Kyle Larson is one of the most talented drivers in NASCAR today. With six wins last season, he proved why he remains a top contender in the Cup Series. The 2021 champion is known for his ability to dominate on different types of tracks, making him a constant threat in any race. But even the best drivers can have bad days, and at Circuit of the Americas (COTA), Larson’s day turned into a disaster.

Heading into the race weekend, Larson had high expectations. Despite struggling at COTA in previous Cup races, he had shown flashes of brilliance, including an Xfinity Series win at the track last year. Starting seventh on the grid, he was in an excellent position to fight for a strong finish. But as the race unfolded, a costly mistake left him frustrated, dropping him far down the standings.

Kyle Larson faces threats of a huge penalty!

During the second stage of the race, Kyle Larson was facing a penalty when he came down the pit road for a routine stop. However, his crew struggled with the left rear tire, delaying his exit. What happened next turned a frustrating stop into a full-blown disaster. As Larson got back on track, his right front wheel detached from the car and went rolling down the backstretch. For a driver of Larson’s caliber, such an incident was a major setback.

Notably, his earlier track limit penalty had dropped him to 16th from 8th. Now, he was 37th and two laps down, with no chance of recovering. His frustration was evident over the radio. “I got a flat or… f—— right front came off,” he fumed. It was a nightmare scenario for a driver expecting to compete at the front. Notably, this type of incident is not just a small mistake. Losing a wheel on track is a major violation in NASCAR, and Larson’s No. 5 team now faces a likely penalty. NASCAR enforces strict rules on loose wheels for safety reasons, often resulting in suspensions for crew members.

Adding to the frustration was Larson’s history at COTA. He had never finished better than 14th in the Next-Gen car, with an average finish of 20th at the track. This race was supposed to be a chance for redemption. Instead, it became another disappointment. However, this wasn’t the only bad news for Hendrick Motorsports. The EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix proved to be a disaster for Rick Hendrick’s squad.

As soon as the green flag dropped, 2020 Cup series champion Chase Elliott found himself amid chaos. On lap 1, a dive-bomb from Ross Chastain sent him spinning off the track. He dropped from third position to last as he limped to the pit lane. The No.9 crew chief wasn’t happy with Chastain. He asked Elliott to take him out as soon as he got the opportunity.

“We’re gonna have to pay that shit back because I’m over people like that constantly doing dumb shit. When we get a chance to send him, we’re sending that 1 car,” Alan Gustafson fumed over the radio. However, Elliott remained calm and clarified that he was not at fault. “No, that’s totally fine. I’ll do what I need to do. But I just need to make sure I wasn’t in the wrong before I do it,” he responded.

It’s worth noting that HMS is the most successful team in COTA. Elliott won the race in 2021, and Willaim Byron repeated it in 2024. This could have been Larson’s year, as he was looking strong, but a poor pit stop turned his race into a disaster. However, this might also be the last NASCAR race at the iconic COTA, and Larson has expressed his views about it.

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NASCAR drivers deliver candid verdict on Austin’s future!

The Circuit of the Americas (COTA) has been a hot topic in NASCAR discussions. The 3.42-mile road course in Austin, Texas, made its NASCAR debut in 2021, and while it has provided some exciting races, its future remains uncertain. NASCAR’s contract with COTA is in its final year, and drivers have mixed opinions on whether the series should return.

Kyle Larson, who has enjoyed racing at COTA, isn’t overly concerned about its future. When asked about the possibility of the track being removed from the schedule, his response was indifferent. “I don’t have an opinion currently. If we don’t come here, I would just be curious where we would go instead. So that would probably [influence] my decision. If it’s a track I like, you would be like ‘Yeah, sure great’. But if it’s another Texas race or something, then you might be… If we are good at Texas, I would probably be ok with it. I don’t know we’ll see,” Larson admitted.

His comments suggested that he’s more interested in what replaces COTA rather than whether it stays. He admitted that if NASCAR replaced it with a track he enjoyed, he wouldn’t mind. However, Team Penske’s Joey Logano has taken a more balanced stance. While he appreciates the unique challenge of COTA, he believes that NASCAR needs to evaluate which tracks provide the best racing experience.

“COTA is a great track, but if the racing isn’t producing what fans want, then NASCAR will have to make a tough decision,” Logano stated. Notably, Reports suggest that NASCAR is likely to extend its deal with COTA beyond 2025. The Austin market is valuable for the sport, and discussions about its future are expected to take place over the race weekend.