Daytona … Atlanta … Austin. Circuit of the Americas has obtained subsequent.
Simply three weeks into the season, NASCAR’s EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix weekend arrives. Will probably be a critical change of tempo as the very best inventory automobile drivers on this planet go from the excessive banks of Daytona to the Atlanta superspeedway, then downshift to the street course in Austin. A brand new course, at that.
“It is the earliest street course ever for NASCAR,” race director Bryan Hammond stated. “We do not sometimes see these till June or July. You may’t race in all places in February and March. It simply made sense to return right here proper up entrance within the season.”
The climate ought to cooperate, with projected highs of 77, 82 and 79 this weekend, a far cry from per week in the past when Central Texas was within the 30s — for highs. Ross Chastain, the 2022 Cup Sequence winner right here, visited on a promotional look final Thursday and was, nicely, freezing.
“Oh, man, I used to be beginning to marvel,” Chastain informed the American-Statesman. “So glad to listen to it is gonna heat up. Actually chilly climate like that may dampen everybody’s spirits.”
Hammond stated the opposite purpose for the early Austin look is to unfold out the state’s two Cup occasions. Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Value has its race Could 4.
“We’re virtually precisely two months aside,” he stated. “This helps each of us for ticket gross sales, promotions, whatnot. In previous years, the 2 Texas races have been as shut as two weeks aside. At COTA we’re gonna seize the start wave of momentum you get with each season.”
Scott Cooper, Speedway Motorsports communications director, stated there can be followers from all 50 states and 14 international international locations, as distant as Brazil, Eire and Australia.
Whereas NASCAR doesn’t disclose ticket gross sales and attendance, Hammond stated the response to the early Austin race has been “overwhelimingly constructive.” A number of tenting areas are offered out. “Austin has all the time been a last-minute market. This week’s climate will assist our late gate.”
Switching from the excessive speeds of Daytona and Atlanta to the street course in Austin might be jarring for drivers and groups.
“The schedule is sort of utterly completely different than we’re used to,” stated Ricky Steinhouse Jr., the 2023 Daytona 500 winner. “A giant observe change with utterly completely different setups and technique. We’re fairly good about adapting to challenges. I take pleasure in attending to Austin and COTA so early. Love Austin. Good meals, good golf, good music, world-class race observe.”
Will probably be a unique structure as nicely. The primary 4 NASCAR at COTA occasions have been run on Components One’s 3.4-mile, 20-turn design. This one can be on a 2.4-mile, 17-turn structure that can deliver drivers across the observe extra rapidly and and shorten the prolonged warning laps.
Triple protection: The weekend additionally contains the NASCAR Xfinity Sequence and IMSA Sports activities Automobile Problem, which is able to each be on the observe Friday for observe and qualifying. IMSA is taking the place of the Craftsman truck sequence.
The Targeted Well being 250 Xfinity occasion contains Cup stars William Byron and Chastain. They’re each former Cup winners at COTA, Byron completely dominating final yr. Byron started the season with the Daytona 500 victory. Byron will drive the No. 17 for Hendrick Motorsports. Chastain will pilot the No. 9 Chevrolet for JR Motorsports, co-owned by Dale Earnhardt Jr.
IMSA, which has drivers from 26 international locations, will maintain two races Saturday after observe and qualifying Friday.
Younger and stressed: Connor Zilisch, all of 18 years previous, will look to develop into the youngest driver to make a Cup begin since Joey Logano made his 2008 debut.
Zilisch, from Charlotte, will drive the No. 78 Chevrolet for Trackhouse Racing. He’s a road-course specialist who completed fourth within the truck race right here final yr. “Connor has extra street course data than I do,” teammate Chastain stated. “He is already been uncovered to a lot, raced all ove rthe world. We’re leaning on him as a lot as he is leaning on us. He simply has to get the expertise. How do you ever be taught to throw a soccer till you really throw one?”
Off-track exercise: The occasion has expanded its Fan Zone activiities to incorporate America’s Bought Expertise performers Boogie Storm and Funkanometry, plus a high-fying aerial troupe, the Globe of Dying bike present and Swifty Swing Pig races (solely in NASCAR, proper?). Rising nation star Corey Kent will do a 1-hour pre-race Cup live performance Sunday.
NASCAR at COTA
Friday-Sunday, Circuit of the Americas, tickets — $91 weekend grounds move, $241 weekend fundamental grandstand, $25 and up Friday solely, $50 and up Saturday solely, $80 basic admission Sunday, $120 and up grandstand Sunday
Friday — IMSA VP Sportscar Problem observe 2-2:40 p.m.; NASCAR Xfinity Sequence observe 4-4:50 p.m. (The CW app); Xfinity Sequence qualifying 5-6 p.m. (The CW app); VP Sportscar Problem qualifying 6:30-7:05 p.m.; 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 Targeted 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)
