With the announcement of the 2021 NASCAR schedule on the horizon, it will mark almost three months since NASCAR pushed back the release. Many tracks such as Gateway, Road America and Circuit of the Americas have been rumored. However, with the schedule being released soon, one new track has been leaked early.
According to The Athletic, NASCAR will be going to the Circuit of the Americas starting in the 2021 season.
This marks one of many new tracks NASCAR is expected to add in its 2021 schedule.
Why another road course for NASCAR?
Fans have been clamoring for more road courses and short tracks. Because of that, NASCAR is expected to turn Auto Club Speedway into a short track. They hope to have the track ready by 2023, at the latest.
The Daytona Road Course in August was a big success and they could look at the possibility of giving them an extra date. Teams such as Hendrick Motorsports and Joe Gibbs Racing will benefit from more road courses.
For the longest time, NASCAR only had two short tracks per year. It gives more variety to the schedule and limits the number of cookie-cutter tracks and ovals. What the fans want is important.
The All-Star Race at Texas Motor Speedway?
Texas Motor Speedway and Eddie Gossage have been adamant about their desires to keep two race dates. With this move, they still would keep two. Along with the news of COTA being added to the schedule, the 2021 All-Star Race will be moved to Texas Motor Speedway.
This move most likely gives incentive for TMS and Gossage to drop a race. The All-Star Race is one of the most-looked forward to races of the whole season.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, NASCAR moved the All-Star Race to Bristol Motor Speedway this year. This will mark the third year of a different track for the race.
The bottom line
This is a win-win for both NASCAR and Texas Motor Speedway. The fans want more road courses, while Texas Motor Speedway will gain the All-Star Race. It is important to add variety to the schedule and NASCAR is listening to what the fans want. That has been an issue for the previous few years.
Adding COTA will bring the road course total to four tracks: Charlotte Roval, COTA, Sonoma, and Watkins Glen. Road America is another road course that could find its way onto the newly released schedule.
NASCAR is expected to announce the 2021 schedule this week, with at least four new tracks.