After opening the season on back-to-back super-speedways, NASCAR heads to The Lone Star state. The drivers will take on their first road course of the season. Last year’s winner, William Byron, looks to repeat. Meanwhile, a group of stars, some new, some old, want to take the victory this weekend.
Where: Austin, Texas
Track: Circuit of the Americas
When: Sunday, Mar. 2, 3:30 PM EST
Watch: Local Fox Affiliate
Track Background
NASCAR started racing at COTA in 2021. There, Chase Elliott earned the victory in the final season of the Gen 6 car. Now the course has been changed. Both the Xfinity and Cup series will race the “National” layout of the track. The race will now consist of 95 laps, 2.4 miles each, instead of the previous 68 laps on the 3.41 mile circuit.
It is said that the biggest reason behind the change was for fans in the grandstands and caution laps. A view of the backside of the circuit was near impossible for those near the start/finish line. Now fans will be able to view most of the field at COTA.
Also caution laps will be shortened, helping the speed of the action, and keeping fans entertained.
Ones to Watch
Not one team has been dominant at COTA, but Ford has had their struggles. I expect that to continue for the Dark Horse Mustangs this weekend. On the other hand, Toyota and Chevrolet have great aspirations at gaining a win this weekend.
Trackhouse Racing
The team will be fielding four drivers this weekend. Rookie Shane Van Gisbergen and up-and-coming star Connor Zilisch are some of the top names.
Shane Van Gisbergen has dominated tracks with right-hand turns. He owns an average finish of 9.8 on road courses. Do not forget, his first career win was at the Chicago Street Course. His teammates Ross Chastain and Daniel Suárez have earned wins on road courses. So, his team knows how to get it done.
On the other hand, Zilisch is making his first career Cup Series start. The 18-year-old has won in everything. Now he tries for a cup series win to add to his long list of achievements. These include LMP2 wins at the 24 Hours of Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring.
Hendrick Motorsports
All four of Rick Hendrick’s Camaros have found victory lane on a road course. Alex Bowman is the best at COTA with his average finish of 3rd.
Chase Elliott and William Byron are both in the top ten since 2022 in average finishes at road courses. Elliott has a 10.4 average finish. Byron sits with a 14th average finish.
Finally, Kyle Larson has three wins on road courses in the Gen 7 car. However, he has struggled at COTA as he still is yet to crack a top ten at the track. Maybe with the new design of the course, he can set his HendrickCars Chevy into the top ten.
Toyota
23XI’s Tyler Reddick and JGR’s Ty Gibbs are the top two Toyota drivers at COTA by average finish. Reddick has a win under his belt alongside his 3.7 average finish. Meanwhile, Gibbs’ young career has seen great numbers. His average finish is sixth.
Joe Gibbs’ Christopher Bell, last week’s winner, could make it back-to-back thanks to his stats on road courses. The 20 team has two top fives at COTA. Bell is fifth among active drivers in finishes on road courses.
