Hendrick Motorsports driver William Byron took home the checkered flag in yesterday's EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix at COTAGetty Images
All signs point to NASCAR “returning to Circuit of the Americas for a fifth year in 2025,” as the track's “popularity with drivers, television, sponsors and organizers has them looking for more,” according to Kevin Lyttle of the AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN. COTA Chair Bobby Epstein said on Saturday, “I don't believe we have a contract yet for next year, but I don't foresee any problem going forward.” He added, "I'm sure we're both happy to have them back." Lyttle noted Epstein later indicated there is “a deal for next year,” though NASCAR officials “won't go that far.” Speedway Motorsports CEO/President Marcus Smith said nothing is “final until the official NASCAR schedule comes out, but we're planning for another big event week in Austin at COTA in 2025.” Speedway Motorsports officials estimated in 2021 that “between 50,000 and 60,000 showed up for the inaugural race day.” Fox TV ratings for COTA “are solid, not great.” The race pulled 3.7 million viewers in 2022 but dropped to 3.2 million last year. For the season, NASCAR “averaged 2.86 million per race.” Sponsorship money “is another key to keeping a race.” Epstein said, “I can't imagine they have difficulty getting desirable sponsors in a place like Austin.” The drivers also “want COTA as an annual stop.” Driver Denny Hamlin said, "I love it, and most drivers I talk to absolutely agree.” He added, “We see the support. I want to come back every year" (AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN, 3/24).
