NASCAR will utilize the shorter "national" course at Circuit of The Americas (COTA) for its 2025 Cup Series and Xfinity Series events, switching from the traditional 3.41-mile full course to a more compact 2.3-mile layout.

The new configuration eliminates approximately one mile from the backside of the Austin, Texas road circuit while maintaining 20 turns. The course modification begins at the exit of the esses and reconnects with the traditional course at the end of the backstretch, reducing lap times by roughly one minute based on simulation data.

Key changes for the 2025 event include:

• Increased lap count from 68 to approximately 100 laps for the Cup Series
• Newly repaved track surface
• Shorter lap times for more frequent action
• Enhanced spectator experience with more frequent passes

Ross Chastain, who tested the new layout on iRacing, noted: "It's going to be like basically going to a new track... It flows together nice, and Turn 12 will really change since we don't have that long backstretch."

This marks NASCAR's fifth visit to COTA since its debut, with the 2025 event featuring both the new layout and fresh pavement for the first time.

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