NASCAR has officially put the finishing touches on the 2027 Daytona 500 Week schedule, and the biggest change is one fans have been begging for: a much shorter wait between the season-opening exhibition race and the Great American Race itself.
According to the announcement, the 2027 Wheatley Vodka Clash—no longer the Busch Clash—will roar to life on Saturday night, Feb. 13. That puts it just eight days before the Daytona 500, a dramatic shift from the previous two-week gap that had become a sore spot for many in the sport. The move effectively restores the traditional "Speedweeks" feel, packing more action into a tighter window.
Reaction from the NASCAR community has been overwhelmingly positive. One fan wrote, "Finally!" while another added, "So speedweek is back for real???? Now lets bring the all-star race back to CHARLOTTE." The enthusiasm extends to the venue itself: "Clash needs to stay at Daytona for eternity. No Los Angeles, no Bowman Gray, stays right here," said another.
The Clash will run on the oval, with eligibility for the invitation-only event still to be determined. Interestingly, the late Kyle Busch won the last Clash at Daytona back in 2021—a race that took place on the road course. That nugget drew a wry comment from Fox News, which noted, "Yes, Kyle Busch won a road course race. Amazing. Man, I miss him."
Not everyone is thrilled, though. One fan expressed disappointment, saying, "For the first time in a while, I won’t be at Daytona 500 weekend next year. The 2027 Nate world tour may have some new destinations so it was more cost effective to just do Rolex 24 week and look into trying some tracks I’ve never been to. Watch this space."
The schedule change also echoes a broader conversation about how NASCAR structures its season. As Daytona's 2027 schedule shake-up shows, the track continues to evolve its calendar, even as it holds onto its crown jewel status. Fans have also been vocal about other aspects of the sport, from NASCAR's throwback posts to the return of traditional elements like preseason thunder and the random draw for the Clash lineup.
With the Clash now snug against the 500, the 2027 Speedweeks promises to be a nonstop, high-octane week of racing. For those who live for the build-up, it's a welcome return to form. As one fan put it, "All we need is preseason thunder and the random Q draw for the clash and SPEEDWEEKS IS BACK."
While some may still grumble about the cost of attending, the overwhelming sentiment is clear: the shorter gap is a win for fans and drivers alike. The 2027 Daytona 500 Week is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated in recent memory.
