“That’s It?”

February is here, and so is NASCAR. Preparations for the Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum have finished, and it seems like 2024 might be the venue’s final year hosting the season-opener. With the LA Memorial Coliseum’s contract with NASCAR expiring in 2025, NASCAR might have to search for a new host soon enough. However, in recent news, the collective purse of the Clash has taken the spotlight away from the pre-existing issues.

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NASCAR had already been criticized for including Machine Gun Kelly as a performer at the race break. And the latest announcement from FOX Sports reporter Bob Pockrass has given them even more reasons to be disappointed. While drivers like Kyle Larson have highlighted the financial problems in NASCAR previously, no one would have thought it was this bad.

Is NASCAR prioritizing cost-cutting?

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Pockrass revealed that NASCAR has finalized a total amount of $2.21 million that will be split among the 40 drivers participating in the race. The amount should have been higher because it is a merit-based payout system where higher finishes guarantee a higher portion of the purse. Compared to the next race in the schedule, the prestigious Daytona 500, the Clash at the Coliseum could have been better executed.

With big names like Canelo Alvarez, MGK, and Dillon Francis set to grace the grand venue on February 4, fans were perhaps expecting more financial incentives for the participants.

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The overall purse (total $$ for all positions) for the Clash: $2,210,000

— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) January 31, 2024

On another note, the prize money might also dissatisfy the drivers as race purses have been an ongoing issues for quite a while and the matter has also been raised with the governing body in the past. As a season opener with multiple celebrity attractions and fans rushing to the Coliseum after awaiting Cup Series action, many have opined that NASCAR indeed could have done better in the financial department.

The anguish has spread to the fandom as well. The comments section of Bob Pockrass’ tweet was filled with disappointed fans taking digs at NASCAR and questioning the announcement.

Fans are shocked by NASCAR’s cost-cutting

Expressing their dismay at the unsatisfactory financial incentives in the Clash at the Coliseum, one of the fans tweeted, “That’s it?” The comment signifies the emotions of a majority of the fanbase. Throughout the off-season, NASCAR built the hype around the race, which excited some fans. Apart from the criticism for MGK’s appearance, fans were otherwise convinced that their favorite drivers would be pleased to return to Cup Series racing. However, the situation seems a bit different now.

A fan took a sarcastic dig at NASCAR’s decision not to host Truck Series races in Clash at the Coliseum, citing a hilarious purse. His comment read, “It’s a good thing the Truck Series doesn’t have a Clash. The overall purse would be around 7k and one free 12-pack of beer.”

NASCAR might have given the fans a clue about the reduced costs of the 2024 Clash event. Compared to the previous editions of the race, NASCAR has had a relatively shorter prep time and used far fewer resources this time. Hinting at the same, another fan tweeted, “Remind me, Bob, how much did they spend on building the track this year?”

That just means that we’re going to see 412 commercials during a one hour race, NASCAR is so sad lately

— JerkyMaker Ron (@JerkymakerR) January 31, 2024

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“Looks like nascar ran out of money after that Netflix show,” wrote another fan joking that NASCAR has spent its financial reserves in its collaboration with Netflix for the NASCAR: Full Speed documentary.

Acute finances could demotivate the drivers from putting on a show in the Clash at the Coliseum. With the situation appearing to be lackluster even before its commencement, it is only natural for the fans to direct their grievances to the decision-making body.

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