2024 NASCAR Cup Series EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix Preview
Photo: Nigel Kinrade/Motorsport Images
Austin, Texas is the destination for the first road course race of the NASCAR Cup Series schedule at COTA for the EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix. Coverage starts at 3:30PM EST on FOX.
Last year’s race was a battle between WIlliam Byron and Tyler Reddick, with Reddick winning in the end, leading 41 of the 75 laps.
Best Bets for Cup
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Best Bets for Cup |
Tyler Reddick +350 | Top 5 -140 | Top -360
Last year’s race winner, Tyler Reddick, enters this weekend as the favorite to win on Sunday. Since the move to the NextGen in 2022, Reddick has proven to be one of, if not, the best driver on road courses. In 11 races he’s won three races, finished inside the Top 10 in nine races, and has an average finish of 9th. After a disappointing weekend in Bristol, expect a turnaround race from Reddick and the 23XI boys.
Chase Elliott +750 | Top 5 +140 | Top 10 -200
Albeit was a rain shortened race, Chase Elliott won NASCAR’s first trip to COTA in 2021. Despite not racing last year due to injury, Elliott hasn’t lost his footing on the road courses. In his other four starts on road courses in 2023, Elliott finished inside the Top 10 in three of the four races, including 2nd at the Indy Road Course. He hasn’t won since 2022, but that could change on Sunday.
Shane van Gisbergen +1300 | Top 5 +210 | Top 10 -130
Shane van Gisbergen took the motorsports world by storm when he won in his forst NASCAR start last year at the Chicago Street Course. He makes his first Cup start this season, while competing full time in the Xfinity Series. He finished 10th in his other cup start last year at the Indy Road Course. Should be an exciting race for the New Zealand native.
Ross Chastain +1600 | Top 5 +260 | Top 10 -110
COTA was the sigh of Ross Chastain’s first career win in the Cup Series back in 2022, and he’s taken a liking to this track in his career. He’s finished inside the Top 5 in every Cup start at COTA, with his worse finish being 4th…twice. Don’t count out the Melon Man this weekend, he’ll be a fun one to watch.
Michael McDowell +2000 | Top 5 +300 | Top 10 +105
Michael McDowell was able to qualify for the Playoffs with his win last year on the Indy Road Course. He’s had an average finish of 13th on road courses since the switch to the NextGen. He’s no longer considered an underdog, he’s been in the mix over the last year with Front Row Motorsports, as they continue to get better week after week.
Chris Buescher +2200 | Top 5 +325 | Top 10 +115
Chris Buescher has become a stellar road course race over the last couple of years. He’s finished inside the Top 10 in nine of the eleven road course races under the NextGen, with an average finish 8th. Look for another Top 10 performance for one half of the RFK Racing stable.
Alex Bowman +2500 | Top 5 +350 | Top 10 +135
With many fingers being pointed to Alex Bowman as the weak link in Hendrick Motorpsorts, this Sunday will be a race where Bowman will look to silence the doubters. He’s finished inside the Top 10 in every start at COTA since NASCAR’s debut in 2021. After coming off a strong 4th place run at Bristol, expect the momentum to continue rolling into Austin.