WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — With NASCAR moving the Clash to different locations around the country, the discussion has turned to the next destination. Austin Dillon has a unique idea — a 24-hour version of the exhibition race.
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No, the Richard Childress Racing driver isn't saying that NASCAR needs to hold its own endurance race. He wants there to be a NASCAR class in the Rolex 24 at Daytona featuring one car from each team in the Cup Series.
"This car is built for road racing, so I don't understand why we can't run the 24-hour race," Dillon explained. "And each team gets to field a car and see what it'd be like for 24 hours. That'd be a Clash moment.
"I think it's cool. It lets you get with your guys and work things out before the season starts because you're gonna be working on the car throughout the night. And it's a pretty cool team-building opportunity."
If each team fielded an entry in the Clash, how would they set the lineups? That would be a simple enough process as Dillon explained. Each team would just use its lineups.
For example, the Joe Gibbs Racing drivers could share the team's entry. Ty Gibbs, Denny Hamlin, Chase Briscoe, and Christopher Bell could all spend time behind the wheel of one car. The same goes for Hendrick Motorsports, another four-driver team.
The tricky part would be filling the lineups for smaller teams. Richard Childress Racing only has two Cup Series drivers, so would they add Xfinity Series drivers Jesse Love and Austin Hill to the lineup?
What about single-car teams like Hyak Motorsports and Haas Factory Team? Would there be affiliations to keep the list of cars at 23, or would NASCAR expand the field?
Obviously, there would still be some logistics to work out, but Dillon's idea could lead to some crossover between NASCAR and IMSA. Fans of NASCAR could tune in to watch their favorite teams attempt to complete the 24-hour endurance race while battling for bragging rights. This would help both racing series bring in more eyeballs.
To Dillon's other point, a version of the Gen 7 car has already competed in a 24-hour race. The Garage 56 Chevrolet Camaro built by Hendrick Motorsports took part in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2023.
This modified version of the Gen 7 car featuring headlights and other updated components completed 2,413.1 miles with Jimmie Johnson, Jenson Button, and Mike Rockenfeller behind the wheel.
Hendrick Motorsports and NASCAR showed that it was possible to complete a prestigious endurance race with a version of the Gen 7 car. The sanctioning body has also shown a willingness to branch out with its top series.
Is this the recipe for an IMSA/NASCAR crossover at the Rolex 24 at Daytona? Dillon would certainly like to see this happen, but the answer remains unknown.
Even if this idea doesn't pan out, Dillon still wants to see NASCAR continue experimenting with the season-opening exhibition event as it did with the Daytona Road Course and the LA Memorial Coliseum.
He would certainly like to see the Clash head to the Dallas Cowboys' stadium in Texas as a personal preference, but he would also be happy with a mixture of venues that could bring in new fans.
"I think the arena-style racing is interesting and can bring another fan base to the sport, and get more people involved. (It's) easier, obviously, (with) the stadiums that are in the U.S. and around the world," Dillon said.
"I think it's always cool what we can do with this racecar. It seems to go to some interesting places and make it work."
