The NASCAR Cup Series goes from the high banks of Daytona and Atlanta to the winding roads of Circuit of the Americas for the Echo Park Texas Grand Prix. Here is all the info on the track, how to watch, and who we think has the best chance of winning on Sunday.
NASCAR Cup Series at Circuit of the Americas Preview
For the third race of the 2025 season the NASCAR Cup Series heads for the lefts and rights of Circuit Of The Americas in Austin, Texas. This is the fifth trip for the Cup Series, but the first year on the new National Circuit, the shorter 2.41 mile course. With the course change could we see a repeat winner or will a new challenger win in the Lone Star state?
William Byron wins at COTA! #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/VmzGyQRwnD
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) March 24, 2024
Race Preview:
The EchoPark Texas Grand Prix is a 95-lap, 228-mile race around the Circuit of the Americas National Circuit. The stage breaks are at laps 20 and 40, and the final lap is lap 95. The National Circuit is a 2.41-mile course that cuts through the esses and onto the back straightaway, eliminating turns 7-11.
The Cup Series will be using a new tire compound this weekend. It is designed to have increased wear over runs, bringing tire management into the conversation for Sunday.
Cup Series Points Standings:
Here are the current Cup Series points following Atlanta:
1. Ryan Blaney: 87
2. William Byron: 75
3. Tyler Reddick: 45
4. Austin Cindric: 68
5. Bubba Wallace: 63
6. Kyle Larson:61
7. John Hunter Nemechek: 61
8. Ricky Stenhouse Jr.: 61
9. Alex Bowman: 59
10. Chase Elliott: 56
READ MORE: Ryan Blaney Quickly Becoming One of NASCAR’s Best Drivers
The Track: Circuit of the America’s
Built in 2011, the Circuit of the Americas is an FIA-grade 3.4-mile road course outside Austin, TX. It is designed to incorporate aspects of other great F1 circuits worldwide, with corners taking inspiration from Yas Marina, Bahrain, and Fuji Speedways. Known for its massive elevation change in turn 1 and nearly mile-long back straight.
New in 2025, NASCAR will race the National Circuit, a 2.41-mile course, designed to help shorten the length of caution laps. The drivers will now take a left turn at 6a, cut through the infield, and a right at 6b onto the back straight.
A new challenge awaits in the Lone Star State. pic.twitter.com/acpVAnKgiT
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) February 26, 2025
Drivers to Watch:
Even with the course change, granted it is just two corners, there are still favorites to win this race. Tyler Reddick scored his first win with 23XI here in 2023 and is extremely talented on the road courses. The Trackhouse Racing group has a group of strong Chevrolets in Chastain, Van Gisbergen, and making his debut Connor Zilisch. Alex Bowman has been the strongest member of Hendrick Motorsports at COTA, with an average finish of 4.3.
Chevy has had a lock on COTA, with Tyler Reddick’s win in 2023 being the only win by a manufacturer other than Chevy. I believe the trend will continue with either a Trackhouse or Hendrick Chevy in victory lane.
READ MORE: Connor Zilisch to make Cup Series Debut at COTA, Red Bull Returns as a Sponsor
How to watch the NASCAR Cup Series from Circuit of the Americas:
The weekend TV Schedule for the NASCAR Cup Series at Circuit of the Americas is as follows:
Saturday: Cup Series Practice and Qualifying: 11:00 AM Eastern, Amazon Prime Sports
Sunday: The EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix: 3:30 PM Eastern, FOX
Stay Tuned to Last Word On Motorsports for all the coverage from NASCAR at Circuit Of The Americas
Featured Image Credit: Sean Gardner, Getty Images. 3/24/2024
