Road course racing is around the corner for the NASCAR Cup Series with the EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix from Circuit of the Americas.
Known simply as “COTA,” the Austin, Texas circuit was added to the NASCAR schedule in 2021. Unlike its inaugural race, rain will not be in picture with weather expected in the mid-70s with wind speeds ranging from 10-20mph. The race will take place on Sunday, March 24th at 3:30pm ET (12:30pm PT). FOX will broadcast the race for cable viewers with radio coverage on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM’s NASCAR Radio.
NASCAR Fantasy Live gives fans the chance to partake in driver selection each Cup Series race weekend. One will pick five starters and one “garage” driver per event. The garage driver will not receive any points but acts as a replacement for a starter who may face trouble in the first part of the race. At the end of stage two, picks will lock, and no changes can be made. Points are awarded based on stage points and finishing positions in addition to four “head-to-head” driver picks. A driver may only be picked ten (10) times across the 26-race Regular Season and then five (5) times in the 10-race Playoffs.
See NASCAR’s website here for rules of how to play.
My recommendations are NOT my guaranteed lineup for Sunday. See here for my picks from last weekend’s thrilling and unpredictable Food City 500 from Bristol Motor Speedway. Below are my NASCAR Fantasy suggestions for Sunday’s EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix at COTA.
2024 FOOD CITY 500 RECAP
STARTERS
- Denny Hamlin – 7 uses left
- 40 Place Points (1st) + 4 Stage Points (S1 – N/A, S2 – 7th) = 44 Total Points
- Kyle Larson – 8 uses left
- 32 Place Points (5th) + 12 Stage Points (S1 – 2nd, S2 – 8th) = 44 Total Points
- Christopher Bell – 8 uses left
- 27 Place Points (10th) + 9 Stage Points (S1 – 8th, S2 – 5th) = 36 Total Points
- Michael McDowell – 9 uses left
- 26 Place Points (11th) + 0 Stage Points (S1 – N/A, S2 – N/A) = 26 Total Points
- Ryan Blaney – 7 uses left
- 21 Place Points (16th) + 5 Stage Points (S1 – 7th, S2 – N/A) = 26 Total Points
- Chase Elliott – KEPT IN GARAGE, 9 uses left
- 29 Place Points (8th) + 0 Stage Points (S1 – N/A, S2 – N/A) = 29 Total Points
FEATURED MATCHUPS
- Chris Buescher vs. Chase Elliott
- PICK: Elliott
- RESULT: Incorrect (Buescher = 7th, Elliott = 8th)
- Michael McDowell vs. Ryan Preece
- PICK: McDowell
- RESULT: Correct (McDowell = 11th, Preece = 14th)
- Brad Keselowski vs. Christopher Bell
- PICK: Bell
- RESULT: Incorrect (Keselowski = 3rd, Bell = 10th)
- Carson Hocevar vs. Josh Berry
- PICK: Hocevar
- RESULT: Incorrect (Hocevar = 27th, Berry = 12th)
RANKING – RACE 5/36
- Weekly Points = 186 PTS.
- Total Points = 919 PTS.
- Collective Rankings = 13,318th (-658 POS.)
STARTERS
PICK 1 – Tyler Reddick
Something about Circuit of the America clicks with Tyler Reddick. He won pole in NASCAR’s first trip to the Lone Star State and has finished Top 10 in each race since. Last season, Reddick dominated by leading 41 of the 75 laps en route to his fourth career Cup Series win. The 23XI driver has also finished inside the Top 10 in the last three road course events (Indianapolis Road Course, Watkins Glen International, Charlotte Roval).
Reddick will start Sunday’s race from 3rd place. Track position is crucial, and without incident, he will be a contender all-day for stage points and the checkered flag.
PICK 2 – Ross Chastain
Ross Chastain made headlines in 2022 after taking his first career victory at Circuit of the Americas. The finish did come in controversial style after turning A.J. Allmendinger in the closing corners. Nonetheless, his ability to pilot the track’s 20 turns is special to watch.
On Saturday, he got repetitions by competing in the Craftsman Truck Series race. His Cup Series season has started with five finishes of 21st or better. Five COTA Top 5s, a 7th fastest practice time, and a 6th starting qualifying start for Sunday equate to a must-pick for NASCAR Fantasy.
PICK 3 – Ty Gibbs
Five races into the 2024 season and Ty Gibbs has already shown massive improvement. Last weekend, the young talent swept both stages at Bristol and took home a 9th place finish; his fourth consecutive Top 10.
Last year, Gibbs placed 9th in his Cup Series COTA debut. He competed in the 2022 and 2023 Xfinity Series running with finishes of 15th and 3rd, respectively. How did he fair on Saturday? Arguably the best of his competition, topping the five-lap average charts and starting Sunday from the front row in 2nd. Can he execute his best run to date?
PICK 4 – Shane Van Gisbergen
He is back! Shane Van Gisbergen will make his third Cup Series start on Sunday and his first with Kaulig Racing. His partnership with the team began when he signed on full-time for the 2024 Xfinity Series season. The tenure has been a decent one with three Top 10s to start the year with a near-win on Saturday.
Van Gisbergen made history in 2023 becoming the first NASCAR driver since 1963 to win in his first-ever Series start. His ability to navigate twists and turns extends to his vast experience competing in Supercars, V8’s, and more. Without mechanical problems, the Kiwi will properly manage the car to a consistent and solid effort. If chosen, his pick in NASCAR Fantasy will save you a regular weekly starter.
PICK 5 – Christopher Bell
Is this Christopher Bell’s year? He sure is off to a great start. The 2017 Truck Series Champion won two weekends ago at Phoenix Raceway and, at times, showed race-winning speed at Bristol.
Bell has two Top 10 stage appearances in the Next Gen at Circuit of the Americas. His 2022 podium of 3rd was impressive, and he had a shot to win last year before getting spun in the closing laps of the race. Road courses are notorious for flipped strategy as teams attempt to capitalize on either stage points or an end-of-day finish. Bell and crew chief Adam Stevens will put themselves in appropriate position for the maximal day possible.
ALTERNATE OPTIONS
William Byron
- Starting on pole for Sunday’s EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix
- 2023 average finish of 8.2 on Road courses including Watkins Glen victory
A.J. Allmendinger
- Running limited Cup Series schedule; saves full-time driver usage
- Average Running Position (A.R.P.) inside Top 10 for both races
- 2022 and 2023 Xfinity Series COTA winner
Alex Bowman
- One of three drivers with Top 10s in all three COTA races
- Third-ranked A.R.P. amongst active drivers in two Next Gen events
Chase Briscoe
- 3 of 4 stage appearances at COTA in last two years
- Starting 32nd on Sunday but 4th-best five-lap practice average
HIDDEN GEM
Justin Haley
- Running with road course talent teammate Kaz Grala
- Gave Rick Ware Racing best team-effort run last weekend at Bristol (17th place finish)
- 13th place qualifying start for Sunday’s Grand Prix
AVOID
Denny Hamlin
- One of ten drivers without Top 10 Stage appearance in either 2022 or 2023 running
- One Top 10 in last 12 Road course races
Brad Keselowski
- Has not been inside Top 13 for one lap in either Next Gen race
- Since 2021, only two Road course Top 10s
- DNF in 2023 COTA event
Bubba Wallace
- DNFs in all three COTA races
- Joins Hamlin and Keselowski as driver without Top 10 Stage in Next Gen
NASCAR FANTASY: FEATURED MATCHUPS
Kyle Busch vs. Denny Hamlin
This pairing has a clear favorite. Last season, Kyle Busch finished four of the six road course races inside the Top 5. The best result of those races saw a tie between COTA and Sonoma Raceway finishing 2nd. As mentioned, Denny Hamlin has not been able to find a rhythm with the style of racing. He has no stage finishes in either Next Gen race or the inaugural Cup date in 2021.
Although Hamlin rides the momentum with his Food City 500 win, Busch is the pick here.
Tyler Reddick vs. Kyle Larson
Two of the best in the game. The duo have four road course victories each, combining for eight total since 2021. Both have finished inside the Top 10 in three of the four Next Gen stages. However, the statistical edge goes slightly to Tyler Reddick. His A.R.P. was ranked 2nd amongst competitors in the last two races and won both the second stage and race last season.
Kyle Larson may pull off a surprise like he did by winning Saturday’s Xfinity Series race, but I am hesitant. I like Reddick to play the strategy in his favor for the race win.
Daniel Suarez vs. Ross Chastain
A battle of Trackhouse Racing teammates. Atlanta victor Daniel Suarez had race-winning contention in the 2022 running, but trouble resulted in a disappointing 24th place finish. Last year, nothing would amount placing 27th. Ross Chastain has the upper hand with better finishes and the 2022 checkered flag.
Chastain conquers.
Alex Bowman vs. Austin Cindric
This battle could be the closest of the day. Alex Bowman was suggested above as a must-pick due to his strong finishes at the circuit. However, Austin Cindric is a quiet threat at every road course excursion. Many remember back to his driving abilities in the rain with slick tires in 2021. Two of his 16 Cup Series Top 10s came in the last COTA races with places of 8th (2022) and 6th (2023).
Although Cindric shows some of the best speed out of the Ford camp, they seem to have missed the mark as a unit. Give me Bowman.
What is your NASCAR Fantasy lineup for the 2024 Food City 500? Tweet us @LWOSMotorsport. Stay tuned here at LWOS Motorsports for NASCAR news, results, updates, and more.
