The second Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum was nothing short of chaotic from start to finish.
As the dust settled, Martin Truex Jr. led the final 24 laps en route to winning his first career Clash.
“It was just a really good race car.,” Truex told Fox Sports. “Last year was a pretty rough season for us with no wins. To kick it off this way was great for these guys. We found ourselves in the right spot at the end.”
Though it was an exhibition race, it was Truex’s first taste of victory in the Cup Series since Richmond of 2021.
It looked to be a potential surprise winner in Stewart-Haas Racing’s Ryan Preece, who charged to the lead with 68 laps to go.
However, an electrical issue with 20 laps to go dropped the No. 41 down to seventh by race’s end.
It was a stellar day for a revamped Richard Childress Racing, with 10th-year driver Austin Dillon bringing the No. 3 home in second, while former Joe Gibbs Racing driver Kyle Busch finished in third aboard the No. 8 Chevrolet.
23XI Racing’s Bubba Wallace looked to be a favorite throughout the feature, after leading the field to the halfway break.
Though a punt from Dillon while battling for second with seven laps to go sent Wallace into the wall. Wallace would finish a disappointing 22nd.
Key Points
The race consisted of 16 caution flags, more than triple the amount of last year’s inaugural Clash at the Coliseum (5).
Todd Gilliland tagged Kevin Harvick with 72 laps to go, sending the No. 4 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford spinning. Harvick, who enters his farewell season as a driver, would rebound to finish 12th.
The race’s first caution was brought out by Legacy Motor Club’s Erik Jones, after contact with Michael McDowell bent the tow link of the No. 43 machine. Jones would finish last in 27th.
It was a rough evening for 2020 Cup Series champion Chase Elliott, who had to secure a spot in the main event through one of the last chance qualifiers. After starting 22nd, the driver of the No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet struggled for the majority of the feature, finishing 21st.
For the second consecutive season, both RFK Racing Ford’s failed to qualify for the Clash, after driver’s Brad Keselowski and Chris Buescher failed to advance through the heat races and last chance qualifiers.
Keyword: Truex Jr. Survives Chaotic Clash To Win