Gear up for high-octane action as the exhilarating ‘Circuit of The Americas’ (COTA) race returns to the NASCAR landscape. This year, the race promises heart-pounding thrills as changes to the track layout have transformed the racing experience. The previously 3.4-mile track has been trimmed down to 2.4 miles, featuring 20 turns and promising a more intense competition. Despite being shorter, the action-packed Cup race will now be a marathon, with 95 laps instead of the previous 65.
The upcoming COTA race is the fourth of the season and is set to feature a high-profile line-up of racers, making it an unmissable event for NASCAR enthusiasts. The spotlight is on Shane Van Gisbergen, who after dominating road courses in the 2024 Xfinity Series, has stepped up to the Cup series to compete for the entire season. However, the competition won’t be a cakewalk. His Trackhouse Racing teammate and NASCAR prodigy, Connor Zilisch, along with Chase Elliott, are both looking to reclaim their road course prowess.
In addition to the Xfinity and Cup Series, the VP Racing SportsCar Challenge from IMSA will also be part of the weekend’s entertainment. The event will kick off with the IMSA practice sessions at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. ET, followed by the Xfinity Series practice and qualifying sessions at 5 p.m. and 6.05 p.m. ET respectively. All the action can be streamed live on the CW App.
Saturday’s schedule is packed with racing action, starting with the IMSA race at 10:25 a.m. ET. The Cup practice session will follow at 11:00 a.m. ET and will be streamed live on Amazon Prime. The Cup qualifying session begins at 12:30 p.m. ET, with the final starting line-up expected by 1:30 p.m. ET. All this action can be accessed on Prime, Performance Racing Network, or SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. The day’s highlight will be the Xfinity race at 2:30 p.m. ET, which will feature an increased number of laps this year, up to 65 from last year’s 45.
Come Sunday, the Cup Series race, the ‘EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix’, will commence at 3:30 p.m. ET, with the garage opening at 12:30 p.m. ET. Fans can catch all the action on Fox, Performance Racing Network, or SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
With a stellar line-up of racers, the upcoming COTA race isn’t just about speed and strategy. It’s about Shane Van Gisbergen’s quest for his first Cup Series playoffs, and whether Team Penske can join the ranks of Hendrick Motorsports and Joe Gibbs Racing on the winners’ list. Fans can be part of this thrilling narrative by grabbing the available tickets at nascaratcota.com.
However, before you rush to secure your spot, be aware of the unpredictable Austin weather. The forecast suggests a mix of sunshine and overcast, with a 7% chance of rain on Saturday. Conditions might be even more challenging on Sunday, with an overcast sky, temperatures reaching 80 degrees, and a 15% chance of rain.
The element of rain could add a twist to the competition, making the sharp turn 6 on the new layout a formidable challenge. Regardless of whether the race starts on time or the wet tires come into play, the event promises to be a spectacle.
The line-up for the Cup Series and Xfinity Series is packed with talent, featuring racers such as Ross Chastain, William Byron, Connor Zilisch, and many more in both series. With such a star-studded roster, predicting the winner of the Xfinity and the Cup race is anyone’s game.
As the NASCAR COTA race approaches, the anticipation builds. The question remains: who will conquer the new track layout and emerge victorious? Share your predictions in the comments below and join in the excitement.
