By Rory Carroll
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – NASCAR’s first-of-its-kind race on a temporary asphalt track inside LA Memorial Coliseum on Sunday led drivers to offer their thoughts on where similar events could be staged in the future.
Joey Logano beat Kyle Busch to win the season-opening exhibition race at the century-old venue in downtown Los Angeles, which has hosted Olympics and Super Bowls but never a NASCAR event.
“I can’t believe we’re here,” Logano said after earning his second career win of a Clash event on a sun-soaked day in Southern California.
“This is an amazing event. Congratulations to NASCAR. This is such a huge step in our industry to be able to do this and to put on an amazing race for everybody. I’m out of breath. I’m so excited about this. It was a big win.”
Third place finisher Austin Dillon suggested NASCAR build a temporary track inside the home of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas.
Others saw opportunities for NASCAR to expand its reach overseas.
“For me, I look at the NFL and what they do in London,” said Kevin Harvick, who finished in 10th place.
“In order to really open doors, I think Wembley Stadium would be fun. I think everyone wants to do something but the weather has to be different.”
NASCAR officials said they are exploring a variety of options.
“Everything is open,” Chief Racing Development Officer Steve O’Donnell told reporters after the race.
“We’ve proven we can go to a cool stadium with a track around it and we know what to do, we can get in and out,” he said.
“Ben, if he hasn’t already, is already studying the footprints of a lot of different stadiums in the U.S.,” said O’Donnell, referring to NASCAR Senior Vice President of Strategy and Innovation Ben Kennedy.
“What works, what may not work. But we’re also pretty happy here.”
NASCAR now moves on the Daytona 500, which will be held in two weeks.
(Additional reporting by Lewis Franck; Editing by Stephen Coates)
