NASCAR revealed the official format for the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series Busch Light Clash, which will be contested again at the LA Memorial Coliseum. For the most part, the format will remain nearly the same as last year, but there were a couple of minor tweaks announced on Tuesday.
The most major change from last year is that the final starting field for the Main Event will be 23 cars in the 2024 edition of the Clash, down from 27 in 2023. Fewer cars making it to the big show, in theory, should add additional intensity in the Heat Races and Last Chance Qualifier (LCQ) event for those attempting to make the field for the Main Event.
The LCQ has been slightly changed as well. Last year, the event featured two 50-lap LCQ races, where the top-three from both races advanced to the Main Event. This year, there will be just one LCQ, and only the top-two drivers from the 75-lap LCQ will advance to the Main Event.
Starting lineups for the Heat races will be determined by final practice speeds this year. Last season, there was a single-car qualifying session, but that has been scrapped for 2024.
As for the Heat Races, there will be no changes to them for this year. There will be four 25-lap Heat Races set for Saturday, February 3rd. Caution laps will not count in the Heat Races.
The top-five finishing drivers from the four Heat Races will advance to Sunday’s Busch Light Clash Main Event.
20 drivers will advance to the Main Event from the Heat Races, two from the LCQ, and the driver that finished highest in championship points in 2023, but still isn’t locked in following the LCQ, will receive a provisional to bring the field to 23 entries.
Here is the full 2024 Busch Light Clash Starting Lineup Format
| Starting Position | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 1 | winner Heat 1 |
| 2 | winner Heat 2 |
| 3 | winner Heat 3 |
| 4 | winner Heat 4 |
| 5 | 2nd place Heat 1 |
| 6 | 2nd place Heat 2 |
| 7 | 2nd place Heat 3 |
| 8 | 2nd place Heat 4 |
| 9 | 3rd place Heat 1 |
| 10 | 3rd place Heat 2 |
| 11 | 3rd place Heat 3 |
| 12 | 3rd place Heat 4 |
| 13 | 4th place Heat 1 |
| 14 | 4th place Heat 2 |
| 15 | 4th place Heat 3 |
| 16 | 4th place Heat 4 |
| 17 | 5th place Heat 1 |
| 18 | 5th place Heat 2 |
| 19 | 5th place Heat 3 |
| 20 | 5th place Heat 4 |
| 21 | winner LCQ |
| 22 | 2nd place LCQ |
| 23 | 2023 points provisional |
The 2024 Busch Light Clash exhibition Main Event will feature 150 laps (37.5 miles) and only green flag laps will count during the event. The race will have one timed stoppage at the mid-way point on Lap 75, and the race must end under green flag conditions.
The Busch Light Clash at the LA Memorial Coliseum is set for Sunday, February 4th with television coverage beginning at 8:00 PM ET on FOX.
