The Clash returns to Daytona

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — NASCAR’s season-opening exhibition race is returning to its longtime home in 2027.

The Wheatley Vodka Clash will take place Saturday, Feb. 13, at Daytona International Speedway, launching Speedweeks Presented by AdventHealth and marking the event’s first appearance at the World Center of Racing since 2021.

Daytona’s 2.5-mile, high-banked superspeedway hosted The Clash from its inception in 1979 through 2020. Erik Jones won the final edition contested on the oval before the event moved to Daytona’s road course in 2021, where Kyle Busch took the victory.

The race was subsequently held at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum from 2022 through 2024 and at Bowman Gray Stadium in 2025 and 2026.

“The pairing of a fan-favorite event like The Clash with a premier vodka brand in Wheatley American Vodka is the perfect way to welcome home one of NASCAR’s most beloved traditions,” Daytona International Speedway President Frank Kelleher said.

Kelleher said the event will add another highlight to Speedweeks as excitement builds toward the 69th running of the DAYTONA 500 on Sunday, Feb. 21.

The race’s return comes alongside a new multiyear partnership between NASCAR, Daytona International Speedway and Wheatley American Vodka. Under the agreement, the American-made spirit will become the Official Vodka of NASCAR and the entitlement partner of The Clash.

The 2027 Speedweeks schedule will run for nine days, beginning with the Wheatley Vodka Clash and concluding with the DAYTONA 500. The week will also feature NASCAR Cup Series qualifying, the Duel at Daytona and season-opening races for the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series, NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and ARCA Menards Series.

Bert Kreischer’s “Full Throttle Festival” will also return to the Ocean Center Convention Center on Saturday, Feb. 20. The DAYTONA 500 eve celebration will include a lineup of music and comedy selected by Kreischer.

2027 Speedweeks schedule

• Saturday, Feb. 13 — Wheatley Vodka Clash

• Wednesday, Feb. 17 — DAYTONA 500 Qualifying Presented by Busch Light

• Thursday, Feb. 18 — NASCAR Cup Series Duel at Daytona

• Friday, Feb. 19 — NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race

• Saturday, Feb. 20 — NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and ARCA Menards Series races

• Sunday, Feb. 21 — NASCAR Cup Series DAYTONA 500

Daytona International Speedway’s second NASCAR weekend of 2027 will take place Aug. 27–28. The NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series will race Friday, followed by the Cup Series Coke Zero Sugar 400 on Saturday.

Before then, Daytona will host the 2026 Coke Zero Sugar 400 weekend Aug. 28–29. The Winn-Dixie 250 Powered by Coca-Cola will open the weekend Friday night, followed by the Cup Series regular-season finale at 7:30 p.m. ET Saturday.

DAYTONA 500 champion Tyler Reddick will enter that event with an opportunity to join an exclusive group. Reddick, who delivered 23XI Racing its first DAYTONA 500 victory earlier in the season, could become only the sixth driver—and the first since Jimmie Johnson in 2013—to win the DAYTONA 500 and Coke Zero Sugar 400 in the same year.

Fans attending Daytona events can choose from several hospitality options, including the recently introduced NASCAR 1948 experience. The premium package offers behind-the-scenes access, dedicated parking and transportation, elevated dining and concierge service.

Tickets and additional information about the Coke Zero Sugar 400 and 2027 Speedweeks are available through Daytona International Speedway or by calling 1-800-PITSHOP.