Fasten your seatbelts for the NASCAR season’s third Xfinity and Cup Series races at the Circuit of the Americas. The Drivers are knee-deep into 2025 with Daytona and Atlanta behind them, but the first road course race of the season presents new challenges. The track layout at COTA was recently modified from 3.41 miles to 2.3, making it 27 laps longer than 2024. This means it will be more taxing than what drivers are used to. Will Xfinity and Cup contenders be able to rise to the challenge and make the necessary adjustments to contend strongly?
Why the Circuit of the Americas is Unique in 2025
The reduction in track length at COTA will give drivers from both series a chance to focus on unique tactical maneuvers behind the wheel. Scott Cooper, VP of communications, is excited to see how drivers will handle the on-track changes during the race. He’s also eager to watch NASCAR return to the Circuit of the Americas for the fifth year.
“This is a very unique and different challenge for the drivers,” Cooper said of NASCAR at COTA. “This is a very technical course. They’ve got 17 turns to navigate, and the teams and the drivers especially spend a lot of time in simulators trying to duplicate what they’re going to hear and what they’ll find when they get here,” he continued.
Cooper expressed that although NASCAR has not yet renewed a contract with Circuit of the Americas for 2026, the sport is still valued there. He also capitalized on the entertainment aspect of the unique three-day event from February 28 – March 01.”We’ve still got so much value and entertainment, and NASCAR is just fantastic,” Cooper added.”It’s a party, and we want everybody to come out and join us.” This will be the first time NASCAR has used the National Course Layout, which he believes will enhance the appeal.
What to Expect This Weekend
For fans attending NASCAR’s first road course of the season, the shortened track length will force drivers to increase their speed. As anyone who has attended a live race knows, there’s nothing like hearing the engine’s rev as the throttle accelerates to its max. Competition will also be narrower, with William Byron and Christopher Bell winning the season’s first two races in Daytona and Atlanta.
Both cup drivers have managed to stay in the top ten, so there’s no question they’ll show out this weekend. In 2024, the pair was strong at the Circuit of the Americas with Byron leading Bell by just over 2.5 seconds, and Ty Gibbs following. It could be deja vu if the drivers end up in the same starting or finishing positions, so stay tuned.
Gibbs on the other hand has had a rocky start to the 2025 season with an average finish of 24 and a start of 29. 5. The No. 54 JGR driver spun out at the Clash at Bowman Gray after making contact with Justin Haley’s No. 7 Chevrolet ZL1. Though the race was only an exhibition, meaning it didn’t count toward season standings, Gibbs still considered it a setback. Can he prove himself this weekend based on his strong contention in P3 last year at the Circuit of the Americas? He’s one to keep an eye on.
Regarding the Xfinity Series, Hendrick Motorsports Kyle Larson reigned supreme, winning the 2024 Focused Health 250. Larson will attempt the Xfinity race again at Circuit of The Americas this afternoon. He is also running in the EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix tomorrow, making him the only driver to attend to compete in both series this weekend.
Competing in both gives Larson a chance to grow accustomed to the modifications made to COTA before the start of the season. Therefore, there’s speculation that the extra time spent on the track will give the Hendrick driver an advantage. It certainly doesn’t hurt him and this is evident from last year’s win, but can he do it again?
Xfinity Schedule: Focused Health 250
To catch the NASCAR Xfinity Series, tune into the CW Network or stream through the CW app at the Circuit of the Americas, live from Austin, Texas.
February 28- March 01, 2025
- Focused Health 250—4:00 p.m. EST (Practice)
- Focused Health 250—5:00 p.m. EST (Qualifying)
- Focused Health 250—1:30 p.m. EST (Saturday March 01, 2025)
Cup Schedule: EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix
NASCAR Cup Series practice and qualifying can be streamed through Prime Video. Sunday’s race can be viewed on FOX Sports and the FOX Sports app.
March 01-March 02, 2025
- EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix—10:00 a.m. EST (Practice)
- EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix—11:30 a.m. EST (Qualifying)
- EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix—2:30 p.m. EST (Sunday March 02, 2025)
Final Thoughts
The NASCAR Xfinity and Cup Series are inching toward the season’s third race at the iconic Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas. Yet, drivers and fans alike are optimistic about reducing its length from 3.41 to 2.3 miles. As a result of the track’s new compactness, difficulties for both series have increased. Xfinity drivers will go from 50 to 65 laps and Cup from 68 to 90.
Shortening the length increases the number of laps but tightens the space between cars, allotting little room for error. Will these changes result in more accidents on the Circuit, which is considered the premier racing venue? Stay abreast of this weekend’s NASCAR Xfinity and Cup schedules to watch the Circuit of the Americas events unfold.
