The Circuit of the Americas may no longer be on the season schedule, according to NASCAR Cup Series winners Kyle Larson and Joey Logano. The Austin, Texas-based 3.42-mile track is nearing the end of its contract, and its future in the stock car racing championship is questionable. The first Grand Prix was held in 2012 at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA), a track specifically designed for Formula 1. Since NASCAR’s 2021 debut at the circuit, the race has grown to be a much-anticipated road course event. The race’s fifth edition will be held on the shorter 2.3-mile course this year. Although many NASCAR drivers have commended COTA’s difficult layout and amenities, there are differing views on its future in the sport.
Despite his enjoyment of racing at the track, Kyle Larson is unconcerned about its future on the calendar. Rather, he wants to find out which track may take its place. The #5 Hendrick Motorsports driver informed the media during an interview at COTA (via Kyle Dalton on X): “At this time, I don’t really have an opinion. I would just like to know where we would go if we didn’t come here. Thus, that would most likely [have an impact] on my choice. ‘Yeah, yeah terrific’ is how you would respond if it’s a song you enjoy. However, I would definitely be okay with it if it were another race in Texas or something similar, where we excel. “We’ll see,” Kyle Larson remarked.
Additionally unconcerned about its future, Joey Logano said he was excited about the possibility of attending a different track in the event that COTA lost its spot. The driver for #22 Penske stated: “I don’t make any decisions or choices on it. While I appreciate the lovely facility, I’m also open to change. I enjoy exploring new locations and trying out new activities. Jordan Bianchi stated that NASCAR is anticipated to continue racing at COTA after 2025, and discussions about its future would take place over the race weekend. NASCAR’s biggest market is Austin. Chase Elliott commended the track’s facilities, while Tyler Reddick said it would be a “shame” to quit racing there.
At COTA, Kyle Larson begins behind teammate Chase Elliott
In the EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix, Kyle Larson starts in seventh place on the grid, four positions behind his teammate Chase Elliott, who starts in second. In the 95-lap race on Sunday, March 2, Alex Bowman starts 21st on the grid while William Byron starts 15th. In the next-generation era, Larson has had a difficult time at COTA, finishing in 20th position on average in his last three appearances. But last year, he drove the #17 Chevy to victory in the Xfinity event. However, in his last three starts, his teammate Bowman has placed in the top five. In the last race, Byron took the checkered flag ahead of Christopher Bell, who was racing at full speed. The #24 Hendrick Motorsports driver also finished second in the Xfinity Series race on Saturday, driving the #17 Chevy. Catch Kyle Larson and his teammates in action, live on FOX, PRN, and SiriusXM, with the green flag set to drop at 3:49 pm ET.
