NASCAR rides high momentum into COTA

   So far in the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series season, we’ve been met with some intense and chaotic racing, with thrilling moments and electrifying finishes. From the clash to last weekend at Bristol, I think all fans old and new should have had something to enjoy in terms of “what NASCAR is all about”. The ratings boosting so far this season especially after Atlanta seem to prove that theory. NASCAR has even made more mainstream media headlines for positive rather than negative reasons, and now we ride that wave into Circut Of The America’s or COTA for short for the first road race of the season.

     The race will be at 3:30 est on FOX. With this being the first road course of the season I expect different skill sets to show. I expect that this, along with more international stars in the Cup field (Shane Van Gisbergen, Kamui Kobayashi) we should get more eyes on the sport this weekend and hopefully the momentum keeps up.

     So far the talk of the weekend has been track limits in the esses. Track limits are a rule designed to penalize drivers from leaving the racing surface in an attempt to prevent time gains. In NASCAR the penalty is a drive through or if it happens on the last lap as we saw with Shane Van Gisbergen, a 30 second penalty. Some call the penalty fair while others don’t. Me personally, I would prefer a time penalty of maybe 3 to 5 seconds since the time gained isn’t massive. We will see how the rule effects the Cup race.

     Also the restart line was moved closer to the last turn in hopes of spreading the field out more before turn one. Stage cautions have also returned, as they were gone at COTA last year. I think both will be interesting today. I think the restart zone being moved also helped a little but I still expect huge sends into turn 1.

    My early pick for the race will be William Byron as he was strong here last year, and starts on pole today. I expect Ty Gibbs and Tyler Reddick to stay up front as well. Watch out for Shane Van Gisbergen too as he was a late race caution away from winning yesterdays Xfinity race, and probably is still blowing off steam from yesterday. 

    See you at the finish line, it’s going to be a good one!

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