NASCAR Update: SMI President Claims “Nothing Is Final”; Let’s Slip NASCAR’s 2025 “Big Event” COTA Plans

The NASCAR calendar only has a few race tracks that are recognized worldwide as great tracks, and one of them is the Circuit of the Americas. The stock car racing company does not have a new contract in place for the venue yet, but as per the people close to the track, it won’t be long before that comes to pass. As per a recent report, some exciting upgrades are coming to the entertainment side of things for the venue, and Speedway Motorsports has something big planned for next season.

COTA hosts global motorsports competitions like Moto GP and Formula 1, and that adds its appeal to the Cup Series when it races there. The track is owned by Bobby Epstein, who rents it to SMI to organize the Cup, Xfinity, and Truck Series races along with NASCAR throughout the weekend.

What is the future for NASCAR and COTA?

As per a recent report in the Austin American-Statesman, both Epstein and SMI believe that all parties involved would love to race at COTA for the fifth time in 2025. There’s a lot to be excited about when it comes to the track, and not just about the racing bit. There is an amusement park that will open shortly, and it will boost the entertainment factor for fans quite a bit.

“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 SMI.

COTA was mainly brought into the limelight thanks to Formula 1 and Moto GP racing at the track once a year for several years now. It makes sense for the organizers to renew COTA’s contract from a ratings standpoint as well since the track has usually delivered decent numbers. While NASCAR doesn’t yet have the financial capability to be as grand as F1, fans, and drivers love the track and the Cup Series spectacle.

Cup Series drivers shower praise on “international” Cup Series track

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Several drivers have spoken highly of the track in the recent past. Joe Gibbs Racing driver Denny Hamlin is a big fan due to the venue’s international appeal. “I love it, and most drivers I talk to absolutely agree. This is an international track that brings a level of prestige to our schedule,” he said.

2023 NASCAR Cup Series champion Ryan Blaney is also a fan of the track, but he looks at it more from a business standpoint. “I think it makes sense because Texas is a big NASCAR state, and this gives us two very different markets, Fort Worth and Austin,” he said. His teammate Joey Logano also likes racing at COTA but wants to see some changes made, especially with its length.

“The track is too long. 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 two-time Cup Series champion said.

There is a lot to be excited about regarding COTA, and this year, NASCAR delivered three fantastic races at the iconic road course. Would you like to see the circuit return for the 2025 season? Let us know what you think.

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