NASCAR’s top series will see competition split between two locations on the weekend of February 28 and March 1, 2026. The NASCAR Cup and O’Reilly Auto Parts Series will race at Circuit of The Americas (COTA) in Austin, TX, while the Craftsman Truck Series heads to the streets of St. Petersburg, FL. Notably, Zane Smith aims to maintain his top performance by building on recent finishes, and Chris Buescher targets a fourth consecutive top-10 finish at COTA. This event marks a significant moment as it includes the first street race in Craftsman Truck Series history.
By the NumbersZane Smith is currently fifth in points with finishes of sixth and seventh in the first two races.Chris Buescher has achieved 17 top 10 finishes in the last 23 road/street course events. Yes, But
While several drivers have strong track records, tire degradation and track positioning may complicate outcomes at COTA, reflecting last year’s unpredictability at the Roval.
State of PlayThis weekend is the first-time Craftsman Truck Series will race on a street course.Ford has a total of 20 wins on modern road courses, with Mark Martin leading with four victories. What’s Next
Expect a challenging dynamic in both races as teams adapt to potential tire issues and navigate varied track conditions. The success of rookie drivers like Nick Sanchez may influence future race strategies.
Bottom Line
The upcoming races at COTA and St. Petersburg present opportunities for both seasoned and new drivers to showcase their skills, highlighting the evolving landscape of NASCAR as it embraces diverse racing formats.