As the NASCAR community collectively holds its breath, the much-anticipated weather update for the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) has finally arrived, dashing hopes of a repeat of the thrilling rain-soaked races of years past.
The NASCAR Cup Series, on its second expedition to Austin, Texas, had previously been greeted by heavy downpours from an unrelenting Mother Nature. Far from dampening spirits, the racers reveled in it. The rain-induced adrenaline rush of 2021’s race at COTA, along with the recent modifications to the track layout and Goodyear tires, had many yearning for another round of wet-weather racing.
Who could forget the exhilarating scene back in 2021, when our beloved Cup Series champions reveled in the deluge? The 3.41-mile COTA racetrack was thoroughly drenched ahead of the main race, with teams donning their wet-weather tires and taking on the circuit for the first time amidst a veritable aquatic spectacle.
Joey Logano, the 2024 Cup Series victor, was quoted saying, “I just had a blast a second ago, so I’m OK with it raining at this point.” Even Kyle Busch, the two-time Cup Series champion, found the wet conditions “quite interesting.”
As 2025 rolled in, initial forecasts hinted at a potential repeat of the wet spectacle, sending a wave of anticipation through the NASCAR community. Race Weather, a trusted source for racing weather updates, had initially speculated that showers could occur on the race day. But alas, the anticipated rain seemed to shy away as the weekend approached.
The updated forecast shared by Race Weather revealed a change of heart by the weather gods. The rain clouds have opted to steer clear of the NASCAR schedule, with the forecast stating: “From Thursday into Sunday, forecast guidance is showing weak upper-level ridging over Texas. This, along with a high-pressure system located over the Gulf Coast, should lead to mostly clear skies throughout that time frame.”
This sunny forecast, while disappointingly dry for some, will allow drivers to properly explore the newly revamped track. The race promoters had revealed a shift from the traditional 3.41-mile full layout to a shorter 2.3-mile “national” circuit last November. The alteration in the track layout, coupled with an extended practice schedule on Saturday, has set the stage for a potentially thrilling race under clear skies.
However, not all were enamored with the rain-drenched thrill of 2021. Kevin Harvick, a veteran of the circuit, voiced his strong opposition to racing under such conditions, citing safety concerns. The hazardous conditions led to several accidents, including a fire outbreak in Cole Custer’s car and a pile-up involving Christopher Bell and Ryan Blaney. Harvick, post-race, declared, “We don’t have any business being out in the rain, period. All I can say is this is the worst decision that we’ve ever made in our sport that I’ve been a part of, and I’ve never felt more unsafe in my whole racing career, period.”
Joey Logano, despite his initial enthusiasm for the wet race, agreed with Harvick’s sentiments, stating, “You can’t see and you crash, it becomes dangerous, yes. … Just like your superspeedway stuff. There is no difference, right? There’s moments where it’s just dangerous, and we need to continue to look to find ways to be better at it.”
While some may mourn the absence of rain at COTA this year, it appears that the majority of the drivers are eager for a sunny, safe, and enjoyable race weekend at COTA. The weather may have had the final say, but the anticipation for the race remains sky-high. As the clouds clear out, the drivers’ hopes are far from being dampened. The stage is set for yet another riveting race at COTA, this time under the Texas sun.
