Wood Brothers Racing enters the 2026 DuraMAX Texas Grand Prix Powered by RelaDyne at Circuit of The Americas in Austin, Texas, aiming to improve their road-course results. The team, led by driver Josh Berry in the No. 21 Mustang Dark Horse, shifts focus this Sunday, March 1, at 3:30 p.m. ET, after a season start featuring two oval track races at Daytona International Speedway and EchoPark Speedway. The team seeks a breakthrough on the 2.4-mile, 20-turn road layout where Berry has yet to secure a top-10 finish in nine NASCAR Cup Series road-course starts.
Road Course Challenges and Team Strategy Ahead of Race Weekend
While Berry and the Wood Brothers’ No. 21 car have consistently been competitive on superspeedways and intermediate oval tracks, road courses remain a difficult area to master. Berry highlighted the importance of qualifying well and maintaining strong track position due to the technical demands of the circuit. Competing on a complex course such as COTA requires precise execution, something the team believes is achievable with their current preparations.
Qualifying and practice sessions take place on Saturday, with practice beginning at 10 a.m. ET followed by qualifying at 11:10 a.m. ET. Amazon Prime will broadcast Saturday’s activities, while live coverage of the 95-lap, 228-mile race will be available on FOX on Sunday. Stage breaks are scheduled for laps 20 and 45.
Driver Insights and Team Leadership
Josh Berry, 35, from Hendersonville, Tennessee, remains optimistic despite the team’s ongoing quest for a strong road-course finish. He stressed the necessity of minimizing errors and keeping the car under control throughout the race.
“Qualifying and track position are going to be important,”
Berry said. “For us it’s about executing a clean, solid race and being more competitive than we were last year.”
“If we can limit mistakes, keep the car pointed in the right direction and stay on track all day, we’ll give ourselves a shot at a solid finish.”
— Josh Berry, NASCAR driver
The No. 21 team is led on the pit box by crew chief Miles Stanley, whose guidance is instrumental in navigating the challenges of the demanding course.
Event Overview and Broadcast Information
The DuraMAX Texas Grand Prix Powered by RelaDyne, hosted at Circuit of The Americas, is a crucial test for teams and drivers adapting to a road-course format within the NASCAR Cup Series. Starting shortly after 3:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, the race tests driver skill and mechanical endurance across its 95 laps. Fans can follow the event live on FOX television and PRN radio, with SiriusXM NASCAR Radio providing additional coverage.
Significance for Wood Brothers Racing and NASCAR Season
Wood Brothers Racing’s pursuit of a better road-course performance at COTA highlights the complexities of NASCAR’s diverse track formats, especially as the 2026 season unfolds. Success here could mark an important milestone, helping the No. 21 Mustang Dark Horse gain confidence and elevate its competitive status. With Riley’s career road-course starts yet to yield a top-10, an improved finish would demonstrate progress and could influence future strategy and development efforts.
As the season continues to rotate between oval and road-course challenges, the team’s performance at COTA will be monitored closely by fans and experts alike, serving as a bellwether of adaptability and growth for Wood Brothers Racing.
