Aside from Chase Elliott winning on a road course, there was nothing routine about NASCAR’s Cup Series debut at Circuit of the Americas.
Rain and standing water altered drivers’ abilities to see throughout the race, creating for dangerous conditions and near horrific accidents.
Because of that, NASCAR called the series’ first race at COTA 15 laps early, giving the win to the road course ace in Elliott.
The defending champion’s win, gives him his fifth victory in NASCAR’s last six road course races. Not to mention, half of his career wins have come on road courses.
Although, he hadn’t yet gotten there this season. Elliott’s trip to victory lane makes him the 11th different winner in 14 races.
Kyle Larson and Joey Logano filled out the podium in front of a pair of top 5 runs for Ross Chastain and AJ Allmendinger.
Chase Briscoe earned his best career finish in the Cup Series and his first top 10 result in the Stewart Haas Racing No. 14 car. Daytona 500 winner Michael McDowell was behind him.
It wasn’t as good of day for a number of others as drivers were concerned of safety with a multitude of incidents that resulted in some torn up equipment.
A huge and frightening hit for Cole Custer and Martin Truex Jr. at Circuit of The Americas. pic.twitter.com/dGmCoXQPx6
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) May 23, 2021
“The only way to describe it is you can’t see anything,” Martin Truex Jr. said on the Fox Sports 1 broadcast.
Kurt Busch nearly saw the same fate in this close call.
"Incredible car control."
Kurt Busch threads the needle and stays in the gas. #NASCAR | @COTA pic.twitter.com/1HH6FojjBp
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) May 23, 2021
It was anything but ideal, but NASCAR will return to the track next Sunday for a crown jewel, taking to Charlotte for the Coca Cola 600. The race will be broadcasted on FOX.
NASCAR COTA Results
1. Chase Elliott
2. Kyle Larson
3. Joey Logano
4. Ross Chastain
5. AJ Allmendinger
6. Chase Briscoe
7. Michael McDowell
8. Alex Bowman
9. Tyler Reddick
10. Kyle Busch
11. William Byron
12. Austin Dillon
13. Chris Buescher
14. Denny Hamlin
15. Ryan Preece
16. Erik Jones
17. Ryan Blaney
18. Anthony Alfredo
19. Brad Keselowski
20. Corey LaJoie
21. Ty Dillon
22. Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
23. Matt DiBenedetto
24. Ryan Newman
25. Austin Cindric
26. Aric Almirola
27. Kurt Busch
28. Garrett Smithley
29. James Davison
30. Josh Bilicki
31. Kyle Tilley
32. Cody Ware
33. Daniel Suarez
34. Quin Houff
35. Martin Truex Jr.
36. Cole Custer
37. Kevin Harvick
38. Christopher Bell
39. Bubba Wallace
40. Justin Haley
2021 NASCAR Cup Series Winners
Daytona | Michael McDowell
Daytona Road Course | Christopher Bell
Homestead | William Byron
Las Vegas | Kyle Larson
Phoenix | Martin Truex Jr.
Atlanta | Ryan Blaney
Bristol Dirt | Joey Logano
Martinsville | Martin Truex Jr. (2)
Richmond | Alex Bowman
Talladega | Brad Keselowski
Kansas | Kyle Busch
Darlington | Martin Truex Jr. (3)
Dover | Alex Bowman (2)
COTA | Chase Elliott
