The Cup Series traditionally opens with the ‘Clash,’ a unique exhibition race unlike anything SVG has experienced in his NASCAR career so far. Designed to build hype for the season and the upcoming Daytona 500, the event follows a unique (and confusing) format.

If you’re struggling to wrap your head around how it all works—don’t worry, you’re not alone. Here’s a breakdown:

Only 23 drivers will take part in the 200-lap feature race, with the field determined by a series of four 25-lap heat races throughout the weekend.
The fastest driver in final practice will start on pole for Heat 1. The second-fastest driver will start on pole for Heat 2, the third-fastest for Heat 3, and so on.
The top five finishers from each heat will secure a spot in Sunday night’s main event.
For those who don’t qualify through the heats, there’s one last shot: a 75-lap Last Chance Qualifier (LCQ) on Sunday afternoon. The top two finishers from the LCQ will claim the 21st and 22nd grid spots for the feature race.
The final (23rd) starting position will be awarded to the highest-placed driver in the 2024 standings who hasn’t already qualified.

Sunday night’s 200-lap main event grid will be set based on the heat race results, with the Heat 1 winner starting on pole and the Heat 2 winner alongside in P2.

Adding to the chaos, the Bowman Gray-style oval is only a quarter-mile (400m) long. That means squeezing 23 NASCAR machines, each packing 500kW, onto what is essentially a running track—so expect plenty of action.

Meanwhile, Marco Giltrap and William Exton are back in action this weekend for Round 3 of GT New Zealand at Teretonga. The duo have won both of the season’s rounds so far and will be looking to extend their streak of success.

Across the ditch, experienced GT racer Brendon Leitch will take on The Mountain for the iconic Bathurst 12 Hour, driving a Lamborghini Huracán GT3 for Wall Racing.

Follow Giltrap Group Motorsport all of the latest updates across the weekend.