New highway. New rodeo.
That is the theme for the fifth version of NASCAR’s EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas this weekend. As an alternative of racing on the three.4-mile, 20-turn structure Components One and different collection use, NASCAR is debuting the Nationwide Course, a 2.4-mile,17-turn structure.
The principle occasion is Sunday, with the Xfinity Sequence Centered Well being 250 and a pair of IMSA worldwide sports activities automobile races Saturday.
“We actually made the course for the followers,” race director Bryan Hammond mentioned. “It cuts off 1-minute, 10-seconds of lap time and trims about 5 minutes off warning laps. It places the vehicles in entrance of the followers a bunch extra occasions. Twenty-seven, to be actual.”
The Nationwide Course can be 95 laps over 228 miles, in comparison with 68 laps and 232 miles of the previous. Areas on the again of the course have been changed by non permanent partitions.
“Positively a brand new problem,” Hammond mentioned, “however simply as technical as the complete course. I feel it is going to be a lot enjoyable to drive.”
Some drivers advised the American-Statesman spoke to must be satisfied. They do not get on the course for the primary time till Saturday morning.
“Wanting on the overhead pictures, it cuts out some enjoyable parts of the observe,” Ricky Steinhouse Jr., the 2023 Daytona 500 winner, mentioned. “I undoubtedly preferred working additional up that hill. The restarts bought kinda chaotic, particularly after we’d dangle tires within the grime and the observe bought actually slick. That allowed us to make some passes again there.
“But it surely lets us run extra laps, be extra seen to the followers, we’ll circle previous them much more typically, which I do not suppose is a foul factor.”
Ryan Blaney, the 2023 Cup Sequence champion, is anxious to check it out.
“Definitely we have run the course in simulators, although that is not like the actual factor,” Blaney mentioned. “Changes will must be made. I hope it does not lose any of its magic. I do not suppose it’s going to. It is a unbelievable observe and one of many coolest locations to win at.”
Ross Chastain, the 2022 COTA Cup winner, mentioned, “I have to see it with my very own eyes. It is a good factor to have slightly change, places us on our toes. One of the best race groups adapt. The Gen-7 vehicles have allowed for higher road-course racing.” Hammond defined among the modifications.
“Flip 7, the place you flip into the cutout can be a pleasant sluggish passing zone, which is what followers and drivers advised us they wished,” he mentioned. “A pair different turns again there have been eradicated. Will probably be slightly just like the Roval in Charlotte. Our TV companion FOX is worked up about it, NASCAR officers approve. Vehicles can be extra seen to the followers. We predict will probably be a winner.”
Blaney suspects the brand new course won’t dictate the outcomes.
“Flip 1 (up the 133-foot hill) is all the time robust, particularly on restarts,” he mentioned. “Then you definately bought that slender funnel to navigate. The esses are extraordinarily tough, determining the place the out-of-bounds are, judging inches whereas going 150 mph. That stuff just isn’t gonna change.”
Xfinity race notice: Just one full-time NXS driver has gained the Centered Well being 250, which drops the inexperienced flag at 1:30 p.m. Saturday. A.J. Allmendinger, an achieved highway racer, did that in 2022 for Kaulig Racing. Kyle Busch gained the inaugural in 2021, Allmendinger repeated in ’23 and Kyle Larson triumphed final 12 months.
The Vegas odds are a bit surprising. Connor Zilisch, 18 years younger and getting ready for his Cup debut Sunday, is the favourite at +175 — lower than 2-to-1. The much-hyped Zilisch has loads of road-course expertise on two continents.
Cup star William Byron, interloping in Xfinity for this race, is the second selection at +275, adopted by fellow Cup common Ross Chastain (+325). Everybody else is a protracted shot. Sam Mayer is 14-to-1, final week’s Xfinity winner Austin Hill 18-to-1 and defending Xfinity Sequence champ Justin Allgaier 20-to-1.
NASCAR at COTA
Friday-Sunday, Circuit of the Americas, tickets — $91 weekend grounds move, $241 weekend essential grandstand, $50 and up Saturday solely, $80 basic admission Sunday, $120 and up grandstand Sunday
Saturday — VP Sportscar Problem 8:40-9:25 a.m.; NASCAR Cup Sequence practices 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m. (Prime Video); NASCAR Cup Sequence qualifying (Prime Video); Xfinity Sequence Centered Well being 250 1:30-4 p.m. (The CW); VP Sportscar Problem 5-5:45 p.m.; Sunday — Cory Kent live performance 12:45-1:45 p.m.; NASCAR EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix 2:30 p.m. (Fox)
