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The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season continues its thrilling early stages with a highly anticipated road course battle at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) in Austin, Texas. Tyler Reddick, fresh off victories in the Daytona 500 and a dramatic, fender-scraping win at Atlanta, arrives in Texas at the pinnacle of the championship standings. His dominant start to the season has set a formidable pace for his rivals as the series navigates the technical nuances of the 3.41-mile road circuit.
However, the spotlight also shines brightly on Shane van Gisbergen, the Supercars champion who has quickly established himself as a formidable force on NASCAR’s road and street courses. With an astonishing streak of five consecutive victories on these challenging layouts, van Gisbergen arrives at COTA with considerable momentum. Yet, the Circuit of the Americas has proven to be an anomaly in his otherwise perfect road course record, as the New Zealander was unable to conquer the Texan track in the 2025 season. Adding another layer of intrigue, Christopher Bell, the defending winner of the COTA event, will be a significant contender, aiming to replicate his 2025 success on home soil. Bell’s victory last year showcased his prowess on this demanding circuit, and he will undoubtedly be a frontrunner again this weekend.
Beyond the on-track action, the NASCAR landscape is currently shaped by significant legal developments. Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) finds itself embroiled in an escalating lawsuit with its former competition director, Chris Gabehart. Gabehart is reportedly pushing back against JGR’s claims, adding a layer of internal tension to one of the sport’s premier organizations. In separate legal news, the Busch family, including NASCAR stars Kyle and Samantha Busch, has reached a settlement with Pacific Life Insurance. These off-track legal battles underscore the complex business and personal dynamics within the sport.
Furthermore, NASCAR has unveiled a radical new format for the 2026 All-Star Race, which is set to be held at Dover International Speedway for the first time in the event’s history. The details of this revised format have already sparked considerable discussion among fans and competitors alike, promising a potentially unpredictable and strategy-laden exhibition race.
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Team and driver movements also continue to shape the 2026 season. Richard Childress Racing has announced that Austin Hill will compete in a partial schedule in the Cup Series this year, providing a glimpse into the future of the organization. Simultaneously, JR Motorsports has confirmed that Lee Pulliam will make his NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series debut at Martinsville Speedway, marking a significant step for the young driver. In a notable development for driver development, 13-year-old Keelan Harvick, son of 2014 Cup Series champion Kevin Harvick, has signed a driver development deal with Toyota, signaling a long-term commitment to nurturing future talent.
For fans eager to follow all the action from the Circuit of the Americas, a comprehensive guide to the weekend’s schedule, broadcast information, and the full entry list is provided below.
NASCAR at COTA Weekend Schedule:
Friday, February 27th:
- 5:00 PM EST: NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Practice (Streamed on CW App)
- 6:00 PM EST: NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Qualifying (Streamed on CW App)
Saturday, February 28th:
- 10:00 AM EST: NASCAR Cup Series Practice (Broadcast on PRIME VIDEO)
- 11:00 AM EST: NASCAR Cup Series Qualifying (Broadcast on PRIME VIDEO)
- 3:00 PM EST: NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Race (65 laps) (Broadcast on The CW)
Sunday, March 1st:
- 2:30 PM EST: NASCAR RaceDay Pre-Race Show (Broadcast on FOX)
- 3:49 PM EST: NASCAR Cup Series Race Green Flag at COTA (95 laps) (Broadcast on FOX)
Broadcast Information:
- Practice & Qualifying: PRIME VIDEO will carry live coverage of the NASCAR Cup Series practice and qualifying sessions. The NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series practice and qualifying will be available via the CW App.
- Races: The NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race on Saturday will be broadcast on The CW. The main NASCAR Cup Series event at COTA on Sunday will be aired on FOX, with pre-race coverage beginning at 2:30 PM EST on NASCAR RaceDay.
Circuit of the Americas Entry List – NASCAR Cup Series:
A full field of 37 cars is expected to compete in the NASCAR Cup Series event at COTA, featuring 36 chartered entries and one open entry. Reigning NASCAR O’Reilly Series champion Jesse Love will pilot the #33 machine for Richard Childress Racing, making his debut in the Cup Series.
In the supporting NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race, several notable Cup Series drivers are slated to compete. All three Trackhouse Racing Cup drivers are entered: Shane van Gisbergen will drive the #9 for JR Motorsports, Connor Zilisch will pilot the #1 for JR Motorsports, and Ross Chastain will compete for Jordan Anderson Racing in the #32. Jesse Love, as mentioned, will also pull double duty, competing in both the O’Reilly Series race and the Cup Series event. These drivers are among the few to participate in both series during the COTA weekend.
The complete entry list for the NASCAR Cup Series race at the Circuit of the Americas is as follows:
- #1 – Trackhouse Racing: Ross Chastain
- #2 – Team Penske: Austin Cindric
- #3 – Richard Childress Racing: Austin Dillon
- #4 – Stewart-Haas Racing: Josh Berry
- #5 – Hendrick Motorsports: Kyle Larson
- #6 – Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing: Brad Keselowski
- #7 – Spire Motorsports: Corey LaJoie
- #8 – Richard Childress Racing: Kyle Busch
- #9 – Trackhouse Racing: Chase Elliott
- #10 – Stewart-Haas Racing: Noah Gragson
- #11 – Joe Gibbs Racing: Denny Hamlin
- #12 – Team Penske: Ryan Blaney
- #14 – Stewart-Haas Racing: Chase Briscoe
- #15 – Rick Ware Racing: Jenson Button
- #16 – Kaulig Racing: A.J. Allmendinger
- #17 – Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing: Chris Buescher
- #19 – Joe Gibbs Racing: Martin Truex Jr.
- #20 – Joe Gibbs Racing: Christopher Bell
- #21 – Wood Brothers Racing: Harrison Burton
- #22 – Team Penske: Joey Logano
- #23 – 23XI Racing: Bubba Wallace
- #24 – Hendrick Motorsports: William Byron
- #25 – Hendrick Motorsports: Alex Bowman
- #26 – Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing: Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
- #27 – Team Hezeberg: Loris Hezemans
- #28 – Front Row Motorsports: B.J. McLeod
- #29 – Richaud Racing: G.P. de Lapeyrade
- #31 – Kaulig Racing: Justin Haley
- #33 – Richard Childress Racing: Jesse Love
- #34 – Front Row Motorsports: Michael McDowell
- #38 – Front Row Motorsports: Todd Gilliland
- #41 – Stewart-Haas Racing: Ryan Preece
- #42 – Legacy Motor Club: John Hunter Nemechek
- #43 – Legacy Motor Club: Erik Jones
- #45 – 23XI Racing: Tyler Reddick
- #48 – Hendrick Motorsports: Josh Bilicki
- #51 – Rick Ware Racing: Cody Ware
- #77 – Spire Motorsports: Carson Hocevar
- #99 – Trackhouse Racing: Daniel Suarez
The race at COTA promises to be a pivotal moment in the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season, with championship contenders looking to solidify their positions and road course specialists aiming to extend their winning streaks. The blend of established stars and emerging talent, set against the backdrop of legal and format changes, ensures that this weekend will be one of the most captivating of the year.
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