Located just outside Austin, Texas, Circuit of The Americas will add NASCAR competition to its impressive track record.
The state-of-the-art facility has been the site of the United States Grand Prix Formula One race since 2012, a pivotal event for that series’ championship battle.
Previously hosting races for the NTT IndyCar Series and IMSA, Circuit of The Americas, or COTA – a 3.426-mile, 20-turn road course located in Austin, Texas – will host its first NASCAR race weekend on May 22-23.
With Speedway Motorsports serving as the race weekend promoter, the track promises plenty of passing opportunities along with some exciting restarts heading toward the infamous Turn 1.
Located just 14 miles southeast of Austin proper, COTA features two distinct straightaways, five tight, close-quarter racing turns and a trio of s-shaped turns that will remind race fans of California’s Sonoma Raceway. With an elevation change of 133 feet, only a few tracks will rival COTA in terms of undulations, or the sensation felt from the transition from a flat to a somewhat steep surface.
Notably, NASCAR Cup Series champion Chase Elliott provided praise for the renowned road course.
“I think it’s a good addition,” Elliott observed. “It’s a nice course out there. I feel like it’s been quite the spectacle from the F-1 side. Obviously, that’s a whole different ballgame. I’m looking forward to going. I think it’s going to bring new challenges and things none of us have ever seen before. I look forward to it.”
While Elliott, a road course ace, looks forward to COTA, Zane Smith of the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, expressed excitement concerning the unknowns presented during this race weekend.
“That’s going to be awesome,” Smith said. “That is probably one of the most beautiful race tracks there is in the world. For us to get to visit there, we’ll have a good shot at winning there and that’s something super special. Props to NASCAR for making that happen. I’m really looking forward to that.”
For a track nestled in the city that keeps things weird, it’ll be a refreshing sight to see NASCAR deep in the true heart of Texas.