Circuit of the Americas Pre-Race Thread.

StandOnIt

StandOnIt

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Points results going into C.O.T.A.
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If Zilisch dog walks them like he has in every NASCAR road course race he’s been a part of, then the kid might be one of the best drivers ever. I’m so looking forward to seeing how he does.
 
Didn't they change the layout to what the V8 supercars run? It's gonna be an SVG party unless he has issues
 
New, SOFTER tires for COTA …

NASCAR Cup Series – Race No. 3 – 95 laps / 228 miles

Circuit of The Americas – Austin, Tex.

Fast Facts for March 1-2, 2025

Tire: Goodyear Eagle 18-inch Road Course Radials

Set limits: Cup: 2 sets for practice, 1 set for qualifying and 6 sets for the race (5 race sets plus 1 set transferred from qualifying)

Tire Codes: D-5242 (same on all four tire positions)

Tire Circumference: 2,279 mm (89.72 in.)

Minimum Recommended Inflation: Left Front — 20 psi; Right Front — 22 psi; Left Rear — 17 psi; Right Rear — 17 psi

Notes – New tire for Cup cars at COTA: Being on 18-inch bead diameter tires, NASCAR Cup teams will run a different tire set-up than those in the Xfinity Series at Circuit of The Americas this weekend . . . this is the first time Cup teams have run this tire code, which will be run on all four corners of the car . . . compared to what was run at COTA last season, this tire features both compound (more tire wear and lap-time fall-off) and construction (update) changes … with the 18-inch tire, and its lower profile sidewall, NASCAR Cup cars do not run inner liners in any of their tires

Wet Weather Tires – Goodyear to bring white-lettered “wets” to COTA: Goodyear will bring its 18-inch wet weather radial tires to Circuit of The Americas for the NASCAR Cup cars, should NASCAR determine that conditions warrant . . . Cup teams will have a maximum of 6 sets of wet weather tires for the event . . . NASCAR Cup teams last ran a wet weather tire in competition on the Chicago street course last July . . . in addition to the obvious difference of a tread pattern versus Goodyear’s dry weather “slick” tires, the “Goodyear” and “Eagle” lettering on the sidewalls of the wet weather tires is white, not the standard yellow.
 
Back then they used to say Rockingham is when the season really starts, but now it’s COTA. Really looking forward to see how the new layout is going to change the race and of course to see Connor Zilisch do work out there.
 
AdoubleU24 said:
Didn't they change the layout to what the V8 supercars run? It's gonna be an SVG party unless he has issues
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pjmolo said:
COTA to use ‘National’ layout for 2025 EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix
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Track distance reduced from 3.4 miles to 2.3
Laps increased from 68 to 95
Total distance reduced from 231 miles to 218

With a shorter circuit, cautions will probably take more laps. I'd still rather see more, shorter laps here anyway. Losing the two long straightaways also sacrifices the tight turn out in the boonies but I'm agreeable. Of all the twisties on the schedule, this is my least favorite.

I would wonder what affect the changes would have on pit strategy BUT stage breaks toss most strategic decisions out the window regardless.
 
Charlie Spencer said:
Not asking you directly, but why do some of the same people who feel managing tires produces good racing also think managing fuel is a bad thing?
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My idea of managing tires has to do with because they are forced to do it from no wisdom of their own lol. If they don't do manage the tires they run the risk of a flat and are either getting towed or pushed back to the pits for not managing their tires.

Managing fuel is a no brainer. A good example with Kaylee Bryson in the GT race. They towed her to the line, engine off, full of fuel. It was a 100 lap race and she was starting way back in the pack from a spin in qualifying. The car was packed full and they were going to try to go the whole race without pitting. She was able to finish on the podium in 2nd place because of that strategy and skillful driving.
 
Give the VP Challenge a watch as well! 45 minute sprint races with bronze and silver drivers.

I'll be in St. Pete with MX-5 this weekend, co-worker will be in Texas with the series.

Lot of good racing and I'm curious to see the new layout of the circuit with how it will race.
 
StandOnIt said:
Managing fuel is a no brainer. A good example with Kaylee Bryson in the GT race. They towed her to the line, engine off, full of fuel. It was a 100 lap race and she was starting way back in the pack from a spin in qualifying. The car was packed full and they were going to try to go the whole race without pitting. She was able to finish on the podium in 2nd place because of that strategy and skillful driving.
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That too would seem to be a form of fuel management as I imagine the idea included saving fuel by not running "balls out" . . .

. . . or whatever the feminine equivalent is. :idunno:
 
aunty dive said:
New, SOFTER tires for COTA …

NASCAR Cup Series – Race No. 3 – 95 laps / 228 miles

Circuit of The Americas – Austin, Tex.

Fast Facts for March 1-2, 2025

Tire: Goodyear Eagle 18-inch Road Course Radials

Set limits: Cup: 2 sets for practice, 1 set for qualifying and 6 sets for the race (5 race sets plus 1 set transferred from qualifying)

Tire Codes: D-5242 (same on all four tire positions)

Tire Circumference: 2,279 mm (89.72 in.)

Minimum Recommended Inflation: Left Front — 20 psi; Right Front — 22 psi; Left Rear — 17 psi; Right Rear — 17 psi

Notes – New tire for Cup cars at COTA: Being on 18-inch bead diameter tires, NASCAR Cup teams will run a different tire set-up than those in the Xfinity Series at Circuit of The Americas this weekend . . . this is the first time Cup teams have run this tire code, which will be run on all four corners of the car . . . compared to what was run at COTA last season, this tire features both compound (more tire wear and lap-time fall-off) and construction (update) changes … with the 18-inch tire, and its lower profile sidewall, NASCAR Cup cars do not run inner liners in any of their tires

Wet Weather Tires – Goodyear to bring white-lettered “wets” to COTA: Goodyear will bring its 18-inch wet weather radial tires to Circuit of The Americas for the NASCAR Cup cars, should NASCAR determine that conditions warrant . . . Cup teams will have a maximum of 6 sets of wet weather tires for the event . . . NASCAR Cup teams last ran a wet weather tire in competition on the Chicago street course last July . . . in addition to the obvious difference of a tread pattern versus Goodyear’s dry weather “slick” tires, the “Goodyear” and “Eagle” lettering on the sidewalls of the wet weather tires is white, not the standard yellow.
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there used to be an expected number of laps a tire would last
I see that it states more tire wear and lap fall off

must mean they are 47.5 lap tires?
 
pjmolo said:
That too would seem to be a form of fuel management as I imagine the idea included saving fuel by not running "balls out" . . .

. . . or whatever the feminine equivalent is. :idunno:
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does the GT race have stage breaks?
 
StandOnIt said:
Goodyear is getting brave lol. It would be nice to see them managing tires on a road course instead of running every lap balls out.
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Didn't they go soft at Watkins Glen a little while back? I'm interested to see how they run on the new course as well, it is more "flowing" which is a positive. Watkins Glen & Mid Ohio put on great shows because you flow through the corners. I'm not sure why we try to keep slowing them down with places like old COTA and the Roval

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It will take a lot of tire wear to overcome an additional green flag pit stop, but it could be huge with the expected GWCr crap.
 
Charlie Spencer said:
Nothing outside NASCAR's national touring series has stage breaks.
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Other series don't call them stage breaks, but if you watch many other series which most don't seem to around here there are plenty of breaks in other series. They have hot laps, qualifying, breaks between C, B and A features, track prep etc. Many places race other classes.
 
Ernie_Irvan#4 said:
Back then they used to say Rockingham is when the season really starts, but now it’s COTA. Really looking forward to see how the new layout is going to change the race and of course to see Connor Zilisch do work out there.
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Don't think it really starts til phoenix. COTA is just another race where guys outside the top 20 in year end season pts can manage a good finish
 
wi_racefan said:
Don't think it really starts til phoenix. COTA is just another race where guys outside the top 20 in year end season pts can manage a good finish
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COTA is race # 3 of the 2025 season.

Full points, prize money, winner to the playoffs and everything else that accrues to each of its competitors folllowing its checkered flag. Just like Phoenix.

Any team is capable of putting a good finish on the board at any venue.
 
StandOnIt said:
My idea of managing tires has to do with because they are forced to do it from no wisdom of their own lol. If they don't do manage the tires they run the risk of a flat and are either getting towed or pushed back to the pits for not managing their tires.

Managing fuel is a no brainer. A good example with Kaylee Bryson in the GT race. They towed her to the line, engine off, full of fuel. It was a 100 lap race and she was starting way back in the pack from a spin in qualifying. The car was packed full and they were going to try to go the whole race without pitting. She was able to finish on the podium in 2nd place because of that strategy and skillful driving.
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Martin Truex Jr. would agree with you.
 
Mispeedway15 said:
Didn't they go soft at Watkins Glen a little while back? I'm interested to see how they run on the new course as well, it is more "flowing" which is a positive. Watkins Glen & Mid Ohio put on great shows because you flow through the corners. I'm not sure why we try to keep slowing them down with places like old COTA and the Roval

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So.....Sonoma set up?
 
I can somewhat agree on the track shortening. Going in person last year, it's a loooong wait for them to come back around - even though you can see 80% of the track from the Turn 1 grass. So it helps that. Caution laps took FOR-EV-ER. so it will help that. As much as I miss the hairpin and high speed left off the backstraight, I think it will give an equal racing product overall.

@RayinTX have fun! We watched all 3 races from the T1 grass. Trucks and xFinity was plenty of room, but cup race was sardined. The GF and I even made it on the race broadcast, right place/right time. But we roamed around for practice and qualifying. The "circus" is pretty fun, and the Stihl Outdoors outdoor sportsman event was fun to watch.
 
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