The NASCAR Drivers and teams will have to try to figure it out as they head to the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) track this Sunday.

The NASCAR Cup Series will be racing the new seventh version of the Next Gen car on a road course for the first time. Adding to the lack of data for the drivers and teams is this is only the second ever Cup Series race at COTA. There is also the fact that last year’s first race at the track was a rain-shortened race.

Here is the data about the track and race the drivers do know.

Circuit of The Americas Track Data
Track Size: 3.41-miles
Track Type: Multi-Elevational Counterclockwise Road Course
Number of Turns: 20

EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix Race Data
Season Race #: 6 of 36 (03-27-22)
Race Length: 68 laps (231.88-miles)
Stage 1 and 2 Length: 15 laps (each)
Final Stage Length: 38 laps

Chase Elliott was the winner of last year’s inaugural NASCAR Cup Series race at COTA. However, since it was rain-shortened, I’m not sure what (if any) advantage that gives him.

The weather forecast for Austin, Texas for Sunday is Sunny and 86. It would appear that we will not have a repeat of the rainy race from last year.

The team and driver that have the right strategy and can figure out the new car and COTA the fastest will likely score the win. With all the variables that play a factor in road course races in NASCAR, it is quite likely we will see a sixth different winner in the sixth race of the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series season.

We will find out for sure when the green flag waives to start the EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix Race at the Circuit of the Americas this Sunday, March 27th at 2:30 p.m. central time (3:30 p.m. eastern time).

By: Buck Stevens