**NASCAR: When and How to Watch the Cup and Xfinity Series at COTA**
As the NASCAR season heats up, fans are gearing up for one of the most anticipated events of the year—the Cup and Xfinity Series at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) in Austin, Texas. With the excitement building, racing enthusiasts are eager to know when and how to watch these high-speed races unfold at one of the most challenging and picturesque tracks on the NASCAR calendar. From the roar of the engines to the thrilling wheel-to-wheel battles, the event promises to deliver unforgettable moments for fans around the world.
In this article, we’ll break down everything you need to know about when the NASCAR Cup Series and Xfinity Series races take place at COTA, how you can catch all the action, and why this race weekend is so special for both drivers and fans alike.
### **The Circuit of the Americas (COTA): A Unique Challenge**
Located in Austin, Texas, the Circuit of the Americas is known for its challenging layout, which tests drivers in every way imaginable. The 3.41-mile road course features 20 turns, elevation changes, and a mix of high-speed straights and technical corners. It’s a track that demands precision, endurance, and strategy. The venue is also renowned for its steep hills, sharp corners, and long straights, making it a unique experience compared to traditional NASCAR ovals.
Since its debut in 2021, NASCAR’s involvement in the COTA race weekend has grown in popularity. The series made its first appearance there in 2021, marking a shift toward incorporating more road courses into the schedule. The fast, twisting turns and unpredictable nature of the track make it a fan-favorite, while also serving as a true test for the drivers, who have to balance speed with technical skill. It’s a venue where veterans and newcomers alike can showcase their abilities in ways that they might not on traditional oval tracks.
### **When is the NASCAR Cup Series and Xfinity Series at COTA?**
The race weekend at COTA will take place on the weekend of **March 28-30, 2025**, with each day of the event packed with exciting action. Both the Cup and Xfinity Series will take to the track in Austin, and race fans will be treated to two days of intense racing across multiple events. Here’s a detailed breakdown of when the action will unfold:
– **Friday, March 28, 2025**:
– **Practice Sessions**: Both the Cup and Xfinity Series drivers will hit the track for practice sessions to prepare for the weekend’s races. These practice sessions provide teams with a chance to fine-tune their cars and test out different setups, making it a critical part of the race weekend.
– **Xfinity Series Qualifying**: The Xfinity drivers will compete in their qualifying sessions to determine starting positions for the Saturday race.
– **Saturday, March 29, 2025**:
– **Xfinity Series Race**: The Xfinity Series race at COTA will take place in the afternoon, kicking off the weekend’s main events. The race is expected to be a thrilling battle, as the Xfinity drivers have proven to be competitive on road courses, and the twists and turns of COTA will test their skills.
– **Cup Series Qualifying**: After the Xfinity race, the NASCAR Cup Series drivers will take to the track for their qualifying session to determine their starting positions for Sunday’s race.
– **Sunday, March 30, 2025**:
– **NASCAR Cup Series Race**: The main event of the weekend, the NASCAR Cup Series race at COTA, will take place in the afternoon. The Cup Series race is set to be a highly anticipated event, as the drivers battle it out on the road course for the prestigious victory at one of NASCAR’s most challenging venues.
### **How to Watch the Cup and Xfinity Series at COTA**
For fans who won’t be able to attend the race weekend in person, there are several ways to catch all the action from the comfort of your home. Whether you’re watching on TV, streaming online, or following along on social media, you won’t miss a single moment of the intense competition at COTA.
#### **Television Broadcast**
The NASCAR Cup and Xfinity Series races at COTA will be broadcast on major sports networks, ensuring that fans can watch the races live. Here’s the breakdown of where you can catch the action:
– **Cup Series Race**: The NASCAR Cup Series race will be broadcast live on **FOX Sports** in the United States. FOX will provide extensive pre-race coverage, commentary during the event, and post-race analysis. Expect to see the thrilling action unfold from start to finish, with expert commentary from the booth.
– **Xfinity Series Race**: The Xfinity Series race will be aired live on **FS1** (Fox Sports 1). FS1 will provide full coverage of the race, including a detailed look at the strategy, drama, and pit stops that make road course racing so exciting.
Both races will feature multi-camera coverage, onboard shots, and pit-road reporting, giving fans an immersive experience as they follow their favorite drivers through every twist and turn at COTA.
#### **Streaming and Online Viewing**
If you prefer to stream the races live, several platforms will be offering coverage of the Cup and Xfinity Series events:
– **FOX Sports App**: For fans who want to watch the races live on their mobile devices or smart TVs, the FOX Sports app will provide streaming coverage of both the Cup Series and Xfinity Series races. The app will allow fans to watch the events live or catch up on highlights after the race.
– **Peacock**: As part of NBC’s expanded coverage of NASCAR events, the Peacock streaming service will offer streaming access to select NASCAR races. However, for the COTA race weekend, FOX Sports remains the primary streaming option.
– **NASCAR.com**: Fans can also visit NASCAR’s official website for live timing, scoring, and race updates. NASCAR.com provides real-time race updates, video clips, and driver interviews throughout the weekend.
#### **Radio Broadcast**
For those who enjoy the radio experience, **Motor Racing Network (MRN)** will be providing live radio coverage of both the Cup Series and Xfinity Series races at COTA. MRN is known for its in-depth coverage and commentary, making it a go-to choice for fans who want to stay connected to the action while on the go.
#### **Social Media and Race Updates**
NASCAR’s official social media accounts on platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook will be offering live race updates, behind-the-scenes content, and driver interviews throughout the weekend. Fans can follow along with hashtags like #NASCAR, #COTA, and #CupSeries for real-time updates and highlights from the track.
### **Why Is COTA Such a Special Race for NASCAR?**
The NASCAR Cup and Xfinity Series at COTA have quickly become a fan-favorite event since NASCAR began racing on the road course in 2021. The addition of COTA to the NASCAR schedule is part of a larger effort to incorporate more road course races into the season, giving fans a mix of traditional oval racing and technical, high-stakes road course action.
For drivers, COTA represents a chance to prove their skills on one of the most challenging tracks in the world. Road course racing requires a different skill set compared to oval racing, and COTA’s complex layout demands precision and strategy. The elevated difficulty level means that the COTA race weekend is a true test of a driver’s versatility.
Additionally, the atmosphere at COTA is unique. The venue is located in Austin, Texas, a city known for its vibrant culture and energy. The track’s stunning facilities and the city’s lively backdrop make it an attractive destination for fans and drivers alike. The picturesque views of the Texas Hill Country also add to the allure of the race weekend, creating a spectacle both on and off the track.
### **Final Thoughts**
The 2025 NASCAR Cup and Xfinity Series races at COTA are set to be thrilling events, with high-speed action, intense rivalries, and unpredictable moments. Whether you’re a die-hard NASCAR fan or new to the sport, COTA provides an exciting and unique race weekend that will leave you on the edge of your seat. So mark your calendars for March 28-30, 2025, and get ready to witness history at one of NASCAR’s most exciting and challenging tracks.
With multiple ways to watch the action, both live and on TV, there’s no excuse to miss out on this unforgettable weekend of racing. Grab your snacks, settle in, and get ready for the excitement that is NASCAR at COTA.
