The NASCAR Cup Series ventures to the Circuit of The Americas (COTA) in Austin, Texas, on Sunday, March 1, for the DuraMax Texas Grand Prix Powered by RelaDyne. The race will cover 95 laps, totaling 228 miles on the 2.3-mile road course, marking the first road-course event of the 2026 season. Trackhouse Racing drivers Shane van Gisbergen and Connor Zilisch are front-runners according to DraftKings Sportsbooks, positioning them as the favorites heading into this high-stakes competition.
Shane van Gisbergen and Connor Zilisch Headline as Top Contenders
Shane van Gisbergen enters this Sunday’s race as the odds-on favorite to clinch victory at +120, bolstered by his exceptional performance on road courses. The New Zealand driver boasts an impressive streak of five consecutive wins on road courses, a milestone only previously achieved by NASCAR Hall of Famer Jeff Gordon. Van Gisbergen’s achievements in 2025 were historic, including victories at Mexico City, Chicago, Sonoma, Watkins Glen, and the Charlotte Roval, setting a record for the most wins by a rookie in a single season.
Although van Gisbergen did not win at COTA last year, finishing sixth after leading 23 laps and securing top-five finishes in both race stages, his overall proficiency on road courses gives him a clear advantage this weekend.
Close behind in the betting is van Gisbergen’s teammate, Connor Zilisch, at +350. In his rookie Cup Series season, Zilisch has demonstrated strong road-racing prowess, evidenced by his five wins and five pole positions in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series during 2025. The 19-year-old also recorded a win at Watkins Glen in his O’Reilly Auto Parts Series debut the previous year. Although Zilisch’s Cup Series experience on road courses is limited, with only one appearance at COTA resulting in a 37th-place finish, his proven ability on road circuits supports the optimism surrounding his chances.
Experienced Cup Series Drivers Considered Longshots at COTA
Despite their reputations, several well-known Cup Series drivers are viewed by oddsmakers as unlikely to win on Sunday at COTA. Ryan Blaney, for instance, is listed as a +4500 longshot, while Joey Logano and Denny Hamlin each carry +6000 odds. These evaluations reflect their recent performances on road courses rather than their overall skill.
Blaney’s single road-course victory dates back to 2018, and he has managed only one top-10 finish in his last six road-course races. Similarly, Logano has a lone road-race win from 2015 and has also recorded just one top-10 in the past six events. Meanwhile, Hamlin achieved a fourth-place finish at last year’s Chicago street race but has struggled with four finishes of 20th place or worse in five recent road-course outings.
Implications for the Season and Fan Expectations
The positioning of Trackhouse Racing drivers as early favorites at COTA highlights the team’s rising influence in the NASCAR Cup Series, especially on road courses. For van Gisbergen and Zilisch, a strong performance here could further establish their dominance and momentum as the season progresses. Conversely, established drivers like Blaney, Logano, and Hamlin will be motivated to overcome long odds and deliver improved results on one of NASCAR’s most challenging circuits.
With high stakes, passionate competition, and a diverse field, Sunday’s race at the Circuit of The Americas promises thrilling action for fans and significant implications for driver standings throughout the 2026 NASCAR campaign.
