In 2020, Busch Beer returned to assume naming rights for the race, once again dubbing it the Busch Clash. The 2017 race was delayed to Sunday due to persistent rain, marking the first time the race has been run during the day since 2006. In 2017, the race was renamed the Advance Auto Parts Clash after Advance Auto Parts signed a multi-year deal to sponsor the event. The 2013 race (renamed the Sprint Unlimited at Daytona) introduced a new format incorporating the results of fan voting into certain aspects of the race. It stands as the fastest sanctioned race in the history of NASCAR (though it was not an official points-paying event). The 1987 race, won by Bill Elliott, was completed at an average speed of 197.802 mph. The Busch Clash allowed the Winston Cup regulars to kick off the week live on CBS. Previously, the weekend before the Daytona 500 featured only minor support events, and the Winston Cup competitors ordinarily would not have taken to the track until Wednesday.
The event was also seen as a way to expand the Speedweeks activities leading up to the Daytona 500. Likewise, at no time have pole winners earned bonus championship points.
The race established an incentive for drivers to earn pole positions during the NASCAR season, which up to that time, still offered relatively tiny cash prizes. Inviting the fastest drivers from the previous season headlined the event as the "fastest race" of the season. The initial format was set up as a 50-mile sprint race, with no pit stops, with a field consisting of the previous season's pole position winners. His experiences led him to believe that racing fans were loyal brand followers. Roberts had been successful introducing Mercury into racing while working at Ford, and had also been a part of Ontario Motor Speedway. And the race was seen as a way to promote the new brand.
Roberts was the brand manager of the newly formed Busch Beer (which had formerly been Busch Bavarian Beer). The event was first known as the Busch Clash and was the brain child of Monty Roberts. The defending winner of the Clash at Daytona is Erik Jones after winning in 2020. Only drivers who were Daytona Pole Award winners, former Clash race winners, former Daytona 500 pole winners who competed full-time in 2017, and drivers who qualified for the 2016 Playoffs are eligible. The 2017 Clash at Daytona was not a predetermined number of cars rather, the field is limited to drivers who meet more exclusive criteria. Instead it offers a large cash purse, an arrangement that is designed to encourage participants to use the kind of all-out driving styles that are not typically seen in regular-season races. Like the All-Star Race held at Charlotte, the race awards no championship points. In its current format it is made up of two segments, a 25 lap start that then culminates in a 50 lap final segment. The race originally consisted of a 20-lap/50-mile, "all-out sprint" for the previous season's pole position winners (considered the de facto "fastest drivers on the circuit").
It is the first competitive event of the season and serves as a kickoff event for the NASCAR portion of Speedweeks.
The Busch Clash is an annual invitation-only NASCAR Cup Series exhibition event held at Daytona International Speedway in February, the week before the Daytona 500. Auto race held at Daytona, United States Template:SHORTDESC:Auto race held at Daytona, United States Busch Clash