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Revving Up the Game: An Inside Look at NASCAR’s Overhaul of the Circuit of the Americas

Carl Harrison by Carl Harrison
March 1, 2025
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 2 mins read
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Revving Up the Game: An Inside Look at NASCAR’s Overhaul of the Circuit of the Americas

Mar 24, 2024; Austin, Texas, USA; A general view of the field moving through corners 5 and 6 during the NASCAR Cup Series EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Nestled in the heart of the Lone Star State, just outside Austin, Texas, sits the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) – a Grade 1 FIA-specification track that has earned a prominent place in the pantheon of North American road courses. Since its inception in 2012, COTA has been a pivotal venue for a smorgasbord of high-speed spectacles, including the United States Grand Prix of the Formula 1, NASCAR’s venerated Cup and Xfinity Series races, the Motorcycle Grand Prix of the Americas in MotoGP, and the FIA World Endurance Championship’s Lone Star Le Mans.

COTA’s enthralling elevation changes, demanding turns, and adrenaline-pumping action have cemented its status as a fan-favorite. Initially conceived for Formula 1 racing, the venue is on the cusp of a major transformation ahead of the 2025 NASCAR EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix and the Focused Health 250.

In 2021, COTA made its grand entrance into the NASCAR calendar, marking a groundbreaking shift in stock car racing as it pivoted towards road course racing. This transition has seen COTA become a regular feature on the Cup and Xfinity Series roster, captivating fans with its high-octane motorsport showdowns.

The original brainchild of Hermann Tilke, the track layout of COTA is a 3.426-mile road-course, boasting 20 challenging turns. The design includes a steep hill section reminiscent of the famed Eau Rouge from Belgium’s Spa-Francorchamps, another celebrated Formula 1 track. The design was conceived with the collaboration of promoter Tavo Hellmund and 1993 Motorcycle World Champion Kevin Schwantz. Tilke’s portfolio extends beyond COTA to other iconic circuits like the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, the Istanbul Racing Circuit, and the Bahrain International Circuit. The unique design of COTA tests drivers with its fast straights and tight corners, offering numerous overtaking opportunities and the thrilling prospect of potential wrecks.

However, COTA is ready to embrace a new era with a dramatic overhaul ahead of the 2025 EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix. The updated configuration trims the track size down to a 2.3-mile, 20-turn National Course, a significant reduction from the previous 3.41-mile layout. This change means the Cup Series race will feature an additional 27 laps, guaranteeing fans a higher dose of action, drama, and controversy on the racetrack.

The revamp involves cutting off the protracted straightaways after the esses and taking a left turn, which, while slowing the cars, is anticipated to make the overall lap time faster. A new element of unpredictability is introduced with Turn 6A, requiring drivers to maneuver at almost a 90-degree angle. This turn, already being dubbed the ‘calamity corner,’ is expected to be a hot spot for potential wrecks.

Looking at NASCAR’s schedule at COTA, the action kicks off with the Xfinity Series practice on Friday, February 28th, at 5 pm ET, followed by qualifying an hour later. The Cup Series practice then takes the baton at 11 am ET on Saturday, March 1st, followed by qualifying at 12:30 pm. The Focused Health 250 is slated to begin at 2:30 pm ET, and fans can catch the race broadcasted live on the CW channel. The EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix takes center stage on Sunday, March 2nd, at 3:30 pm ET, with FOX providing the live broadcast.

As COTA gears up for its road course revamp, fans and drivers alike wait in anticipation, ready for a new chapter in NASCAR’s thrilling tale.

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