CONCORD, N.C. - It's time for the first NASCAR Cup Series road course race of 2024. Hendrick Motorsports will travel to Circuit of The Americas (COTA) for the first of five road course races this season.
The team first competed at the 3.41-mile track in 2021 when the Cup Series added it to its calendar. Since then, the facility has been one of the two stops made by the tour in "The Lone Star State," with Texas Motor Speedway being the other. With 20 turns and massive elevation changes, COTA's layout has produced action-packed racing in the past and looks to deliver on that once again.
In addition, Kyle Larson is driving in the No. 17 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet NASCAR Xfinity Series race at the Austin, Texas, facility, with Greg Ives calling the shots as crew chief. The Xfinity start is the first of two this year for Larson and he will be back in action at the Chicago Street Course in July.
RELATED: More track time around COTA serves as a catalyst for Larson's Xfinity start
While Hendrick Motorsports' tenure at COTA has been relatively short, the team has had success in the three events held at the track. Chase Elliott took home the victory in a wet and rainy inaugural event in 2021. The win was also the Cup Series record-tying 268th for Hendrick Motorsports and the 800th Cup Series win for Chevrolet. While 2023 and 2024 did not end in victories, Rick Hendrick's team had two drivers earn top-five finishes in both events.
The last time Hendrick Motorsports visited Austin, Texas, the group was led by Alex Bowman with a third-place result, followed by William Byron, who took fifth. Bowman's result was the second straight year he finished in the top-three positions at COTA. As for Byron, he would lead 28 of the 75 circuits before being shuffled to the back of the top five during several late-race restarts.
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KEY NUMBERS TO KNOW FOR COTA
Data provided by Racing Insights
Larson, No. 5 team
In 2023, Larson earned 191 points on serpentine circuits, tied for sixth among all drivers at the sport's top level. He also holds the record for most road course wins in a single season, winning three times on tracks turning left and right in 2021.
Elliott, No. 9 team
With seven victories on road courses, Elliott is the winningest active Cup Series driver on this type of track. In 30 road course starts, the Dawsonville, Georgia, native has a series-best average finish among active drivers of 8.50, while the next closest driver sits at 13.05.
Byron, No. 24 team
The Charlotte, North Carolina, native's 213 points scored on road courses led the Cup Series in 2023. Byron also led the tour in laps led on these types of tracks, pacing the field for 94 circuits.
Bowman, No. 48 team
Based on average finish, COTA is Bowman's strongest track. His 4.33 average finish in his three starts is the third-best among active drivers. In 2024, the driver of the No. 48 is one of seven to have multiple top-five finishes.
Hendrick Motorsports
Rick Hendrick's group has earned 27 victories on road courses, the most of any Cup Series team and 12 more than the closest competitor.
RELATED: Inside the numbers: Bowman's statistical strength at COTA
DID YOU KNOW?
Hendrick Motorsports has won at least one road course race in the past six seasons.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS AND TV COVERAGE
Friday, March 22
5:30-5:50 p.m. ET: Practice (Xfinity) - FS1
6-7 p.m. ET: Qualifying (Xfinity) - FS1
For Xfinity Series qualifying, Larson will be in Group A of the two-round session.
Saturday, March 23
10-11:30 a.m. ET: Practice (Cup) - FS2 (FS1 takes coverage at 10:30 a.m.)
11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. ET: Qualifying (Cup) - FS1
5 p.m. ET: Xfinity Series race - FS1
Bowman, Byron, Elliott and Larson are in Group B for Cup Series practice and qualifying. Group A and Group B will each have two 20-minute practice sessions on Saturday morning.
Sunday, March 24
3:30 p.m. ET: Cup Series race - FOX
RELATED: Road course wins for Hendrick Motorsports
STAGE LENGTHS
Xfinity Series race
Stage 1: Lap 14
Stage 2: Lap 30
Stage 3: Lap 46
Cup Series race
Stage 1: Lap 15
Stage 2: Lap 30
End of Race: Lap 68
WILL THE RACE BE ON THE RADIO?
Yes, listeners can find both events on PRN Radio and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Channel 90).
WHERE CAN I STREAM THE BROADCAST?
Fans can watch all the action with the FOX Sports Live app. For live updates and additional content during the race, head over to X and follow @TeamHendrick for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
HOW CAN I FIND FS1 and FS2?
The location of this channel may vary depending on location. Enter your zip code and select your television provider using this link for assistance in finding what channel numbers FS1 and FS2 are on your provider.