DuraMAX Texas Grand Prix
After running on two ovals to begin the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season, the drivers take on a different challenge this week in the DuraMAX Grand Prix. This race will be run on the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, TX, the first of three road course races that are quite spread out over the calendar. The entire circuit is over 3.4 miles, but the modified NASCAR layout used for the first time in 2025 is 2.4 miles, as the drivers will go 95 laps.
This is the third race of 36 for the Cup Series season, which includes three road course races as mentioned, a street course in Coronado, a revamped playoff format, the second annual In-Season Challenge, and a whole lot of exciting Saturdays and Sundays for race fans and bettors.
How to Watch The DuraMAX Texas Grand Prix
When: Sunday, March 1, 2026
Where: Circuit of the Americas in Austin, TX
Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
Channel: FOX
2026 NASCAR Cup Series Winners and Standings
First place is now worth 55 points, a 15-point increase from last season, and Tyler Reddick has won both races thus far. He already has a 40-point lead over Bubba Wallace, whose 85 points are by virtue of two top-10 finishes plus a couple of Stage wins. Reddick, Wallace, and Zane Smith are the only three drivers with two top-10 finishes in the first two races, so we could be in line for a rather crazy 2026 season.
Despite the eighth and seventh-place finishes, Smith is fifth in points, with Chase Elliott and Carson Hocevar in between him and Wallace. Hocevar, who had the fastest lap and a legitimate chance to win at Daytona, was fourth last week in Atlanta. Ryan Blaney, who is eighth in total points, has 30 Stage points to lead all drivers, one better than Wallace. Joey Logano, Daniel Suarez, Brad Keselowski, and Chris Buescher are the others in the top 10.
The postseason format has changed, as there are no rounds anymore and playoff points will not be awarded. The top 16 drivers in points will qualify for the Cup Series Chase and how they perform over the 10 races as a whole is how a winner will be decided. In other words, a win does not guarantee entry into the Chase like it would have in the past. Therefore, while Reddick should absolutely be in the playoffs, he is not guaranteed a spot just by virtue of winning races.
DuraMAX Texas Grand Prix Winners
Data points are limited at COTA, as this race has only been on the calendar for five years now and last season was the first one with the 2.4-mile layout that will be used this season. For what it’s worth, Christopher Bell won with this format last year, as William Byron, Reddick, Elliott, and Kyle Busch filled out the top five.
With the old layout, Elliott, Ross Chastain, Reddick, and Byron were the winners, so it seems like we may have a fairly small group of drivers that look like good wagers this week. Reddick has the win and four top-five finishes, as Bell, Elliott, Chastain, Alex Bowman, and Byron all have three top-five outcomes. All of the race winners since this one was added to the calendar have 3+ top-five finishes.
DuraMAX Texas Grand Prix Predictions
For the latest odds and VSiN’s NASCAR Best Bets, head to our NASCAR Hub to see Steve Makinen’s simulation results and more stats on the drivers.
