Chase Elliott Grabs Fifth, William Byron 10th in NASCAR COTA Qualifying
AUSTIN, Texas – NASCAR returns to the road course with its first visit to the Circuit of The Americas (COTA) this weekend. Following two weeks on drafting tracks, the Cup Series conducted practice and qualifying on Saturday, where track position is crucial in road course racing.
Strong Performances from Hendrick Motorsports
Hendrick Motorsports displayed competitive performance during qualifying, placing all four drivers within the top 16. Chase Elliott achieved an impressive lap time of 1:37.913, securing fifth place on the starting grid. William Byron followed closely, clocking in at 1:38.381, earning him the 10th position.
- Chase Elliott – 5th place (1:37.913)
- William Byron – 10th place (1:38.381)
- Kyle Larson – 15th place (1:38.514)
- Alex Bowman – 16th place (1:38.542)
Practice Highlights
In practice, Larson posted the fourth fastest lap with a time of 1:39.347, while Bowman followed closely behind in seventh with a time of 1:39.512. The Hendrick Chevrolets showcased significant speed, indicating strong potential for the race.
Drivers’ History at COTA
Both Elliott and Byron have previously claimed victories at COTA, adding to their confidence heading into Sunday’s race. Larson also has a win at COTA, achieving success in the NASCAR O’Reilly Series in 2024. Notably, Bowman is among only two drivers who have finished in the top 10 in every Cup race at this complex, boasting an impressive average finish of 5.2.
Race Schedule
The race at COTA is scheduled to begin at 3:30 p.m. and will be broadcast on FOX. Additionally, the weekend’s NOAPS race has a green flag set for 3 p.m. on Saturday, with coverage on the CW.
