NASCAR returns to COTA with new layout

NASCAR returns to COTA with new track layout and competition format

Next weekend, the NASCAR Cup and Xfinity series will arrive at the Circuit of The Americas (COTA) in Austin, Texas, with an important change: for the first time they will use the shorter 2.40-mile configuration. This adjustment represents a substantial change from previous editions (2021-2024), where they competed on the full 3.41-mile layout. To compensate for the reduction in track length, the Cup Series race will increase from 68 to 95 laps.

NASCAR debuts short configuration at Circuit of The Americas

The EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix of the NASCAR Cup Series will be held on Sunday, March 2 at 3:30 p.m. ET, with broadcast on FOX starting at 2:30 p.m. ET. Fans can also follow the competition on radio through PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR (Channel 90). The 95 laps will total 228 miles, divided into three segments: First stage (until lap 20), Second stage (until lap 45), and Final stage (until lap 95).

The Focused Health 250 of the NASCAR Xfinity Series will take place on Saturday, March 1 at 2:30 p.m. ET, with broadcast on CW starting at 2 p.m. ET, with radio coverage on PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR. This race will consist of 65 laps (156 total miles), with stages ending on laps 20, 40, and 65.

Complete weekend schedule

Friday, February 28:

• Xfinity Series Kennametal Pole Qualifying (The CW App, 5 p.m. ET)

Saturday, March 1:

• Cup Series Practice and Busch Light Pole Qualifying (Amazon Prime, 11 a.m. ET)
• Xfinity Series Focused Health 250 Race (The CW, PRN, SiriusXM, 2:30 p.m. ET)

Sunday, March 2:

• Cup Series EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix Race (FOX, PRN, SiriusXM, 3:30 p.m. ET)

New practice and qualifying format for the weekend

NASCAR will implement modified procedures for this event. In the Cup Series, practice will consist of two sessions with two groups, each with 20 minutes per session. Qualifying will also be conducted with two 20-minute groups, subsequently combining the times to establish the starting grid.

In the Xfinity Series, all cars will have a joint practice of 50 minutes, while qualifying will follow a format similar to the Cup Series, with two 20-minute groups and integrated times at the end.

NASCAR Cup Series analysis at COTA

The history of COTA in the Cup Series shows four different winners in its four previous editions: Chase Elliott (2021), Ross Chastain (2022), Tyler Reddick (2023), and William Byron (2024). Chastain is the only driver who obtained his first Cup Series victory precisely at this circuit.

Chevrolet has shown great dominance in recent road circuits, winning six of the last seven races, with Hendrick Motorsports accumulating five of those victories. Three drivers have achieved poles at COTA: William Byron in the two most recent years (2023, 2024), Tyler Reddick in 2022, and Ryan Blaney in 2021.

A relevant fact for forecasts: in the last two editions, the winner started from the front row. Also, in 15 of the 17 races with the Next Gen vehicle on road circuits, the winner started among the top eight.

Drivers with victories on road circuits

Driver	Victories on road circuits
Chase Elliott	7
Kyle Larson	6
Kyle Busch	4
AJ Allmendinger	3
Tyler Reddick	3

An interesting aspect for statistics fans: the 2024 edition of COTA had only two yellow flags, the lowest number at any road circuit that year. Another interesting fact is that in no road race of 2024 did the winner of any stage end up taking the final victory.

Connor Zilisch: a young prospect debuts in Cup Series

One of the weekend's big attractions will be the debut in the NASCAR Cup Series of Connor Zilisch, an 18-year-old driver from Mooresville, NC. The young talent will be at the wheel of the Trackhouse Racing No. 87 Chevrolet with Darian Grubb as crew chief.

At just 18 years old, Zilisch already has an impressive record:

• Won in his NASCAR Xfinity Series debut at Watkins Glen last September
• Achieved five victories in nine ARCA Menard Series participations
• Obtained pole position in his NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series debut at COTA 2024
• Accumulated class victories in the 24 Hours of Daytona and 12 Hours of Sebring this year
• Currently competes full-time in NASCAR Xfinity Series with JR Motorsports

The NASCAR Xfinity Series also arrives with news

This will be the fifth edition of the NASCAR Xfinity Series at COTA (2021-2025), and marks the beginning of a calendar with seven races on road circuits for this category in 2025, equivalent to 21% of all competitions in the season.

Jeremy Clements will reach his 500th participation in the Xfinity Series this weekend, becoming the fourth driver to reach this milestone in the series. Simultaneously, Justin Allgaier and Brandon Jones will celebrate their 300th consecutive participation.

Sam Mayer stands out among competitors with four victories on road circuits, while the rest of the field combined totals five (Allgaier with three, Clements and Zilisch with one each). None of the previous Xfinity Series winners at COTA (Kyle Busch, A.J. Allmendinger, and Kyle Larson) will participate this weekend.

Statistics show that the last seven races on road circuits were won from the front row, and the last 18 from positions within the top five. Another fact: three of the four races at COTA were won from pole position (2021, 2023, 2024).

Additional activities during the weekend

Jack Quaid, star of Paramount Pictures' new thriller "Novocaine," will be the Grand Marshal for the NASCAR Cup Series race on Sunday.

Speedway Children's Charities (SCC), the official charity of Speedway Motorsports, will offer various opportunities for fans to contribute to causes that benefit children in the Austin area:

• Lap For Charity (Friday, 8-10 a.m.)
• Live auction (Saturday, 4:30-5 p.m.)
• Donations for golf cart rides for fan assistance (Saturday and Sunday)
• Online donations at SpeedwayCharities.org/Donate/

The track: Circuit of The Americas

COTA, inaugurated in 2012 as the first circuit specifically designed for Formula 1 in the United States, has established itself as a multi-sport venue. Its famous turn 1, named "Big Red" in honor of co-founder Red McCombs, presents an initial challenge with a 133-foot climb.

The complex, located on the outskirts of Austin, Texas, occupies 1,500 acres and also has a stadium for 5,036 spectators and an observation tower 251 feet tall. Throughout its history, it has hosted numerous international events such as Formula 1, MotoGP, IndyCar, and X Games, among others.

The 2025 edition of NASCAR at COTA marks the first time that the 2.40-mile configuration will be used (compared to the previous 3.41 miles), while still maintaining the 20 characteristic turns of the circuit, adapting to the naturally undulating terrain of the area.