While NASCAR is still mulling possibly adding another road course race to the Cup Series schedule, one potential track isn’t likely on the list.
According to a report in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas – which has coveted a NASCAR race – will continue to watch from the sidelines.
“We’ve not had any discussions with the track there and candidly don’t plan to,” NASCAR executive vice president and chief racing development officer Steve O’Donnell said of COTA earlier this week at Texas Motor Speedway’s unveiling of its new $5 million racetrack surface.
NASCAR has raced at TMS since 1997.
On Feb. 28, COTA Chairman Bobby Epstein told the Austin American-Statesman newspaper that he reportedly “had contact with NASCAR officials, and we’ve heard from their fans and drivers. Everyone seems to want to be here, so I see no reason why it couldn’t come together.”
O’Donnell’s comments at TMS would seem to nip COTA’s hopes for a NASCAR race.
“We’re happy here,” O’Donnell told the Star-Telegram of TMS. “We’ve got a long-term agreement here at Texas. They’ve been great partners for us.
“From our perspective, we’re really happy in this marketplace. Any promoter can say I’ve talked to NASCAR, but it’s different if we reach out to them. Again, we’re really happy to be here.”
O’Donnell also said that if NASCAR is to add more road course races, it would likely look inside current existing tracks, like the road course within Charlotte Motor Speedway. The current schedule has road course races at Sonoma Raceway and Watkins Glen International.
