Caleb Williams named honorary starter for NASCAR's Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum

USC quarterback Caleb Williams provided Trojans fans with plenty of highlights at LA Memorial Coliseum this past season. Now he’ll get another memorable moment to start 2023, albeit away from the football field.

Williams will serve as the honorary starter for NASCAR’s Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum on Feb. 5, it was announced via Twitter on Sunday. Instead of taking snaps under center, the Trojans star will be tasked with waving the green flag to start the race.

Of course, Williams won the Heisman Trophy this past season after throwing for 4,537 yards and 42 touchdowns, which led the country. He quarterbacked the Trojans to an 11-3 finish, though they lost their final two games in both the Pac-12 Championship and Cotton Bowl. Despite the disappointing finish, Williams is set to return for his junior season in 2023, where he’ll hope to build upon his first season in Los Angeles.

Caleb Williams won’t be the only star at the Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum, however. Rapper Wiz Khalifa is set to perform at the event, along with the hip-hop group Cypress Hill.

This race is an annual pre-season race that’s held every February just before the Daytona 500. This year is just the second that the race is being held in Los Angeles, as it was previously held in Daytona from 1979-2022.

It was announced earlier this month that 27 cars will compete in the main event. Preceding that, up to 40 drivers will compete to qualify for the main event via four heat races and two last-chance qualifiers.

The 2023 Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum main event will begin at 8 p.m. ET on Feb. 5 and will be televised on FOX. Practice and qualifying will take place the day prior at 6 p.m. ET.