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All signs point to green light for NASCAR race at COTA in 2025

Kevin Lyttle
·4 min read
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NASCAR Xfinity Series cars compete in the Focus Health 250 at Circuit of the Americas on Saturday. It appears likely that NASCAR will return to Austin in 2025. COTA Chairman Bobby Epstein, who rents the track to Speedway Motorsports, is counting on it.
NASCAR Xfinity Series cars compete in the Focus Health 250 at Circuit of the Americas on Saturday. It appears likely that NASCAR will return to Austin in 2025. COTA Chairman Bobby Epstein, who rents the track to Speedway Motorsports, is counting on it.

All signs point to NASCAR returning to Circuit of the Americas for a fifth year in 2025.

NASCAR's flirtation with Austin, a previously untapped market for stock-car racing, began with a rain-soaked race in 2021, yet its popularity with drivers, television, sponsors and organizers has them looking for more.

So much so that COTA Chairman Bobby Epstein, who rents the track to Speedway Motorsports, is counting on it.

"I don't believe we have a contract yet for next year, but I don't foresee any problem going forward," he said Saturday. "I'm sure we're both happy to have them back."

Less than an hour later, Epstein indicated there is a deal for next year. NASCAR officials won't go that far.

"We love bringing NASCAR to Austin and working with the talented team at Circuit of the Americas. Nothing is final until the official NASCAR schedule comes out, but we're planning for another big event week in Austin at COTA in 2025," said Marcus Smith, president and CEO of Speedway Motorsports.

The schedule generally comes out around Labor Day.

Why NASCAR likely returns to Austin

Scott Cooper, SMI senior vice president of communications, offered additional perspective to be optimistic about a return and called Austin a "destination market."

"While we don't release attendance numbers, we had fans from 48 states and 15 foreign countries, as far away as Australia, Denmark and Singapore, joining us for the weekend," he said.

Fans watch Parker Kligerman in car No. 48 round turn 18 during the NASCAR Xfinity Series Focus Health 250 at Circuit of the Americas on Saturday. All signs are pointing to NASCAR returning to Austin next year.
Fans watch Parker Kligerman in car No. 48 round turn 18 during the NASCAR Xfinity Series Focus Health 250 at Circuit of the Americas on Saturday. All signs are pointing to NASCAR returning to Austin next year.

SMI officials estimated to the American-Statesman in '21 that between 50,000 and 60,000 showed up for the inaugural race day here. When NASCAR last released numbers in 2019, the average race day brought 68,000 fans, inflated by Daytona, Talladega and Charlotte.

Fox TV ratings for COTA are solid, not great. The race pulled 3.7 million viewers in 2022 but dropped to 3.2 million last year. For the season NASCAR averaged 2.86 million per race. Fox officials have told the Statesman they like the Austin market and the visuals the 3.4-mile, 20-turn road course presents, including the 251-foot tower, turn 1 climb and downtown views.

The difference between Austin and Fort Worth markets

This race used to be run at Texas Motor Speedway, but SMI, which owns TMS, experimented in '21 by moving it to Austin.

"I think it makes sense because Texas is a big NASCAR state, and this gives us two very different markets, Fort Worth and Austin," 2023 Cup Series champion Ryan Blaney said.

Sponsorship money is another key to keeping a race. Epstein said, "I can't imagine they have difficulty getting desirable sponsors in a place like Austin."

The drivers want COTA as an annual stop. 

"I love it, and most drivers I talk to absolutely agree," three-time Daytona 500 winner Denny Hamlin said. "This is an international track that brings a level of prestige to our schedule." 

Tyler Reddick, last year's COTA winner, said, "This area has a large motorsports fanbase. We see the support. I want to come back every year."

What does Joey Logano think about NASCAR in Austin?

Two-time Cup champion Joey Logano likes the vibe of the city. 

"Young city, fun city," he said. "I stayed downtown a few years ago and was watching when the bats take off at night down the river. They light up the sky, and then they take off like one big cloud. It's crazy but, like they said, 'keep Austin weird,' right?"

Logano does have one thing he'd like to change about Circuit of the Americas.

"The track is too long," he said. "I would cut off about half the track. My only reason would be so the cars come around the grandstands more often. Fans could see the cars a lot more." 

The track was shortened for the Aussie Supercars in 2013, and Epstein said that was the original intention for NASCAR. "A lot of drivers complained about shortening it, so they went with the entire 3.4-mile course. I think TV likes that."

What about the entertainment and racing complex updates?

Epstein offered a couple updates on his entertainment and racing complex.

"The big amusement park is coming along well," he said. "One of the roller coasters already is going up. A bunch of rides are ready to go. I expect it to open next summer."

Numbers hang over the pit stalls of teams competing in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Xpel 225 at Circuit of the Americas on Saturday.
Numbers hang over the pit stalls of teams competing in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Xpel 225 at Circuit of the Americas on Saturday.

He indicated COTA's racing calendar is basically full with F1, MotoGP, MotoAmerica Superbikes, the Ferrari Challenge and GT World Challenge. COTA also has community events like Tuesday Bike Night and Cars & Coffee Austin Sundays.

An announcement is coming next month about the music for F1 weekend Oct. 18-20. Past years have brought Taylor Swift, Billy Joel, Elton John, Stevie Wonder, Justin Timberlake and Queen.

"All I can tell you is it will be big," Epstein said. "It will rival the names we've had."

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: NASCAR at Circuit of the Americas expected again in 2025