Anheuser-Busch and Daytona International Speedway announced this week that Busch Beer will return as the title sponsor for the season-opening exhibition race in 2020. It will be the first time since 1997 that the race will revert back to its original name, the Busch Clash at Daytona.
Anheuser-Busch’s relationship with NASCAR began in 1978 as the sponsor for the Busch Pole Award. The following year, they expanded their sponsorship with the Busch Clash at Daytona. They continued to sponsor the event through 2011 but it went through some changes to the name including the Bud Shootout and the Budweiser Shootout.
The Clash has always been a favorite for watching NASCAR’s best compete head to head. Racing and gaming fans who love to play the odds can visit the Online Casino and Poker Portal for the best online resources.
The race has also undergone several format changes. The first Clash in 1979 was 20 laps, pit stops were not required and caution laps did not count. Buddy Baker won the first event in the No. 28 Ranier-Lundy Oldsmobile.
Daytona President Chip Wile spoke about the significance of returning to the original name, saying, “Busch Beer will forever be linked to the history of The Clash and we are thrilled to welcome them back as we collectively drive excitement for the start of the 2020 season. Our brand-loyal fans have been awaiting Busch’s return to The Clash for years and we expect this will rekindle memories and help set the stage for the next generation of NASCAR fans.”
Nick Kelly, vice president partnerships, beer category and community, Anheuser-Busch, said, “Becoming a NASCAR Cup Series Premier Partner afforded us the opportunity to evolve our presence in the sport, and authentically connect our deep-rooted history in NASCAR to its future. We’re looking forward to enjoying the Busch Clash with all the fans who’ve waited, and asked, for the return of the original race name.”
The Busch Clash will return on Feb. 9, 2020 at 3 p.m. ET and will be televised on FS1 with radio coverage by MSN Radio and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. It wil be a 75-lap/187.5 mile race featuring 20 drivers. Eligible drivers are 2019 Busch Pole Award winners, past Busch Clash winners who competed full-time in 2019, former Daytona 500 champions who competed full-time in 2019, former Daytona 500 pole winners who competed full time in 2019 and the 2019 Cup Series Playoff drivers.
Drivers Eligible for 2020 Busch Clash at Daytona:
| NO. | DRIVER | HOW QUALIFIED |
| 1. | Aric Almirola | One Busch Pole Award in 2019 |
| 2. | Ryan Blaney | One Busch Pole Award in 2019 |
| 3. | Alex Bowman | Former Daytona 500 Pole Winner |
| 4. | Clint Bowyer | One Busch Pole Award in 2019 |
| 5. | Kyle Busch | One Busch Pole Award in 2019 |
| 6. | Kurt Busch | Former Clash Race Winner |
| 7. | William Byron | Five Busch Pole Awards in 2019 |
| 8. | Austin Dillon | Three Busch Pole Awards in 2019 |
| 9. | Chase Elliott | Four Busch Pole Awards in 2019 |
| 10. | Denny Hamlin | Three Busch Pole Awards in 2019 |
| 11. | Kevin Harvick | Six Busch Pole Awards in 2019 |
| 12. | Daniel Hemric | One Busch Pole Award in 2019 |
| 13. | Jimmie Johnson | One Busch Pole Award in 2019 |
| 14. | Erik Jones | 2019 Cup Series Playoffs |
| 15. | Brad Keselowski | Three Busch Pole Awards in 2019 |
| 16. | Kyle Larson | One Busch Pole Award in 2019 |
| 17. | Joey Logano | Two Busch Pole Awards in 2019 |
| 18. | Ryan Newman | Former Daytona 500 Race Winner |
| 19. | Daniel Suarez | One Busch Pole Award in 2019 |
| 20. | Martin Truex Jr. | Former Daytona 500 Pole Winner |
