EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix NASCAR Cup Series race at the Circuits of The Americas in Austin, Texas on March 2, 2025. (Photo: Ralph Arvesen)
Christopher Bell proved prophetic, and his Joe Gibbs Racing crew proved masterful, as he captured a thrilling victory in the EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas. In a race defined by chaotic restarts, bold strategy, and a sensational late-race duel, Bell's win marks his second straight Cup Series victory and solidifies his place as a road course threat.
The action began almost immediately, with a multi-car incident in Turn 1 on the opening lap. A bump from Ross Chastain sent Chase Elliott spinning, damaging his front suspension and dropping the fan-favorite to the rear of the field. Meanwhile, rookie road course prodigy Connor Zilisch's highly anticipated Cup debut was marred by the same incident. Despite the early setback, Elliott showcased incredible determination, recovering from a broken toe link and a 36th-place restart to claw his way back into contention.
But the story of the day was a strategic chess match and a hard-fought battle for the lead. Kyle Busch, in his No. 8 Chevrolet, was the class of the field for much of the day, leading a race-high 42 laps and showing the blistering speed needed to end his winless streak. His crew chief, Randall Burnett, made a crucial call to pit with fresher tires on Lap 78, giving Busch a significant lead over the field as the final green-flag pit stops cycled through.
However, Bell's crew chief, Adam Stevens, played a patient, long-game strategy. Bell stayed out two laps longer than Busch during the final pit cycle, and those two circuits proved to be the difference-maker. As the final green flag flew on Lap 83, Busch held the lead, but Bell, on his superior and fresher tires, was closing fast.
The final five laps were a spectacle of high-stakes road course racing. Bell stalked Busch, pulling alongside him off Turn 20 on Lap 90. He then executed a clean, precise pass for the lead just before the start/finish line. The move momentarily took the air off Busch's car, dropping him from first to fifth in a matter of a few corners.
With the lead now secured, Bell faced one final challenge: a hard-charging William Byron, who had passed Busch for second. Byron closed the gap to just 0.433 seconds, hounding Bell through COTA's final corners. But Bell held firm, demonstrating the grit and composure of a champion to cross the finish line first.
The win was Bell's first at COTA and the 11th of his career. It was a race that celebrated clean, professional driving among the sport's best. While Bell celebrated, the story of the day also belongs to Kyle Busch, who came so close to victory, and Chase Elliott, who proved his resilience with a remarkable fourth-place finish.
Behind the top three of Bell, Byron, and Tyler Reddick, Elliott finished fourth, followed by a disappointed Kyle Busch in fifth. Rookie Shane van Gisbergen rounded out the top six, continuing to impress on the road courses. It was a race that had everything: dramatic crashes, incredible comebacks, strategic pit calls, and a breathtaking duel to the checkered flag, making it one of the most memorable COTA races in recent history.
| Pos | Driver | Number | Starting Pos | Laps Led | Points |
| 1 | Christopher Bell | 20 | 19 | 8 | 42 |
| 2 | William Byron | 24 | 15 | 1 | 41 |
| 3 | Tyler Reddick | 45 | 1 | 9 | 39 |
| 4 | Chase Elliott | 9 | 3 | 0 | 39 |
| 5 | Kyle Busch | 8 | 8 | 42 | 46 |
| 6 | Shane Van Gisbergen | 88 | 6 | 23 | 45 |
| 7 | Chris Buescher | 17 | 24 | 0 | 30 |
| 8 | Noah Gragson | 4 | 17 | 0 | 29 |
| 9 | Alex Bowman | 48 | 21 | 0 | 28 |
| 10 | Todd Gilliland | 34 | 10 | 0 | 27 |
NASCAR
NASCAR is the largest racing organization in the United States and is most famous for the Cup Series, Xfinity Series, and Camping World Truck Series. Each year NASCAR sanctions over 1,500 races at over 100 tracks in 48 US states as well as in Canada, Mexico, and Europe.
Circuit of The Americas
Circuit of The Americas is the premier destination for world-class motorsports and entertainment in the United States. Set on 1,500 acres in the rolling hills just outside downtown Austin, Circuit of The Americas has hosted the biggest names in racing, action sports and music since 2012. At its heart is a 3.41-mile racetrack that was designed to challenge the world's most exacting competitors while providing a thrilling spectacle for audiences.
The 20-turn, counterclockwise circuit takes advantage of the naturally undulating landscape, including an intimidating 133-foot hill at Turn 1 that must be seen in person to be believed. It is home to Formula 1 United States Grand Prix, NASCAR EchoPark Texas Grand Prix, and MotoGP Red Bull Grand Prix of The Americas, and has played host to ESPN's X Games, the FIA World Endurance Championship, IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, Pirelli World Challenge and more.
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