Pre-Race Predictions: Circuit of the Americas

 

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    As the NASCAR Cup Series hosts their inaugural race at Circuit of the Americas in Austin Texas, the outcome of this race will be very hard to predict. With this being said, everyone will have to learn as they go, so let’s take a look at which drivers will have an advantage. 

The NASCAR Cup Series has some very good road course drivers, such as:

• Chase Elliott
• Martin Truex, Jr.
• Kyle Busch

You might think that these road course racers have edge over the rest the competition, though at an unknown road course that edge could be smaller than expected. These drivers could be front runners, though if they make any mistakes, the underrated road course racers might have a chance to take over.

So, here are my picks for the "EchoPark Texas Grand Prix", Cup Series race at COTA.

One's to watch for the win:

• Chase Elliott [No. 9 Chevrolet / Hendrick Motorsports] - Elliott has a total of 5 road course wins, so only makes sense to place him in this list. He didn't do well at the Daytona Road Course in February, but back in 2020 he came out victorious, and that was the Cup Series’ first time at that track. He was definitely able to learn last summer, so I wouldn’t count him out here at COTA.
• Martin Truex, Jr. [No. 19 Toyota / Joe Gibbs Racing] - With 4 wins on a road course, Truex has a good chance coming out a winner here at COTA, but can he learn faster than the others off the start? He will have to if he wants to win. 
• Joey Logano [No. 22 Ford / Team Penske] - After losing to Christopher Bell at the Daytona Road Course, Logano is hungry for his second win of 2021. Logano’s aggressive driving style could produce a win here. While he’s not a favorite for the win, he should be considered.
• Alex Bowman [No. 48 Chevrolet / Hendrick Motorsports] - Looking to tie Truex with a 3rd victory this season, Bowman will likely be a top contender for the win. With fairly good average at road course races, he could have a decent race at COTA.

Other driver's to keep an eye on:

• Daniel Suȧrez [No. 99 Chevrolet / Trackhouse Racing]
• Kyle Busch [No. 18 Toyota / Joe Gibbs Racing]
• Chase Briscoe [No. 14 Ford / Stewart-Haas Racing]

Who are you keeping a close eye on at Circuit of the Americas?!? Place your picks in the comments below, we’d love to hear what you think!