LOS ANGELES – Joey Logano arrived at the first event of the season with a jet black mop of thick hair and a banner in the stands promoting the company that treats the reigning NASCAR Champion for alopecia and early balding.
“Ask Joey!” The Hairclub company urged a banner draped in the lower bowl of the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The voluminous tresses on the two-time champion were the talk of NASCAR’s offseason, a brief hiatus from December’s awards show to Sunday’s Busch Light Clash exhibit at the Coliseum.
In the eight weeks since he picked up his second trophy, and on Saturday when he dragged his No. 2 Team Penske Ford into the Coliseum, Logano underwent a procedure that gave him a full head of hair for the first time in a decade.
On Saturday, he did not reveal whether he received implants, but raved about the change in his appearance. Logano also said that many drivers have been reaching out to him with questions since he unveiled his new look.
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“They had a solution for me, probably they have a solution for everyone, and that’s how I look 10 years younger,” said the 32-year-old father of three. “I’m back to the old days. I’m back. I look and feel better.”
Logano begins his championship reign where it began last season: Logano was the winner of last year’s first Clash at the Coliseum. It was a radical experiment that NASCAR attempted, moving its exhibition inaugural race from its only previous home, Daytona International Speedway, to a temporary track built at the University of Southern California’s legendary football stadium.
NASCAR added a halftime show performed by Ice Cube, filled the stands with a younger, curious crowd, and thrived with a flawless show.
“Last year it was one of the biggest risks, if not the biggest risk our sport has ever taken,” said Logano. “I was very nervous. That could be really bad for the sport and it was great. I would win the Clash last year, I almost consider it one of my greatest wins and I don’t think there are many races where there aren’t points you would ever say that about.”
So it was a bit strange that NASCAR would return to the Coliseum for a second year and try to repeat that success on Sunday. The event is a warm-up for the season-opening Daytona 500 on February 19, but after the Coliseum performed so well last year, NASCAR was theoretically emboldened to try something completely different.
“I think that opened a lot of doors that probably wouldn’t have opened in the past because when I came here last year I really thought this was going to be a joke,” said Kevin Harvick. “And it was probably one of the races I enjoyed the most last year. The atmosphere, it was a great event and I think when we come back this year everyone is looking forward to it.”
NASCAR for this second edition booked Cypress Hill for the pre-race concert and Wiz Khalifa will play the halftime show. Cheat Codes, a popular DJ group, will be providing entertainment during the warning breaks. Dixie D’Amelio is scheduled for a special appearance. Rob Lowe is the Grand Marshal.
NASCAR put mufflers on the cars for Sunday to deaden the rumble and give spectators a chance to both engage in conversation in the Coliseum and enjoy the musical performances.
The tweak is another attempt by NASCAR to break out of its mold and reach new audiences. It will do it again in July when NASCAR hosts its first-ever street race in downtown Chicago. NASCAR has committed to using mufflers in Chicago as well.
But the return to the Colosseum for a second year could also be calculated.
Dave Allen, the president of Auto Club Speedway in nearby Fontana, said Saturday the track will not be raced in 2024 as it is being rebuilt to a new configuration. Allen couldn’t even guarantee that the track would be ready by 2025.
Before the Clash came to Los Angeles last year, racing at the Auto Club was NASCAR’s only stop in Southern California. The Coliseum may host a points-paying cup race in 2024 to maintain NASCAR’s presence in the area while the Fontana track undergoes renovations.
“I think it’s a great place,” said Brad Keselowski, co-owner of RFK Racing. “The potential here is to do so many different things – points races or taking the idea to other venues. I think there is certainly a lot of industry respect to be earned in a year that opens numerous doors and opportunities.
“I know I’m quite open minded both as a driver and as an owner and I look forward to seeing it.”
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