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

The modified layout eliminates approximately one mile from the backside of the Austin, Texas road circuit, while maintaining 20 turns. The national course connects at the exit of the esses and rejoins the traditional course at the end of the backstretch, reducing lap times by roughly one minute based on simulation data.

Key changes for 2025:

• Cup Series race length increases from 68 to approximately 100 laps
• Track features new pavement completed after the 2024 event
• Shorter lap times promise more frequent action for spectators

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."

Speedway Motorsports President and CEO Marcus Smith emphasized that the change will enhance the fan experience with more laps and increased action, while presenting new challenges for drivers and teams who have competed on the full course for the past four years.

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