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NASCAR Clash predictions: Our 3 experts pick the winner of the Clash at the LA Coliseum

nick gray, nashville tennessean
·2 min read
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The NASCAR Cup Series season begins with the non-points paying Busch Light Clash at The LA Coliseum on Sunday.

The season begins in earnest in two weeks in Daytona, but Sunday's race at the quarter-mile track in Los Angeles will be a dress rehearsal for teams that have undergone changes (and for those who haven't, either). Hendersonville's Josh Berry makes his debut in the No. 4 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford this weekend as he replaces the retired Kevin Harvick.

Martin Truex Jr. won the race last year, while Joey Logano won the debut race at the track in 2022.

With weather permitting, here's who our experts like to take the checkered flag on Sunday:

NASCAR Clash predictions

Mike Organ, sports reporter: Ryan Blaney, No. 12 Team Penske Racing Ford

Blaney has serious momentum after matching a career high with three wins in 2023. He took the checkered flag at Talladega, Charlotte and Martinsville. Two of those victories came in the playoffs. It was a breakthrough year for the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series champion. He was best at the end of the season in 2023 so his next step is to get off to a better start in 2024 by winning the Clash where he has been decent in the past, but not great.

Nick Gray, trending sports reporter: Brad Keselowski, No. 6 Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing Ford

I am a big believer in Year 3 of the RFK Racing era, and Chris Buescher and Brad Keselowski are on my list of title favorites. So much of this race will depend on how well cars will qualify, so this week is going to be a crapshoot more than most. This would be a good time for a big splash for Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing to start the season, especially with the way the No. 6 and 17 cars have run recently in pack racing tracks like Daytona.

Tom Kreager, high school sports editor: Kyle Larson, No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet

Larson has been as steady as anyone since the Busch Light Clash moved to The Coliseum in 2022. Larson has two fifth-place finishes. Hendricks Motorsports had a fine showing in the 2023 Clash with teammates Kyle Busch placing third and Alex Bowman finishing fourth. That should resonate over in 2024.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: NASCAR Clash predictions: Our experts pick the winner of the Clash