COTA to use ‘National’ layout for 2025 EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix

The 2025 EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix will bring a fresh twist to NASCAR fans and drivers at Circuit of the Americas (COTA). The March 2 race, the third event of the NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) season, will transition from the 3.41-mile, 20-turn Full Course to the shorter, 2.3-mile, 20-turn National Course. This new layout eliminates about a mile of the traditional track, reducing lap times by roughly a minute based on early simulations. The NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) will also adopt the National Course for its March 1 Focused Health 250.

The change allows for an increased race distance, with the Cup Series expanding from 68 to approximately 100 laps, delivering nearly 50% more action for fans in the stands. While final adjustments and lap totals are still being determined, the National Course promises a more dynamic and fan-friendly experience.

Drivers will also face fresh challenges, including a complete repave of the track since last year’s event. The National Course begins after the esses section, bypassing the long backstretch, and rejoining the traditional course near Turn 13. This redesign requires teams to adapt quickly to a reconfigured layout.

The EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix, traditionally held in late March, now takes place earlier in the season, following the Daytona 500 and Atlanta Motor Speedway. The weekend will also feature the NXS Focused Health 250 and the IMSA VP Racing SportsCar Challenge on March 1.

Trackhouse Racing’s Ross Chastain, a past winner at COTA, praised the new layout’s flow after testing it on iRacing. Despite success on the Full Course, he’s eager for the challenge of mastering the revised track, emphasizing the intense competition at the Cup Series level and the importance of preparation through simulations and data analysis.

This shakeup adds excitement to NASCAR’s growing schedule, with fans and drivers anticipating a reimagined experience at one of the sport’s most iconic road courses.