The starting lineup for NASCAR race today at Circuit of The Americas is now official, and fans across the United States have the confirmed race-day grid for the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series DuraMAX Texas Grand Prix Powered by RelaDyne. With qualifying complete in Austin, Texas, the field is set for Sunday’s highly anticipated road course showdown.
As of Sunday, March 1, 2026, Tyler Reddick will lead the field from the pole position as he looks to continue his strong early-season momentum. The green flag is set to drop with a competitive 37-car lineup ready to tackle one of NASCAR’s most technical tracks.
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Pole Position at COTA: Reddick Leads the Field
Tyler Reddick earned the Busch Light Pole Award during Saturday’s qualifying session at the 2.4-mile Circuit of The Americas road course. His fastest lap secured the No. 45 Toyota the top starting spot for today’s race.
Starting alongside him on the front row is Ross Chastain in the No. 1 Chevrolet. That front-row pairing sets up an immediate battle heading into Turn 1, one of the most dramatic braking zones on the NASCAR schedule.
Reddick enters the race in strong form and will attempt to capitalize on clean air early. Track position matters significantly at COTA, especially during the opening laps when the field remains tightly packed.
Official Starting Lineup for Today’s NASCAR Race
Below is the complete starting lineup for NASCAR race today at Circuit of The Americas:
| Position | Car # | Driver |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 45 | Tyler Reddick |
| 2 | 1 | Ross Chastain |
| 3 | 19 | Chase Briscoe |
| 4 | 12 | Ryan Blaney |
| 5 | 9 | Chase Elliott |
| 6 | 71 | Michael McDowell |
| 7 | 16 | A.J. Allmendinger |
| 8 | 20 | Christopher Bell |
| 9 | 54 | Ty Gibbs |
| 10 | 24 | William Byron |
| 11 | 38 | Zane Smith |
| 12 | 77 | Carson Hocevar |
| 13 | 97 | Shane van Gisbergen |
| 14 | 17 | Chris Buescher |
| 15 | 5 | Kyle Larson |
| 16 | 48 | Alex Bowman |
| 17 | 34 | Todd Gilliland |
| 18 | 41 | Cole Custer |
| 19 | 11 | Denny Hamlin |
| 20 | 22 | Joey Logano |
| 21 | 10 | Ty Dillon |
| 22 | 21 | Josh Berry |
| 23 | 7 | Daniel Suárez |
| 24 | 23 | Bubba Wallace |
| 25 | 88 | Connor Zilisch |
| 26 | 6 | Brad Keselowski |
| 27 | 33 | Jesse Love |
| 28 | 2 | Austin Cindric |
| 29 | 60 | Ryan Preece |
| 30 | 8 | Kyle Busch |
| 31 | 42 | John Hunter Nemechek |
| 32 | 35 | Riley Herbst |
| 33 | 3 | Austin Dillon |
| 34 | 47 | Ricky Stenhouse Jr. |
| 35 | 4 | Noah Gragson |
| 36 | 43 | Erik Jones |
| 37 | 51 | Cody Ware |
All positions reflect the official qualifying results for March 1, 2026.
Why Starting Position Matters at COTA
Circuit of The Americas presents unique challenges compared to traditional oval tracks. The 2.4-mile layout features sharp corners, elevation changes, and heavy braking zones.
Drivers who begin near the front gain a clear advantage:
- Clean air improves handling and tire management
- Reduced early-race traffic lowers contact risk
- Strategic control during stage breaks becomes easier
Road courses demand precision. Teams must balance pit strategy with track position throughout the race.
Drivers to Watch From the Front Rows
Several top contenders start inside the top 10 today:
- Ryan Blaney begins fourth
- Chase Elliott rolls off fifth
- Christopher Bell starts eighth
- William Byron lines up tenth
These drivers have shown strength on road courses and could challenge for the win if strategy aligns in their favor.
Meanwhile, established veterans like Denny Hamlin and Joey Logano start mid-pack. Their experience could help them climb forward as long green-flag runs develop.
Mid-Pack and Deep Field Challenges
Drivers starting outside the top 20 face immediate pressure. Passing at COTA requires patience and precise timing. Mistakes in braking zones can cost multiple positions in seconds.
Notable names starting deeper in the field include:
- Kyle Busch (30th)
- Austin Cindric (28th)
- Brad Keselowski (26th)
Each will need strong pit calls and clean execution to contend late in the race.
Race Outlook
With 37 cars set to take the green flag, today’s event promises strategic variation and intense road-course action. Tire wear, fuel windows, and stage strategy will shape the outcome.
The early laps should reveal whether Reddick can maintain control from pole or if Chastain challenges immediately entering Turn 1. Expect position changes throughout the field as teams adjust strategies during stage breaks.
The starting lineup for NASCAR race today sets the stage for what could be one of the most competitive road course events of the 2026 Cup Series season.
Who do you think will take advantage of this starting grid and capture the win at Circuit of The Americas? Share your prediction and stay tuned for race results.
