DuraMax Grand Prix Powered by RelaDyne | Circuit of the Americas
Practice & Qualifying: Tomorrow (Saturday, Feb 28, 10:00 AM ET)
750 HP Upgrade: The primary 2026 technical pivot. Power is increased from 670 hp to 750 hp for road courses. Aero features a 3-inch rear spoiler, reduced downforce, and mandated A-post flaps for high-speed stability.
Rule Enforcement: NASCAR is strictly enforcing track limits at Turn 6 and Turn 19. Additional tire packs and officiating staff have been deployed to prevent shortcuts.
Cup teams use the same Eagle tire setup that debuted at COTA last season and was utilized for all six road courses in 2025. This consistency provides teams with a deep notebook for fall-off strategy.
Previous Race Penalties: No carry-over technical violations reported following the last oval event. Monitoring Saturday tech inspection for "L-level" aero violations under the new high-HP rules.
Weather: Mostly sunny with highs in the mid-80s. The 10-15 mph winds are the only minor variable for the high-power setup.
#6 RFK Racing: Brad Keselowski is recovering from an offseason leg injury. While listed, Joey Hand is officially on standby for relief.
#33 RCR: Jesse Love is the lone "Open" entry, making him the 37th car in a 40-car field.
SVG Watch: Shane van Gisbergen (#97) remains the road course benchmark, but 19-year-old rookie Connor Zilisch (#88) is officially cited as his "biggest threat."
Tyler Reddick (23XI Racing) leads the standings entering COTA. 23XI and Trackhouse Racing are favored due to their extensive road-course technical data.
Sponsorships: Carson Hocevar (#77) features Chili’s "Ride the 'Dente"; Ty Dillon (#10) debuts with Patriot Mobile.
Discussion: High engagement regarding Tyler Reddick's attempt at a COTA three-peat.
| Pos | Car No. | Driver | Metric Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 33 | Jesse Love | 58.700 |
| 2 | 54 | Ty Gibbs | 35.800 |
| 3 | 21 | Josh Berry | 34.100 |
| 4 | 88 | Connor Zilisch # | 32.100 |
| 5 | 47 | Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. | 31.800 |
| 6 | 8 | Kyle Busch | 31.000 |