RFK Racing is gearing up for a pivotal weekend as the NASCAR Cup Series returns to the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) in Austin, Texas, this Sunday, March 1, at 3:30 p.m. ET. With a renewed focus and a history of road course success, the team hopes to make its mark in the RFK Racing COTA Advance, aiming to clinch its seventh Cup Series win on a road circuit.
Spotlight on COTA: Race Details and Schedule
The Circuit of the Americas will feature a 17-turn, 2.4-mile configuration for this event, diverging from the longer Grand Prix circuit used in 2023. The race format spans 95 laps and 228 miles, broken into three stages at laps 20, 45, and 95. Spectators can tune in via FOX television or follow on PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Channel 90). The event sees practice and qualifying sessions on Saturday morning before the main event Sunday afternoon.
This year marks just the sixth appearance of the Cup Series at COTA, making it one of the younger additions to the NASCAR calendar. The Austin road course is known for its technical complexity and physical demand, setting the stage for a challenging contest for drivers and teams alike.
Pilots and Crews: RFK Racing’s Lineup at COTA
RFK Racing fields a trio of contenders for the COTA round: Brad Keselowski in the No. 6 entry with crew chief Jeremy Bullins and support from Graza; Chris Buescher in the No. 17 car alongside Scott Graves and partner Trimble; and Ryan Preece piloting the No. 60 with crew chief Derrick Finley and Castrol as partner. Each driver enters the weekend with unique strengths and aspirations, eager to secure strong results for the organization.
Keseolowski’s Recovery and Challenge Ahead
Brad Keselowski faces his sixth start at COTA while continuing to recover from an off-season injury. Despite limited prior top results at this track, his season has started promisingly, including a fifth-place finish in the Daytona 500 and competitive runs at Atlanta. The physically taxing corners of COTA provide a critical test of Keselowski’s endurance, and Joey Hand will be available as a backup should he be needed.
Keselowski’s history at COTA shows a best finish of 14th, achieved four years ago. Overall, in 51 NASCAR Cup Series road course starts, he boasts 11 top-10s, with averages of 17.7 for finish position and 17.9 on the starting grid. His persistence and renewed form could be decisive in RFK Racing’s COTA Advance ambitions.
Buescher: “Road-Course Chris” Eyes the Top in Texas
Chris Buescher, returning to his home state, has earned a reputation for consistency on road tracks. Nicknamed “Road-Course Chris,” Buescher has amassed 18 top-10s across 40 road course races and carries momentum from a win at Watkins Glen in 2024. He enters COTA with three straight top-10 finishes at the venue and a strong average result of 11.4 over four outings in Austin. This pedigree positions him as a potential frontrunner for RFK Racing at COTA.
Preece Continues a Career-Best Run
Ryan Preece rides the momentum from his standout 2025 campaign, which included a win at the Bowman Gray Cook Out Clash and a top-10 last week. Heading into his fifth COTA attempt, Preece’s best result on this circuit is 15th, achieved in 2021. Across 26 road course events, he has three top-10s and averages a 21.1 finish, demonstrating both resilience and growth as he seeks to elevate his position for the team in Austin.
Historic RFK Racing Road Course Triumphs
Jack Roush’s racing outfit boasts six NASCAR Cup Series road course victories—a hallmark of success for the organization. Mark Martin, a NASCAR Hall of Famer, leads with four Cup wins for RFK on road courses, including a legendary three-peat at Watkins Glen from 1993 to 1995—all from pole positions. He also secured a Sonoma win in 1997. Carl Edwards claimed victory for RFK at Sonoma in 2014, and Chris Buescher added the latest triumph in 2024 at Watkins Glen after a hard-fought battle with Shane van Gisbergen.
RFK Racing’s track record reveals 278 Cup Series starts on road courses, yielding six wins, 45 top-five finishes, and 97 top-10s, with an impressive 17.3 average finish. These statistics underscore the team’s deep-seated capability on the nation’s most challenging layouts.
Memorable Moments and Key Contributors
The legacy of RFK’s success is woven with standout performers. Mark Martin’s dominance in the mid-1990s, leading a combined 183 laps across three consecutive Watkins Glen victories, set a high standard. Carl Edwards’ cross-series accomplishments include wins at Road America, Montreal, and Watkins Glen in the Xfinity and Truck Series. Crew chief Scott Graves has also played a vital role, contributing to multiple road course wins, including guiding Buescher to his first Xfinity win at Mid-Ohio in 2014 and recent Cup triumphs.
Buescher’s partnership with Graves continues to yield results, most notably the 2024 win at Watkins Glen where he led 19 laps under intense pressure. RFK’s history is further enriched by Truck Series successes from drivers like Ruttman, Biffle, and Bliss at venues such as Sonoma, Portland, and WGI, emphasizing the breadth of the team’s road course prowess.
Recent Form: Atlanta Insights and Points Outlook
Last week at EchoPark Speedway in Atlanta, RFK Racing’s cars demonstrated notable pace and perseverance. Ryan Preece led the team to a solid ninth-place finish with a late-race push, while Chris Buescher survived late incidents to secure 15th, maintaining consistent season form. Brad Keselowski ran up front and led four times before settling for 17th after an unpredictable final stretch. After these results, Keselowski and Buescher are tied for ninth in points, with Preece sitting 14th as they arrive for the RFK Racing COTA Advance.
What’s at Stake This Sunday in Austin
With a blend of championship aspirations and a tradition of road course excellence, RFK Racing approaches COTA seeking a breakthrough in the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series. The team’s experience with past winners like Mark Martin and Carl Edwards, coupled with the consistency of drivers like Chris Buescher, puts them in strong contention. Sunday’s race not only serves as a critical test for Keselowski’s recovery and Preece’s continued emergence but also as a chance for RFK Racing to cement its reputation as a premier road course team. As the engines roar in Austin, all eyes are set on whether the organization can capture another milestone in the RFK Racing COTA Advance.
