Race fans will experience another thrilling weekend of NASCAR in Austin, Texas when the NASCAR Cup Series (NCS), Xfinity Series (NXS) and CRAFTSMAN Truck Series (NCTS) return to Circuit of The Americas (COTA), March 22-24, 2024. The action-packed NASCAR at COTA tripleheader will Keep Austin Wheeled with the EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix (NCS), NASCAR Xfinity Series 250 (NXS) and XPEL 225 (NCTS) on Sunday preceded by the Focused Health 250 (NXS) and XPEL 225 (NCTS) on Saturday.

Fans getting memorabilia signed by a NASCAR driver

“We're thrilled to host NASCAR's three premier series at the world-class Circuit of The Americas in Austin, Texas once again,” said NASCAR at COTA Executive Director Bryan Hammond. “Our team has been hard at work putting together one heck of a weekend for race fans. The Fan Zone will be full of family activities, plus live performances, driver appearances, concerts, and of course, we’ll see the stars of the sport wheel their way through the twists and turns of COTA.”

In 2023, Tyler Reddick put up a monster performance restart after restart under a bright Texas sun to qualify for the playoffs with his first win of the season and the first of the year for 23XI Racing at the EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix NCS race. A.J. Allmendinger cooked up the perfect recipe for success at the NXS race, returning to victory lane at COTA for the second consecutive year. After scorching the competition en route to a win at last year’s XPEL 225 NCTS race, Zane Smith brought his fiery performance to victory lane, setting his truck ablaze in a memorable celebration that redefined “burnout.”

RACE WEEKEND SCHEDULE & DETAILS

On-track action begins Friday, March 22 with NXS and NCTS practice and qualifying sessions beginning at 2:30 p.m. CT. The trucks will be first on track with practice followed by qualifying at 3 p.m. The NXS will follow in the same order, with practice at 4:30 p.m. and qualifying at 5 p.m.

Once the on-track action ends Friday, it’s time to party! Race fans can head to Lot N for a wild Friday night Camper Party starting at 7 p.m. CT and featuring a live auction to benefit Speedway Children’s Charities (SCC), special guests, celebrities and a concert, all hosted by Jose Castillo.

Cars winding down a racetrack with stands full of fans in the background.

All three series will be on track Saturday, March 23 with the NCS leading off with practice at 9:30 a.m. and qualifying at 10:30 a.m. A pair of races follow with the NCTS XPEL 225 at 12:30 p.m. and NXS Focused Health 250 at 4 p.m.

Lot N will have the aroma of barbeque wafting through the air as the ATX BBQ Showdown presented by Pit Boss gets underway. This International Barbeque Cookers Association-sanctioned event will feature teams competing in three categories for judging. One half-chicken competition for judging begins at noon, followed by pork spare ribs at 1:30 p.m. and brisket at 3 p.m.

The weekend’s grand finale begins with Riley Green, multi-platinum country music superstar, performing a special one-hour concert on Sunday, March 24 at 12:45 p.m. before the main event, the EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix NCS race, which begins at 2:30 p.m. (FOX).

If you think NASCAR drivers have an axe to grind with their biggest rivals, there will be a whole lot more competitors with that mindset roaming the COTA Fan Zone throughout the weekend. The axe-wielding athletes of the DLW Timberworks Lumberjack Show will highlight the free entertainment in the Fan Zone, which is located in the venue’s Grand Plaza. Race fans can also enjoy The Red Trouser Show, Accidental Acrobats, 1st Cavalry Division Band, face painters, balloon artists and 360-degree booths. The special acts will perform on Saturday and Sunday and have multiple show times each day. The Fan Zone will be available to fans when the gates open at 9 a.m. CT Saturday and 10 a.m. Sunday.

Marquee letters spelling out #COTA with a man standing in place of the "T".

Fans attending NASCAR at COTA can take part in any of the following events to benefit children in need in the Austin, Texas community through Speedway Children's Charities:

  • Laps for Charity (Friday, March 22 | 8-10 a.m.): Enjoy the thrilling once-in-a-lifetime experience of driving your personal vehicle around the 20 turns that make up COTA.
  • Live Auction (Friday, March 22 | 6:30 p.m.): Don’t miss your chance to bid on unique experiences and autographed memorabilia. This auction will be hosted by Jose Castillo during the Camper Party.
  • Fan Assistance Golf Cart Rides (Friday 1-7 p.m. | Saturday 8 a.m. – One Hour Post-Race | Sunday 9 a.m. – One Hour Post-Race): SCC will be accepting donations on all Fan Assistance Golf Carts.

How To Get Tickets

Fans can purchase tickets and camping for the 2024 NASCAR at COTA weekend by visiting NASCARatCOTA.com. Three-day weekend packages for adults start at just $79 and just $10 for kids 12 and under. Further details can be found on the NASCAR at COTA website.

More Information

Keep track of all things NASCAR at COTA by following on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram (@NASCARatCOTA). Keep up with all the latest information on the NASCAR at COTA website and mobile app.

Article and images courtesy of NASCAR.