Trackhouse Racing has launched the Trackhouse Racing NASCAR concert series, combining the excitement of motorsport with live music to enhance the race weekend experience in Austin, Texas. The latest edition of Trackhouse Live will take place at The Rustic Tap on Friday, February 27th, right before the NASCAR events at Circuit of the Americas (COTA), aiming to create an electrifying atmosphere for both race fans and music lovers.
The Trackhouse Live concert series first made headlines with its sold-out debut at the iconic Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge in Nashville, followed by energetic gatherings at venues like the Broadberry in Richmond and Kansas City. The Austin event, conveniently located at 613 W 6th Street, will not require tickets, making it accessible to a broad audience just as the city gears up for another thrilling NASCAR race weekend.
Austin’s Pre-Race Entertainment with Trackhouse Live
The Trackhouse Racing NASCAR concert series intends to set the tone for NASCAR’s arrival in Austin by bringing fans together for a night of music, celebration, and high energy. This Friday’s party at The Rustic Tap is designed to be more than an ordinary pre-race event, blending live performances with the anticipation of fierce competition at COTA. With this open-door policy and prime downtown location, Trackhouse Racing is engaging both avid racing aficionados and those drawn in by the lively music culture Austin is renowned for.
The concert series reflects Trackhouse Racing’s commitment to elevating the fan experience, leveraging the intersection of sports and entertainment to build community and excitement ahead of major racing events. Fans attending the concert can expect a festival-like atmosphere as they prepare for the weekend’s main attraction—the NASCAR race at COTA.
Drivers Share Insights Ahead of COTA Weekend
The Circuit of the Americas is consistently a highlight on the NASCAR calendar, offering a unique road course challenge. Trackhouse Racing’s own Ross Chastain provided perspective on the circuit’s complexity regarding track limits, emphasizing the need for consistency and technological solutions in officiating:
“I grew up watching stock car racing in NASCAR, where you race grass to grass. If it was paved, you were on it, aside from super speedways. And COTA is the road course where that is not the case. We make those esses as straight as we can and cut Turn 19 as much as possible. I’m good with track limits, as long as they are enforced consistently and constantly. Make a rule. Continue to enforce it and put someone there that can see it, put some sort of technology with cameras, or automated systems, or whatever it takes. Figure out how to officiate it every time, consistently, all weekend. Whether its practice, qualifying, or the race, make the calls. They’re tough calls to make, but if we mess up, make that call instantly. Don’t wait. It needs to be very black-and-white.”
— Ross Chastain, Driver
He also reflected on the unpredictability of Turn 1 at COTA during restarts, underlining the challenge it presents even to experienced drivers:
“I don’t manage it very well. I’ve been spun out there in the O’Reilly Series race and I’ve spun people out. It’s very challenging to find your brake marker. Restarts are a different speed than the normal laps. It helps now with the restarts all being moved back towards turn 20 but definitely challenging. I’ve made more than my fair share of mistakes. The track was designed to build a lot of speed, have a ton of braking potential with the uphill elevation climb to Turn 1, and then trying to make a turn back the other way is really difficult. But when you get it right, it’s very rewarding.”
— Ross Chastain, Driver
Other Drivers on the COTA Experience
Rising driver Zilisch described the fun and varied nature of the COTA layout, pointing out how recent changes have improved the racing and created new opportunities:
“COTA is just super-fun, especially since they shortened the course. I really enjoy the shortened course. It has created really good racing and has a short track type feel to it now. You don’t really have straightaways anymore – except for the front straightaway. It’s just so unique. You’ve got a new passing zone now with Turn 6A and that cut through is a great passing zone. As a driver you’re doing more, more often. You’re turning more and you’re in a corner more often. It’s a lot of fun.”
— Zilisch, Driver
He also highlighted the chaos and opportunity provided by Turn 1, a critical spot for overtaking early in the race:
“Turn 1 is wild and anything can happen. You can go four, five and even six-wide, but you’ve got to do your best not to put yourself in a bad spot. With that said, there’s a lot of opportunities to make moves and gain positions. It’s always crazy but you’ve got to stay out of the chaos and make it through there. Unfortunately, I didn’t last year, and it ended up hurting my race. The elevation changes there are crazy. It’s like going up a rollercoaster and you’re able to brake so deep because of it.”
— Zilisch, Driver
According to Zilisch, fans at COTA enjoy excellent views and varied vantage points:
“You can see them for sure. It’s cool to have fans everywhere, whether it’s on the hill in Turn 1 or watching from the stadium section. You can watch that race from just about anywhere and see every part of the track. For the fans it’s got to be really cool to walk around and see different parts of the track and get to experience the race from a different corner each lap.”
— Zilisch, Driver
Van Gisbergen, who recently achieved his best NASCAR Cup Series oval finish at EchoPark Speedway, spoke about the momentum his team carries and the relaxed attitude drivers take into road course races:
“It’s always promising. These oval races, we are making big gains, and we weren’t really in position very often to score stage points last year. Now we are able to do that in Daytona and Atlanta and it’s very promising. These road courses, we just go and have fun. They are like a holiday for us. We just go and enjoy ourselves and hopefully come away with a lot of points and a great result.”
— Van Gisbergen, Driver
Discussing defensive driving into Turn 1 at COTA, Van Gisbergen emphasized its physical nature and strategic demands:
“It’s a tough one. There are so many options there for lines and protecting. It’s a hard restart to get right and then, the next corner, goes the opposite way. You’re kind of always on defense there trying to be in the best spot before going into those esses and it single files out. It’s very physical in that turn and there isn’t much room for error.”
— Van Gisbergen, Driver
He also gave his thoughts on the impact of the new bypass in the COTA layout:
“It just gives everyone more passing opportunities and more laps. You get to use the better part of the track more often. It was cool when NASCAR first thought about doing the short cut, They wanted to do what we did in V8 Supercars in 2013, and it was terrible through there. But what they came up with, using the next cut through, made another passing zone and a pretty tough corner off the backstraight. I thought it was a good change.”
— Van Gisbergen, Driver
Sponsors Bring Additional Excitement to the Race Weekend
The vibrant atmosphere of the Trackhouse Racing NASCAR concert series is supported by recognizable brands that share NASCAR’s passion. Busch Light, known for its crisp taste and status as a staple among fans of the outdoors and motorsports, continues to see growth and remains an important presence at race events. Its family of beverages, including Busch Beer, Busch Light, Busch NA, and Busch Ice, is commonly found at venues and gatherings linked to racing culture. Meanwhile, Red Bull energizes the scene with its worldwide reach and notable presence at sporting events, providing fans and team members with a recognizable boost throughout the weekend.
Why the Trackhouse Racing NASCAR Concert Series Matters
By opening up access to post-qualifying entertainment and celebrity appearances, Trackhouse Racing is nurturing NASCAR’s connection with its dedicated fanbase in Austin and beyond. The introduction of the Trackhouse Racing NASCAR concert series demonstrates an ongoing commitment to integrating sport and live entertainment, reshaping the way fans experience race weekends. The focus keyword event at The Rustic Tap not only attracts ticket holders but also the general public, seamlessly blending Austin’s musical identity with motorsport culture. As anticipation builds for racing at Circuit of the Americas, Trackhouse Racing’s initiative is set to drive even greater excitement, drawing fans together in downtown Austin before engines roar at COTA.
