Wood Brothers Racing is gearing up for the DuraMAX Texas Grand Prix at Circuit of The Americas (COTA) on March 1, 2026, marking a shift from oval racing to a road course event. Driver Josh Berry and the No. 21 DEX team are focused on securing a top-10 finish in this demanding race, aiming to improve their performance on road courses by emphasizing strong qualifying results and consistent execution throughout the weekend.
Details of the Circuit and Race Weekend Schedule
The Circuit of The Americas layout spans 2.4 miles and includes 20 turns, presenting a complex challenge for competitors. Berry has nine career starts in NASCAR Cup Series road-course races but is still seeking a breakthrough in his results on this type of track. On race weekend, practice will take place on Saturday at 10 a.m. ET, followed by qualifying at 11:10 a.m. ET. The 95-lap race will start at 3:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, broadcast live on FOX.
Key Factors for Success at COTA
Achieving a strong starting position in qualifying is crucial for Berry to position himself well for race day. The team’s strategy will focus on minimizing mistakes and maintaining track position, both vital components to a successful road-course performance. Their progress and adjustments over the weekend will be closely watched as they attempt to improve Berry’s road-course results.
Significance and Outlook for the Season
A solid finish at COTA could mark an important milestone for Wood Brothers Racing and Josh Berry within the NASCAR Cup Series, potentially boosting confidence and momentum in future road-course events. The transition from oval races to this challenging course underscores the team’s adaptability and ambition to compete strongly across all race formats.
“Our goal is to put together a strong weekend at COTA, building on what we’ve learned from past races and aiming for our first top-10 on a road course.” ?Josh Berry, Driver
