AUSTIN, Texas – NASCAR is shifting gears this weekend to make its inaugural appearance at the Circuit of The Americas, marking a significant transition from two weeks of drafting tracks to the unique challenges of road course racing.
Practice and qualifying for the Cup Series took place on Saturday, emphasizing the importance of track position in the Next Gen era. Hendrick Motorsports showcased impressive performance, with all four drivers posting competitive lap times. Chase Elliott led the charge with a remarkable run of 1:37.913, finishing fifth on the starting grid. William Byron closely followed, securing the 10th position with a lap of 1:38.381, while Kyle Larson will start in 15th place with a time of 1:38.514, and Alex Bowman in 16th with a lap of 1:38.542.
During practice, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolets demonstrated their speed, with Larson recording a best lap of 1:39.347, placing him fourth overall, and Bowman achieving a seventh-best time of 1:39.512.
Elliott and Byron both have prior victories at COTA, and Larson previously triumphed in the NASCAR O’Reilly Series in 2024. Bowman’s consistency is noteworthy, as he remains one of only two drivers to finish in the top 10 in every Cup race at this complex, boasting an impressive average finish of 5.2, the second-best in the field.
Fans can look forward to Sunday’s race, scheduled to start at 3:30 p.m. and broadcast on FOX, while the weekend’s NOAPS race is set for a 3 p.m. green flag on the CW. As the excitement builds, all eyes will be on the track to see how Hendrick Motorsports performs in this significant race.