The NASCAR Cup Series EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas had plenty of new changes this year, and the much shorter course certainly paid off when it came to making moves for the lead. For a track with plenty of interesting results each time they have visited, this time seemed like the best fight for the win in some time.
Then again, some inconsistency from the NASCAR tower plagued a highly entertaining race. This race also presented plenty of questionable antics from some drivers. So where to start? Christopher Bell backed up his win from last week at Atlanta with a strong charge late in this race to win his second race in a row. It also appears he has started to book his case as an early Championship contender. Sure, we are only three races in, but he’s been in contention in all three so far, with two wins.
Too bad his great performance is kind of overshadowed by other issues during the race.
NASCAR Cup Series at COTA Highlighted by Rules Inconsistency, Bell Victory
The race got off to a fiery start in the first corner as Ross Chastain took it upon himself to be a bonehead. He overdrove into turn one and cleared out Chase Elliott on the opening corner, sending Elliott’s No. 9 to the back of the field from his third-place starting spot. That certainly didn’t sit well with the No. 9 team.
GREEN FLAG and … that didn't take long 👀 Chase Elliott probably isn't very happy right now. pic.twitter.com/5DZ0TGJiTT
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) March 2, 2025
It appears that 2022 Chastain is back. It’s kind of a messed up, given he just gave advice to Carson Hocevar last week about being smart, and he goes and does what he did on the first turn. It’s ridiculous at this point. You can’t win a race on lap one in the first turn. What Ross did was just unnecessary. But that’s how this sport works now, especially at road courses. It certainly doesn’t take much skill to clear someone out.
Elliott spoke with FOX Sports’ Regan Smith following the race, after he fought hard all day and rallied to a fourth-place finish.
” I haven’t seen it yet, so I don’t want to comment…” Elliott said. “Ya know, it’s the first lap of the dang race.”
"It's the first lap of the dang race."
Chase Elliott talks with @ReganSmith after a tough start to the day at COTA. https://t.co/vfYJYASg1j pic.twitter.com/mB8TdqUABM
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) March 3, 2025
Who cares about Corner-Cutting anyway?
Why must this sport always have controversial moments, even in some of its best races? At this point, it appears to be a given. I mean, this sport certainly makes a mockery of itself. Does the tower know its rules?
The drivers were told during the drivers’ meeting that corner-cutting was going to be enforced in the new section of the track. But it appears it wasn’t being very well-informed throughout the day. Some drivers felt things weren’t being properly enforced. Where they right, they might have been. Kyle Busch made it clear when he was running second to Shane van Gisbergen that SVG was cutting the corner in turn six. NASCAR seemed to fire back, according to Jeff Gluck from the Athletic, that they weren’t going to enforce it in six, but rather in turns three, four, and five.
UPDATE: Kyle Busch was just told NASCAR is only calling track limits in Turns 3, 4 and 5 — Turn 6 is "wide open" to cut the course, per RCR after checking with NASCAR. https://t.co/Jg2s7GO5BD
— Jeff Gluck (@jeff_gluck) March 2, 2025
All it seemed to do was cause more confusion. As the likes of Alex Bowman and Bubba Wallace among others were given stop and go penalties for track limits. So what’s the deal, NASCAR? Can you enforce it for everyone? This is just like the problem that happened to Chase Elliott coming off the pitlane at Indianapolis last year.
There is too much of a gray area with this stuff, in my opinion. Not to bash SVG, but why does he get a free pass when you punish everyone else for far less?
Not a Good Day for the Rookie
While his Trackhouse teammates Chastain and SVG were making noise, 18-year-old rookie Connor Zilisch had a rough day in his Cup debut. After suffering damage and a flat tire on the opening lap, Zilisch got put behind the eight ball early on. Despite the early trouble, Zilsich was able to get back into the hunt when real trouble struck.
On lap 50 of the race, Zilisch had fought his way back up around 10th when teammate Daniel Suarez lost control of his No. 99 car. In the smoke, Zilisch couldn’t see and collided with Suarez, which sent him hard into the tire barrier. Despite such high hopes, Connor’s day ended way too early.
Trouble for Daniel Suárez and Connor Zilisch at COTA. pic.twitter.com/eOueEVBfRq
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) March 2, 2025
Busch’s Golden Opportunity Blown Away
Kyle Busch quickly emerged as a legit contender to win the race during the final stage, as he outshone SVG during a round of pit stops. While Busch looked like he was going to cruise to victory lane in the final 15 laps, an incident between Denny Hamlin and Kyle’s teammate, Austin Dillon, killed Busch’s lead over the likes of Christopher Bell and William Byron.
😳 Austin Dillon is stuck … after contact with Denny Hamlin. 😳 https://t.co/4JSRENKYZW pic.twitter.com/FweTq1CERR
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) March 2, 2025
They returned to green with 13 laps left, and despite a hard fight to keep the lead, Busch faded in the closing laps. While he faded to fifth, Christopher Bell held off Byron and Reddick to win his second race in a row and the 11th of his Cup career.
What a battle. Burn 'em down, C. Bell! 🏆🏁 pic.twitter.com/jODYfCO25c
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) March 3, 2025
COTA Should Stay
The change to the course was a good one, and despite a caution with 15 to go, the driver stayed clean to race the final 13 laps green. Sure, it doesn’t appear that COTA is confirmed to keep this date, but this race certainly proved they should keep it on the schedule. It’s not like the winner completely pulled away like the previous configuration. Strategy was key when it mattered most. So, NASCAR, please at least keep Circuit of the Americas for one more year.
Featured Image Credit: James Gilbert, Getty Images. 3/2/2025
