CONCORD, N.C. – The first taste of NASCAR Cup Series racing in 2018 comes early this February with The Clash at Daytona International Speedway.
The Feb. 11 exhibition race caps a day that begins with qualifying for the 60th annual Daytona 500.
The 75-lap event will be divided into two segments, with a competition caution at Lap 25 separating the stages.
And the field has been set based on eligibility criteria – drivers who were 2017 pole award winners, former Clash race winners, former Daytona 500 pole winners who competed full-time in 2017 and 2017 Cup Series playoffs drivers.
That makes Chase Elliott and Jimmie Johnson the two 2018 Hendrick Motorsports drivers among those eligible to compete in The Clash, which airs on FOX Sports 1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio at 3 p.m. ET on Feb. 11.
“A double-header, featuring The Clash and Daytona 500 qualifying, is a great way to start the 2018 season,” said Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR executive vice president and chief racing development officer. “The urgency created by the non-points race sets a tone for the season, providing a strong preview of the competition we expect will be a mainstay all year long.”