The tension around NASCAR’s decision to cut the COTA course has sparked plenty of chatter. One old rival of Shane Van Gisbergen is adding fuel to the fire. Scott McLaughlin, who’s had his fair share of intense battles with SVG in Supercars, took to Twitter to reignite that fire.

The rivalry between McLaughlin and Van Gisbergen has always been captivating. Both drivers regularly battle for top spots and sometimes clash on the track. Now, with SVG making the leap to NASCAR, McLaughlin’s words add extra weight. Fans are debating whether the Kiwi’s road racing skills will give him a clear advantage at COTA. While many NASCAR fans aren’t thrilled about the course change, McLaughlin’s comment serves as a reminder of the kind of competitor SVG is. He might just excel, no matter the track.

What has the change of the COTA track sparked after the 2024 season?

Fans are fuming over a recent decision about the Circuit of The Americas (COTA) layout for NASCAR, and it’s got some heated takes. The big change? Instead of using the full 3.4-mile course, NASCAR will shorten it to the 2.3-mile national track, cutting out those long straightaways and shaving off a chunk of the action. The Cup Series race will likely run about 100 laps, while the Xfinity race’s lap count is still TBD.

Scott McLaughlin, who knows a thing or two about racing at COTA from his Supercars days, threw out a six-word warning for NASCAR fans, especially for Shane Van Gisbergen fans: “Shane Van Gisbergen gonna be all over it.” McLaughlin’s comment brings some heat because SVG, his old Supercars rival, is no stranger to dominating road courses, and fans are wondering if this shorter layout will give him an even bigger advantage.

The decision, however, has left many NASCAR followers rolling their eyes. A lot of fans feel like it’s a step back from the excitement of the full course, and it looks like they’re bracing for a race that’s a bit less thrilling than before. Whether McLaughlin’s prediction about SVG coming out on top rings true remains to be seen, but for now, fans aren’t holding back their frustration.

What fans thought of the changes made to the COTA circuit

One fan didn’t hold back, calling the change a “lame” decision: “Another hacking of a track and better still, eliminating passing. Why do we even bother?” It’s clear they were not thrilled about the idea of less action on track, especially with the potential for fewer overtaking opportunities.

Another fan echoed that sentiment, taking a swipe at NASCAR’s recent track decisions: “NASCAR sure knows how to screw up great road courses!? Sonoma shortcut, no boot at Watkins Glen, and now this!!” This comment shows that the frustration isn’t just about COTA; it’s part of a growing trend of changes to iconic road courses that fans aren’t too keen on.

Then there’s the more passionate critique, with one fan directing their frustration at Fox Sports for possibly not being able to cover the new layout effectively: “I am not happy about this Jeff, this layout is wayyyyyyy worse for racing. Fox being lazy and unable to cover the actual track is just sad.” Clearly, this fan felt that the change would not only impact the racing itself but also the quality of coverage for viewers at home.

Some fans, though, weren’t entirely against the switch. One fan took a more wait-and-see approach: “Works for me try it and see what happens. The yellows were excruciating they were so long.” They seemed to think that experimenting with the layout could shake things up in a positive way, especially if it meant shorter caution periods, which had been a major gripe in the past.

Finally, one fan just seemed desperate for answers, simply asking: “Will someone answer why?” It’s clear that many are just confused and seeking clarity on the reasoning behind this sudden change.