In addition, with the intent to use the seventh-generation car for the 2021 season (which was delayed a year because of the 10-week suspension of season after the March Phoenix round), NASCAR used the road course move in order to alleviate issues after numerous major crashes marred the past two Clashes by having teams use the sixth-generation car on the road course.

NASCAR has said the changed criteria for the clash was in response to the COVID-19 pandemic which has led to most races in the 2020 Cup Series season to held without qualifying.

By lap 28, he had retaken the lead, with a caution coming out shortly after for Cole Custer’s car catching fire after an engine issue.

After the restart, Truex spun in a similar fashion to Kevin Harvick earlier in the race, bringing out the caution once more.

Blaney spun while third-place Kyle Busch passed a slowed Elliott win the race, despite not having led any laps beforehand.