad habits that you have to get out of doing in order to be where
you have to stop thinking like a touring car driver and start thinking
like an INDYCAR driver? What are the big challenges there?
AGUSTIN CANAPINO: I said racing cars, of course you need to go fast in every
car. I say that. But it's very, very different. It's much more difficult,
much more difficult an INDYCAR car than I drove in the past. Of course I
know that, and this is the challenge.
I love that, because now I have to do more professional, more preparing, and
I have the best drivers in the world in the track. All is very different, of
course, and most demanding.
Q.How much simulator time have you had so far?
AGUSTIN CANAPINO: Simulator? Not too much. Not too much because I am a work
in progress with simulator in my home, but I am a Williams Esports driver in
the sim racing world. I love the simulations. Of course I did a lot of races
or tests with an INDYCAR sim, but it's not the same. It's very different and
more difficult.
Q.I know there are some things that are common to you, the Chevrolet logo,
visit Argentina. Are you a Porteño, or are you from other places inside
Argentina?
AGUSTIN CANAPINO: Where I am from?
Q.Yeah, are you a Porteño?
AGUSTIN CANAPINO: No, I am from a small town like two hours from Buenos
Aires. The name is Arrecifes. I am from there.
Q.Being from Arrecifes, what led you to start racing cars throughout Brazil
or Argentina?
AGUSTIN CANAPINO: Yeah, I did my entire career in Argentina, because in our
country we have a very strong categories and very popular. We have very good
sponsors. We have a lot of fans in the tracks. Always we have 40, 30, 50,000
per race watching the races; 50 cars in only one category.
Head down and busy learning how to control a Dallara DW12 Chevrolet
at The Thermal Club. Image Credit: James Black - NICS (2023)
It's very popular. It's very important, but of course it's touring cars,
it's not INDYCAR, and low car drivers. The big difference now is the other
drivers, the car and the ovals. This is my big three difference I will have
this year.
Q.You started 18 years ago like a virtual driver. Could you talk a little
bit about that. Plus, your INDYCAR rookie season starts with a race near
to St. Petersburg. Talk about that.
AGUSTIN CANAPINO: Yes, I couldn't do go-karts because I couldn't for
economic situations and a lot of other things about my family, and I started
when I was 15 years old. I was older in comparison of the other drivers.
Everything in my whole career, it's like now very weird, very strange, very
challenge. I did all my career like this, with a lot of difficulty, but I love
that because I grew up with all of these situations, and I can take this
opportunity with a lot of motivation unless, of course, it's very -- I don't
know what happened, but I am here with a lot of confidence, and I am very
happy to be here. [ht: FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports]
The NTT INDYCAR SERIES has always been a transition option to accomplished drivers from around the world to give topline professional luster to their careers. What is great about this era in INDYCAR culture is the broad shoulder acceptance shown by the professionals in this exclusive club of athletic pursuit. Again, witnessed by the time spent during this first time open test at a Private Pavement facility at The Thermal Club.
How knows, this two day The Thermal Club session went so well, INDYCAR may just place some roots or commitments on the ground here and start growing some date palms along the way.
Agustín Canapino will make his competitive NTT INDYCAR
SERIES debut in the season-opening event on the Streets of St.
Petersburg, on March 5th, 2023. Welcome Agustin Canapino.
TAGS: NTT INDYCAR SERIES, Chevrolet, Agustin Canapino, Argentina, #ThermalClub, Open Test, Content Days, Juncos Hollinger Racing, JHR, Scott
McLaughlin, Team Penske, Australia, Long, North Palm, South Palm, The EDJE
Day of the 2023 Busch Light Clash At The Coliseum pre-activity
track walk shot of the GEICO RESTART ZONE towards the iconic
peristyle end of the Los Angeles Coliseum. Image Credit: Edmund
Jenks (2023)
Second Edition Of Busch Light Clash At The Coliseum Different But Still
Good
Almost nothing can ever match up to a first time experience of anything. A
meaningful kiss, a campout in nature of a city kid, friendship with someone
completely different than yourself, the achievement of a long and cherished goal
that was months or even years in the study and making.
The repeat in the "One Of" NASCAR race on a purpose built temporary
Quarter-Mile oval race track came kind of close but was very different.
The 2023 edition and second running of the Busch Light Clash At The Coliseum
had all of the elements in perfect order. During ground breaking ceremony held
in December 2022, many of the crew that were there for the first build were
happy to be putting the track back in again.
The track build in preparation for the ground breaking ceremony at
the nearly 100 year old LA Coliseum. The two rows of interlocking
concrete edging balusters are already in place as the layered
conversion of the base field takes place. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks
(2022)
When asked if there were any significant changes to the build, the answer was
that the process and materials were exactly the same, even down to the special
composite aggregate (piled center/left in above image) used for the base under
the asphalt which was stored off-site over this last full year after
deconstruction, but refinements to the timing and procedures will result in
cost and time savings in the second time around build. Live and learn.
Ground breaking ceremony featured (L to R) star California driver
Kyle Larson, pilot of the No. 5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet, Jeremy
Casperson, Director, Civil Engineering, NASCAR Design and
Development, Matt Humphrey, Director, Track Communications, NASCAR,
Kevin Daly, Assistant GM, LA Memorial Coliseum, and Patrick Rogers,
NASCAR VP of Marketing Services. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks
(2022)
Where the changes to the event from 2022 were most noticeable came to timing,
competition, and surrounding entertainment. The overall focus in the purpose
of this event seemed to drift off kilter over the experience achieved last
year where an attendance of around 60,000 people filled the stands and an
estimated 70% had never attended a NASCAR race event before (seems pretty easy
in Los Angeles).
Roughly, about 3 weeks before the second running of the Busch Light Clash At
The Coliseum, musical rap performer, Pittsburg's Wiz Khalifa was announced as
the primary headline artist to perform at the mid-race break of the 150 Lap
main event.
Over four and a half weeks earlier, it was announced that Los Angeles area
(South Gate) rap group Cypress Hill whom were most famous in the early 1990s
winning the 1992 Top Rap Song Of The Year Grammy for their breakout hit "The
Phuncky Feel One" from their self-titled first album, would perform before the
race got started.
Cypress Hill festooned percussionist sets up Eric "Bobo"
Correa's kit just a couple of hours before the South Gate rap
group were to take the stage and the Coliseum. Image Credit: Edmund
Jenks (2023)
In 2022, the lead-in act Pitbull was announced in early December (as was the
support act Cypress Hill for 2023), and in turn Ice Cube, the race break act,
was announced also about 3 weeks from the race. Given just how much Ice Cube
was identified with being a Los Angeles (Straight Outta' Compton) legend, his
addition as the Race-Break entertainment boosted attendance.
Turn It Up As The Generation 7 Platforms Roll-In
The time of the competition was moved to start later so that the main event
150 Laps would be run under the lights of the stadium. What this brought about
was a greater sense of mystery and it allowed impressive accompanying light
show displays during the Wiz Khalifa Race Break show as well as end of race
fireworks - again impressive as it was shot off around the glow from the
Olympic Flame torch that was also lit during the Race Break ceremony.
Downtown Los Angeles at night might have had some folks give second thought
about attending an event in the Coliseum. Football crowds are somewhat
connected and mob-like whereas a group of folks who may be first-timers to a
NASCAR event headlined with entertainment based in a hard scrabble street
culture as Wiz Khalifa solo (non-duo) efforts extoll.
EXAMPLE LYRICS:
Black And Yellow
Uh, black stripe, yellow paint
Them niggas scared of it, but them hoes ain't
Soon as I hit the club, look at them hoes' face
Hit the pedal once, make the floor shake
Suede inside, my engine roarin'
It’s the big boy, you know what I paid for it
And I got the pedal to the metal
Got you niggas checking game, I’m ballin' out on every level
Hear them haters talk, but there’s nothin' you can tell 'em
Just made a million, got another million on my schedule
No love for 'em, nigga breaking hearts
No keys, push to start
[ht: Genius Lyrics]
Last year the Super Bowl was held just West of the LA Coliseum at SoFi
Stadium. This year, next week's Super Bowl will be held in Phoenix. The
halftime act for the 2023 Super Bowl is Rihanna. Too bad Rihanna wasn't
enticed to preview a portion of her show during halftime of the second edition
of the Busch Light Clash At The Coliseum. A recommended choice for such a
showcase would have to be - original Rihanna Video link - "Shut Up and Drive"
(featured on the soundtrack of the 2012 Disney film Wreck-It Ralph, playing
over the scene in which Ralph teaches Vanellope von Schweetz to drive in the
arcade game Sugar Rush).
The race for the second time around was another experience altogether. In
2022, the venue was completely new as was the NextGen (7th generation formula)
racing stockcar. Given the tight track and a new platform, the drivers were
not keen to take big chances. In the 150 lap race, there were 5 Caution
periods. The action began to feel predictable. Joey Logano held off
hard-charging pole winner Kyle Busch to triumph in Sunday’s Busch Light Clash
at the Coliseum. Logano got the lead on Lap 116, moments before Kyle Larson
retaliated against Justin Haley for earlier contact that was not of Haley’s
doing. Larson steered toward the bottom of the track, knocking Haley’s
Chevrolet into the concrete Jersey barrier on the front stretch.
Michael McDowell (spins prior to Turn 3) — Finished 24th: “I don’t
know how many laps under caution we ran, but obviously just a
calculation running the LCQ and a heat race. We just didn’t
anticipate running over 100 laps of caution, so that was
unfortunate. It was a battle out there for sure. I feel good about
how we were able to start near the back and drive up into the top
12, top 13 twice, so our car was good. It’s just a good weekend.
We’ve got a lot of new guys, so it was good to get up to speed and
figure each other out.” Image Credit: Ralph Garcia (2023)
This second bite at the Los Angeles Avocado (as opposed to Apple), drivers
knew just how tough the NextGen platform could be, since it was tested
throughout the 36 race 2022 season, and the phrase "if it ain't rubbin', it
ain't racin'" came to full effect.
The race time went much longer than most in attendance expected largely on the
turn of 16 Caution periods with the majority coming during the second 75 Laps
to finish the race. It was as if there was an understanding the the first 75
Laps we will push and shove, but the hammer drops when the end of the race is
in all of our sights.
Confetti flies in the air as Martin Truex Jr. won NASCAR's exhibition Clash on Sunday night. Truex’s win in the exhibition race comes after he was winless in 2022 for the first time since 2014. Truex had won 29 races from 2015-2021 but had just four top fives and 15 top 10s as he missed the playoffs for the first time since that 2014 season. Image Credit: Black Kat Sports (2023)
In honor of the celebration of the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
being constructed 100 years ago, it was decided to award the
podium finishers of the 2nd edition of Busch Light Clash At
The Coliseum with Olympic style medals -
Martin Truex 1st/Gold, Austin Dillon 2nd/Silver, and Kyle Busch
3rd/Bronze. Jostens produced these exquisite medals, along with the Busch
Light Clash at the Coliseum Trophy that was presented to the
winner of the non-points paying exhibition. Each custom-crafted
keepsake features the Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum logo
beautifully embossed on one side. The other side features the
Coliseum’s centennial mark and the NASCAR 75th Anniversary logo.
Image Credit: Ralph Garcia (2023)
Despite the smaller audience, the race still delivered NASCAR’s largest viewing audience since the
Coca-Cola 600 on FOX last May (3.87M), surprisingly outpacing all of last
season’s playoff races (which aired opposite the NFL). Last year’s season
finale from Phoenix averaged 3.21 million on NBC.
The crowd at the Coliseum was estimated by the LA Times to be around 50,000,
so attendance was off from last year as well.
During the lead up to the Busch Light Clash At The Coliseum, some attendants were able to sign up and pay for a track walk. many who participated were able to leave a note on the painted Start/Finish Line of the temporary track. Image 1 - Shut Up And Sign "... notes from The EDJE." Image 2 - Others inked an opinion - F-RIGHT - that supported oval racing in America as always turning Left. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2023)
To be honest, the current economy is tanking through inflation, which is a
real modifier that effects everyone, especially since wages are not keeping
up with the shifts caused through current economic policies. Attendance was
enthusiastic and stadium-filling, especially for a non-points paying
exhibition race.
The jury was out on coming back to the Los Angeles Coliseum at this time
last year and NASCAR closed in on a decision for year two. Is a year three
in the offing? Only time will tell ... but the overall verdict is that the
event was different, but still very good.
If there is to be another Clash at the Coliseum in 2024, wrap it up in a
celebration of
ASCOT! Bring on
another bite of the LA Avocado!
TAGS: Busch Light Clash, 2023, Los Angeles Coliseum, NASCAR, NextGen, 7th
Generation, Martin Truex, Gold, Austin Dillon, Silver, Kyle Busch,
Bronze, Ralph Garcia, The EDJE
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