Campers arriving for the March 24-26 EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix NASCAR tripleheader weekend will be welcomed to Circuit of The Americas (COTA) with a free, fun-filled party as well as a barbeque cookoff featuring some of Texas’ best competition grillers.

The Camper Party gets kicking at 7 p.m. CT on Friday, March 24 in Lot N following the day’s on-track activities with the NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) and CRAFTSMAN Truck Series (NCTS).

The event, hosted by Jose Castillo, will feature a live performance by the 1^st Cavalry Division Band from Fort Hood beginning at 8:30 p.m. The six-member band will play popular songs from all genres of music, including country, rock and pop.

Special guest appearances will be sprinkled throughout the event along with visits from the country’s best Ricky Bobby impersonator and social media star Justin “Danger” Nunley. Speedway Children’s Charities will also conduct a live auction featuring racing memorabilia and items as part of its weekend activities.

Free Busch Light beer will be available on site while supplies last to those 21 and over with a valid ID.

On Saturday, March 25, Lot N will have the aroma of barbeque wafting through the air as the ATX BBQ Showdown presented by Pit Boss gets underway. This International Barbeque Cookers Association-sanctioned event will feature teams competing in three categories for judging. One half-chicken competition for judging begins at noon, followed by pork spare ribs at 1:30 p.m. and brisket at 3 p.m.

Judges include:

• Erica Blaire – Pit Boss Master and winner of Food Network’s BBQ Brawl (All categories)
• Justin “Danger” Nunley – Social Media Influencer (All categories)
• Kirk Naumann – Executive Chef for Pit Boss® Grills (All categories)
• Dan Thiessen – Dansons Founder and CEO (Ribs only)

Awards will be presented to the top five in each category with a $5,000 payout during the pre-race ceremonies for Sunday’s EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) race. The entry fee is $500, which includes a 40’ x 40’ RV and pit spot along with two general admission tickets for the race weekend. Click HERE to register for the competition and to learn more about the event.

Lot N is located off Elroy Road between turns two and six on the outside of the circuit layout. Camping spots, beginning as low as $100 for tents and $400 for RVs in Lot N, remain available. Click HERE to explore the available options and pricing throughout the property.

The EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix culminates a three-day event that features the NCS, NXS and NCTS. The weekend kicks off Friday, March 24 with FEVO Friday that includes practice and qualifying for the NXS and NCTS. Saturday, March 25 is action-packed with NCS qualifying, the Pit Boss 250 presented by USA TODAY NXS race and XPEL 225 NCTS race.

Tickets:
Tickets for the March 24-26 NASCAR at COTA tripleheader weekend are on sale now at NASCARatCOTA.com. Three-day weekend packages for adults including the Darius Rucker pre-race concert start at just $99 and just $10 for kids 12 and under. Further details can be found on the NASCAR at COTA website.

Follow Us:
Keep track of all things NASCAR at COTA by following on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram (@NASCARatCOTA). Keep up with all the latest information on the NASCAR at COTA website and mobile app.

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For the second year, Speedway Children’s Charities (SCC), the official charity of Speedway Motorsports, will encourage race fans to make a difference in the lives of Austin-area children while providing more fun ways to enjoy the March 24-26 NASCAR weekend at Circuit of The Americas (COTA) with their friends and family.

“With the success of last year’s fundraising translating to a $15,000 grant to Safe House Project, we couldn’t wait to plan more fun ways for race fans to give back to the community during this year’s NASCAR at COTA event,” said Speedway Children’s Charities National Executive Director Lisa Starnes. “Throughout all Speedway Motorsports facilities, we are driven by our ‘Fans First’ attitude, and what better way to exhibit that than offering once-in-a-lifetime experiences, unique auction items and other opportunities to race fans to support local children in need and enhance their race weekend experience.”

Fans attending NASCAR at COTA can take part in any of the following events to benefit children in need in the Austin, Texas community:

Laps for Charity | Friday, March 24 from 8-10 a.m.
Enjoy the thrilling once-in-a-lifetime experience of driving your personal vehicle around the 20 turns that make up Circuit of The Americas! You and your passengers will experience the circuit from behind the official COTA pace car.

Advanced registration is encouraged: SpeedwayCharities.org/Events/COTA/Laps-for-Charity

Geared for Greatness presented by Coca-Cola | Friday, March 24 from 8:30-11 a.m.
Enjoy a networking breakfast and forum for women in sports and entertainment who want to network with other great women! Hosted by Sage Steele, television anchor and co-host of SportsCenter on ESPN, this breakfast will be held at the Fairmont Austin at 101 Red River Street in Austin, Texas and feature guest speakers, giveaways and door prizes.

Tickets must be purchased in advance: SpeedwayCharities.org/Events/COTA/Geared-for-Greatness

Live Auction | Friday, March 24 at 7:30 p.m.
Don’t miss your chance to bid on unique experiences and autographed memorabilia at the Live Auction, hosted by Jose Castillo during the Camper Party in Lot N! Auction items include:

• VIP Victory Lane Experience
• Darius Rucker Meet-and-Greet
• Drivers Meeting Passes
• Watermelon Autographed by Ross Chastain
• VIP NASCAR Playoffs Experience at the Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400 NASCAR Cup Series Race at Texas Motor Speedway on Sept. 24, 2023
• Guitar Autographed by Country Artist Pat Green

More information: SpeedwayCharities.org/Events/COTA/SCC-Live-Auction/

Fan Assistance Golf Cart Rides | Friday, March 24 – Sunday, March 26
SCC will be accepting donations on all Fan Assistance Golf Carts during NASCAR at COTA. Fan Assistance Golf Carts will be running from approximately 1-7 p.m. Friday, 6:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 8 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. Sunday.

More information: SpeedwayCharities.org/Events/COTA/Fan-Assistance-Rides

Funds raised from these events will be distributed in the form of grants to local organizations that focus on children’s services in the greater Austin area. Earlier this year, SCC granted $15,000 to Safe House Project to train 24 Austin-area clinics in the fights against child sex trafficking in the United States. The grant resulted from fundraising efforts during the 2022 NASCAR at COTA event.

Donations can be made any time at SpeedwayCharities.org/Donate/#COTA.

Tickets:
Tickets for the March 24-26 NASCAR at COTA tripleheader weekend are on sale now at NASCARatCOTA.com. Three-day weekend packages for adults including the Darius Rucker pre-race concert start at just $99 and just $10 for kids 12 and under. Further details can be found on the NASCAR at COTA website.

Follow Us:
Keep track of all things NASCAR at COTA by following on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram (@NASCARatCOTA). Keep up with all the latest information on the NASCAR at COTA website and mobile app.

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One of the most memorable experiences for NASCAR fans is seeing the stars of the sport up close on race day. Fans attending this weekend’s NASCAR tripleheader at Circuit of The Americas (COTA) will have plenty of opportunities to catch their favorite drivers for a picture, autograph or even a fist-bump.

NASCAR at COTA weekend driver appearances kick off on FEVO Friday with a Q&A session with NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series (NCTS) driver Dean Thompson at the Toyota Racing Experience display in the Fan Zone at 2:15 p.m. CT.

Before they strap in for Saturday’s XPEL 225 NCTS race, drivers Grant Enfinger, Rajah Caruth and Daniel Dye will be answering fan questions at the Team Chevy display in the Fan Zone at 9:45 a.m. Fans can also catch a Q&A session with NCTS driver Taylor Gray at the Toyota Racing Experience display in the Fan Zone at 10 a.m.

Prior to Saturday’s Pit Boss 250 presented by USA TODAY NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) race, Sammy Smith will take questions from fans at the Toyota Racing Experience display in the Fan Zone at 11:45 a.m. while Brandon Jones (11:45 a.m.) and Josh Berry (12 p.m.) will be at the Team Chevy display in the Fan Zone. At noon, fans can meet Justin Allgaier, Sam Mayer, Miguel Paludo, Jones and Berry at the JR Motorsports/Legacy Motor Club souvenir rig in the Fan Zone.

NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) driver Daniel Suarez will be at Freeway Insurance on North Interstate Highway 35 in Austin, Texas Saturday at 3 p.m. meeting race fans in town for Sunday’s EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix.

On Sunday morning, fans enjoying the plethora of free entertainment in the Fan Zone in the Grand Plaza can see NCS drivers Harrison Burton (10:30 a.m.), Chase Briscoe (10:30 a.m.), Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (11 a.m.), A.J. Allmendinger (11:15 a.m.) and Brad Keselowski (11:45 a.m.) on the EchoPark Fan Zone Stage during Trackside Live hosted by Jose Castillo.

Defending EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix winner Ross Chastain will be meeting with fans Sunday at 10:30 a.m. at the TxDOT display in the Fan Zone while Denny Hamlin will be at the Toyota Racing Experience display in the Fan Zone at 12 p.m. answering fan questions.

Before Darius Rucker takes the stage at 12:45 p.m. for a one-hour concert prior to the 2:30 p.m. EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix NCS race, Chastain, Trackhouse Racing team owner Justin Marks, Martin Truex Jr. and Ryan Blaney will join host Castillo on the pre-race stage on the frontstretch for Q&A sessions from 12:05-12:30 p.m. While the NCS driver Q&A sessions, driver introductions and Darius Rucker pre-race concert are free with any race ticket, the purchase of a Track Pass ticket upgrade will allow those fans to move from the grandstands to the front of the stage for premier access.

Friday, March 24

• Toyota Racing Experience Display in Fan Zone (Q&A Session)
  • 2:15 p.m. – Dean Thompson

Saturday, March 25

• Team Chevy Display in Fan Zone (Q&A Session)
  • 9:45 a.m. – Grant Enfinger, Rajah Caruth and Daniel Dye
  • 11:45 a.m. – Brandon Jones
  • 12 p.m. – Josh Berry
• Toyota Racing Experience Display in Fan Zone (Q&A Session)
  • 10 a.m. – Taylor Gray
  • 11:45 a.m. – Sammy Smith
• JR Motorsports/Legacy Motor Club Souvenir Rig in Fan Zone (Autograph Session)
  • 12 p.m. – Justin Allgaier, Sam Mayer, Miguel Paludo, Brandon Jones and Josh Berry
• Freeway Insurance, 11139 North Interstate Highway 35, Suite 150, Austin, TX 78753 (Meet-&-Greet)
  • 3 p.m. – Daniel Suarez

Sunday, March 26

• Trackside Live on EchoPark Fan Zone Stage (Q&A Session)
  • 10:30 a.m. – Harrison Burton and Chase Briscoe
  • 11 a.m. – Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
  • 11:15 a.m. – A.J. Allmendinger
  • 11:45 a.m. – Brad Keselowski
• TxDOT Display in Fan Zone (Meet-&-Greet)
  • 10:30 a.m. – Ross Chastain
• Toyota Racing Experience Display in Fan Zone (Q&A Session)
  • 12 p.m. – Denny Hamlin
• Pre-Race Stage on Frontstretch (Q&A Session)
  • 12:05 p.m. – Ross Chastain and Justin Marks
  • 12:15 p.m. – Martin Truex Jr.
  • 12:30 p.m. – Ryan Blaney

Tickets:
Tickets for the March 24-26 NASCAR at COTA tripleheader weekend are on sale now at NASCARatCOTA.com. Three-day weekend packages for adults including the Darius Rucker pre-race concert start at just $99 and just $10 for kids 12 and under. Further details can be found on the NASCAR at COTA website.

Follow Us:
Keep track of all things NASCAR at COTA by following on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram (@NASCARatCOTA). Keep up with all the latest information on the NASCAR at COTA website and mobile app.

COTA PR

The NASCAR Cup Series (NCS), Xfinity Series (NXS) and CRAFTSMAN Truck Series (NCTS) will converge on Austin, Texas for their first road/street course race of the young season with this weekend’s EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix at Circuit of The Americas (COTA).

All three of NASCAR’s National Series will tackle the challenging and technical 20-turn, 3.41-mile permanent road course beginning Friday. The NCS will have its opening practice session while the NXS and NCTS will conduct both practice and qualifying.

Saturday’s busy schedule will include NCS qualifying (10:30 a.m. CT) along with the NCTS XPEL 225 (12:30 p.m., TV: FS1, Radio: MRN, SiriusXM) and NXS Pit Boss presented by USA TODAY (4 p.m., TV: FS1, Radio: PRN, SiriusXM). The three-day race weekend culminates with Sunday’s third running of the EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix (2:30 p.m. CT, TV: FOX, Radio: PRN, SiriusXM).

Here’s a look at the “Fast Five” Storylines for the EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix:

1. Seven-time NCS champion Jimmie Johnson, after a two-year absence while racing in INDYCAR for Chip Ganassi Racing, will be making his second start of a very limited 2023 racing schedule in the EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix.

Johnson, co-owner of Legacy Motor Club, will be driving the No. 84 Chevrolet for the organization in his first NCS appearance at COTA. It will be his second start of the season, following his 31^st-place finish due to a late accident in the season-opening Daytona 500.

“COTA has been on my racing ‘bucket list’ for a very long time,” Johnson said. “But my timing was off by a year or so. I was hoping it was going to be on the INDYCAR schedule – and it wasn’t – and then they added it to the NASCAR schedule after I left. … From everything I’ve heard, NASCAR drivers have had a lot of fun racing at COTA, so to say I’m looking forward to it is an understatement.”

Johnson, who gained additional experience running road and street courses in his time in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, owns one career NCS victory on road courses (Sonoma, 2010) and 20 top-10 finishes in 40 career starts.

2. The Formula One race at COTA may be in October, but the EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix will have a distinctive F1 flair with two former world champions – Kimi Räikkönen and Jenson Button – competing in the event.

Räikkönen, the 2007 F1 champion with 21 career wins, will be driving the No. 91 Chevrolet as Trackhouse Racing’s third race entry. The race will mark Räikkönen’s second NCS race after debuting with the organization’s PROJECT91 program at Watkins Glen last August. Trackhouse Racing owner Justin Marks created PROJECT91 last year with the goal of expanding the organization’s global reach by fielding a NCS entry for renowned international racing drivers.

The 43-year-old Finnish driver is quite familiar with COTA, making eight F1 starts on the road course and earning a victory for Ferrari in 2018. It was the final win of his F1 career.

“I had a fantastic time in NASCAR,” said Räikkönen, who finished 37^th in his NCS debut at The Glen. “There was a lot to learn in a very short amount of time, but everyone was very helpful, the competition was a big challenge. This time I get to race on a track I am familiar with so there won’t be as steep of a learning curve. I want to have fun, but also do as well as we can.”

Button, the 2009 F1 champion with 15 career wins, will be making his NCS debut driving the No. 15 Ford entry for Rick Ware Racing with support from Stewart-Haas Racing. The 43-year-old Brit also has experience at COTA with five F1 starts. He posted four top-10 finishes with a best of fifth (2012).

“Obviously, racing a Cup car is very different than what I’m used to,” said Button, whose last COTA start came in 2016. “It’s a lot heavier with a lot less power and, basically, no downforce. It’s got a sequential gearbox where you need to blip the throttle, so there’s lots of stuff to learn in a very short space of time.

“But I just get excited about that new challenge, and when I throw myself into something, I am 100 percent in. I’m not just doing it for fun in some one-off. I want to be competitive, and I know that to be competitive, it’s going to take a bit of time.”

Button also is scheduled to compete in the Chicago street race in July and Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course in August.

3. Ross Chastain returns to the site where he ignited his career-best season and signaled the arrival of Trackhouse Racing.

Last March, Chastain earned his first career NCS victory in dramatic fashion at COTA as he outdueled A.J. Allmendinger and Alex Bowman in a two-lap overtime shootout for a 1.331-second victory. The win also was the first for Trackhouse Racing and team owner Justin Marks.

Chastain would go on to earn another victory (Talladega), advance to the Championship 4 round and finish runner-up to Team Penske’s Joey Logano for the NCS championship.

He arrives at COTA this season third in the NCS points standings, five points behind Logano. He has posted four finishes of 13^th or better through the first five races, including a season-best, third-place finish at Fontana.

During his COTA return, he will take his signature victory “watermelon smash” to new heights by dropping a few from the platform of the landmark, 251-foot-high COTA Tower. The media event will begin at 12 p.m. Friday followed by media availability with Chastain.

4. Hendrick Motorsports driver Chase Elliott, the 2020 NCS champion and an 18-time race winner, will miss his fourth consecutive race following surgery for a fractured left tibia that resulted from a snowboarding incident. He previously missed Las Vegas, Phoenix and Atlanta, respectively, and is expected to be out six weeks.

Champion sports car driver Jordan Taylor will handle driving duties for the No. 9 Chevrolet in his NCS debut. The 31-year-old Taylor competes for Corvette Racing in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, where he has won three championships.

Jordan made four IMSA starts at COTA from 2014-17, where he earned two wins, three podiums, two poles and led 146 of a possible 298 laps. He won from the pole in his last two appearances (2016, ’17).

“Jordan is a world-class road racer and has recently been working with our Garage 56 team preparing for the 24 Hours of Le Mans,” team owner Rick Hendrick said. “He’ll be able to step in and do a great job at COTA." 

5. Joey Logano became the fourth driver from a different organization to win through the first five races of the season with Sunday’s victory at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

Logano, the defending series champion, led a race-high 140 of the 260 laps to provide Team Penske with its first win of the season. The victory also moved Logano atop the NCS points standings by one over Christopher Bell of Joe Gibbs Racing.

The other organizations with wins this season are JTG Daugherty Racing (Ricky Stenhouse Jr.), Richard Childress Racing (Kyle Busch) and Hendrick Motorsports (William Byron). Byron is the only driver with multiple wins, claiming Las Vegas and Phoenix, respectively, in consecutive weeks.

Interestingly, Logano and Busch (seventh) are the only race winners who rank among the top 10 in the series points standings heading into the EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix.

Tickets:
Tickets for the March 24-26 NASCAR at COTA tripleheader weekend are on sale now at NASCARatCOTA.com. Three-day weekend packages for adults including the Darius Rucker pre-race concert start at just $99 and just $10 for kids 12 and under. Further details can be found on the NASCAR at COTA website.

Follow Us:
Keep track of all things NASCAR at COTA by following on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram (@NASCARatCOTA). Keep up with all the latest information on the NASCAR at COTA website and mobile app.

COTA PR

Two-time Emmy Award-winning actor, writer and producer Brendan Hunt, who co-stars in the Apple TV+ global phenomenon Ted Lasso, will serve as the Grand Marshal for Sunday’s EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) race at Circuit of The Americas (COTA) and highlight the weekend’s dignitary roster.

Hunt will have the honor of providing the “Drivers, start your engines” command to the NCS field for Sunday’s EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix on the 20-turn, 3.41-mile permanent road course in Austin, Texas (2:30 p.m. CT, TV: FOX, Radio: PRN, SiriusXM).

He is best known for his role as “Coach Beard” in Ted Lasso and has won consecutive Emmy Awards in 2021 and ’22 for “Outstanding Comedy Series” as the show’s producer. Hunt is a six-time Emmy Award nominee, including five with Ted Lasso. In 2021, he was a nominee for “Best Supporting Actor In A Comedy Series” as well as two nominations for “Outstanding Writing For A Comedy Series.”

The blockbuster comedy series, co-created by Hunt with Jason Sudeikis, Joe Kelly and Bill Lawrence, recently opened its third season on March 15. Hunt has appeared in a wide variety of critically acclaimed television programs and films throughout his career. Prior to Ted Lasso, he is most known for his roles in Community, Key and Peele, Parks and Recreation and Horrible Bosses 2.

Three-time Grammy Award-winning singer Darius Rucker will serve as the Honorary Starter and wave the green flag to commence the third running of the EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix. Earlier that day, Rucker will treat the crowd to a pre-race concert on the frontstretch beginning at 12:45 p.m. CT.

Adrianne Palicki, known for her critically acclaimed role of “Tyra Collette” in the hit series, Friday Night Lights, will help lead the NCS field to the green flag as the Honorary Pace Car Driver.

Palicki’s current project has her starring next to the female lead with Broken Lizard in Searchlight Pictures Quasi, a satirical take on The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Quasi will debut Thursday, April 20 on Hulu. Most recently, she starred in the anthology film With/In and for three seasons of Hulu’s The Orville.

Performing the national anthem will be Golden Globe Award and Critic’s Choice Award nominee actor/producer Jaime Camil. Camil is beloved by many from his roles on Jane the Virgin and Disney’s Coco and currently co-starring on the hit show Schmigadoon!, which has its second season premiere on April 5 on Apple TV+. Rounding out the list of extraordinary dignitaries will be ESPN SportsCenter co-anchor Sage Steele delivering the invocation.

Dignitaries for the EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix NCS race:

• Grand Marshal: Emmy Award-winning actor, writer, producer Brendan Hunt.
• Honorary Starter: Three-time Grammy Award-winning singer Darius Rucker.
• Honorary Pace Car Driver: Actress Adrianne Palicki.
• National Anthem: Award winning actor/producer Jaime Camil.
• Invocation: ESPN SportsCenter co-anchor Sage Steele.

Dignitaries for Saturday’s Pit Boss 250 presented by USA TODAY NASCAR Xfinity Series race:

• Grand Marshal: Dansons company-wide raffle winner.
• Honorary Starter: Dansons Chief Executive Officer Dan Thiessen.
• National Anthem: Christian recording artist Payton Keller.
• Victory Lane Trophy Presenter: Dansons Chief Executive Officer Dan Thiessen.
• Invocation: Dansons Chief Operating Officer Jordan Thiessen.

Dignitaries for Saturday’s XPEL 225 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race:

• Grand Marshal: Porsche North Austin General Manager Christian Ames.
• Honorary Starter: Authentic Details owner Brad McRae.
• God Bless America: Christian recording artist Payton Keller.
• Victory Lane Trophy Presenter: XPEL Vice President of Corporate Development Michael Mayall.
• Invocation: NCS driver Ricky Stenhouse Jr.

Tickets:
Tickets for the March 24-26 NASCAR at COTA tripleheader weekend are on sale now at NASCARatCOTA.com. Three-day weekend packages for adults including the Darius Rucker pre-race concert start at just $99 and just $10 for kids 12 and under. Further details can be found on the NASCAR at COTA website.

Follow Us:
Keep track of all things NASCAR at COTA by following on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram (@NASCARatCOTA). Keep up with all the latest information on the NASCAR at COTA website and mobile app.

COTA PR