Sunday’s event at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum began with four heat races to determine the starting lineup of the 23-car Clash field, a non-points event held for the first time on a temporary track inside the historic stadium. Kyle Larson, driver of the No. 5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet ZL1, started second in the fourth heat and finished second in that 25-lap preliminary event – earning the eighth starting spot for the 150-lap Clash event.
Once the green flag flew for the main event, the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series champion gained positions. While battling a car with “no forward drive” off the corner, Larson was still able to move up three positions before the halfway break at lap 75.
Once the race restarted, Larson made a daring three-wide pass on the short track to move up to second. But he was unable to hold the spot – again battling a loose condition on corner exit – and dropped to fifth before the checkered flag waved in the season-opening event.
Quoting Kyle Larson
“This inaugural event in this stadium was an awesome experience all around. This event was really neat and a blast, and I hope we can do more of these types of events.
“We battled with the lack of drive off all weekend. I was just too free yesterday and today. I never had a problem turning the car, and I think it just turned too good.”
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