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NASCAR Debuts Shortened COTA Layout for Action-Packed Weekend

The revamped 2.3-mile Circuit of The Americas brings new challenges, more laps, and heightened anticipation for the Cup and Xfinity Series races.

A general view of practice for the NASCAR Xfinity Series Focused Health 250 at Circuit of The Americas on February 28, 2025 in Austin, Texas.
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Mar 26, 2023; Austin, Texas, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Erik Jones (43) at Circuit of the Americas. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-USA TODAY Sports/File Photo
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Overview

  • The Circuit of The Americas (COTA) will feature a new 2.3-mile, 20-turn layout, replacing the previous 3.4-mile configuration for this weekend's NASCAR events.
  • The Cup Series race will now run 95 laps, up from 65, while the Xfinity Series race increases to 65 laps from 45, maintaining similar race durations despite the shorter track.
  • Drivers and analysts anticipate heightened competition, particularly at the newly added sharp Turn 6, which has been dubbed a potential 'calamity corner' for its difficulty.
  • Shane van Gisbergen, Chase Elliott, and Ross Chastain are among the key drivers to watch, with Elliott aiming to reclaim his road course dominance after recent struggles.
  • Fans can catch the action-packed weekend across multiple platforms, with the Xfinity race on Saturday and the Cup Series EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix on Sunday.