NASCAR Race Mom: COTA and St. Petersburg #NASCAR Race Schedule

Friday, February 27, 2026

COTA and St. Petersburg #NASCAR Race Schedule

Cup & O'Reilly at Cota / Trucks at St. Petersburg

Circuit of the Americas (COTA) is a Grade 1 FIA-specification 3.426-mile (5.514 km) motor racing track and facilities located in Austin, Texas.

The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series is set for something new this weekend, its first street-circuit race on the Streets of St. Petersburg, Florida. The 1.8-mile, 14-turn waterfront course has long been a challenge for the NTT IndyCar Series, and NASCAR will get its first taste of it this weekend.

Friday, February 27, 2026

7-9 a.m. NASCAR Cup Series Haulers Enter
8-10 a.m. Laps for Charity to Benefit Speedway Children's Charities
9-11 a.m. NASCAR O' Reilly Auto Parts Series Haulers Enter
10 a.m.-6 p.m. NASCAR Credentials & NASCAR at COTA Media Credentials Office Open (Lot R Off Kellam & Elroy Roads Across from COTA Main Entrance)
1 p.m. Parking Lots Open
1-7 p.m. Ticket Office Open
1:00 p.m. – 1:45 p.m. NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Autograph Session – Mahaffey Theater
2 p.m.–30 Min. Post Track Activity Trams Running
2-7:05 p.m. Gate Open (Main Grandstand, Grand Plaza, Gate 1 & 3)
2-2:40 p.m. IMSA VP Racing Sportscar Challenge Practice
4:00 p.m. – 4:50 p.m. NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Practice
4-4:50 p.m. NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series Practice (Timed | 50 Minutes)
5:00-6 p.m. NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series Qualifying
5:05 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Qualifying
6 p.m. First Responder Appreciation Event & Keystone Camper Appreciation Party
6:30-6:45 p.m. IMSA Qualifying (Timed | GSX Entries: 15 Minutes)
6:50-7:05 p.m. IMSA Qualifying (Timed | P3 Entries: 15 Minutes)

Saturday, February 28, 2026

7 a.m. Parking Lots Open
7:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. NASCAR Credentials & NASCAR at COTA Media Credentials Office Open (Lot R Off Kellam & Elroy Roads Across from COTA Main Entrance)
8 a.m.–6 p.m. Ticket Office Open
8 a.m.–One Hour Post Race Trams Running

Fan Assistance Shuttles Running (Donations Benefit Speedway Children's Charities)

8:15 a.m. Gates Open (Main Grandstand, Grand Plaza & Gates 1 & 3)

Public Club & Private Lofts Open

8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Roaming Talent in Fan Zone (AmirrorCAN Men & Animal Stilt Walkers)
9 a.m. NASCAR Cup Series Practice
9 a.m. Funkanometry Performance (Fan Zone)

Sea Lion Splash (Soccer Field)

9:30 a.m. Kardeni (Fan Zone)
9:30 a.m. Speedway Children's Charities Live Auction
10:10 a.m.- 11:00 a.m. NASCAR Cup Series Qualifying
11: 20 a.m. IMSA Pre-Race Ceremonies
11:35 AM NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Driver Introductions
11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m. IMSA Race One

Timed-45 Minutes

12:23 p.m. NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Race

80 Laps

12:50 p.m. Deer Meat for Dinner Meet & Greet (Cracker Barrel Display)
1:25 p.m. NASCAR O' Reilly Parts Series Driver Introductions (Frontstretch)
2:00 p.m. Focused Health 250 NASCAR O' Reilly Auto Parts Series Race

Stages 20/40/65
Laps = 156 miles

5:20-5:30 p.m. IMSA Pre-Race Ceremonies
5:30 p.m.-6:15 p.m. IMSA Race Two

Timed: 45 Minutes

Sunday, March 1, 2026

8 a.m. Parking Lots Open
9 a.m.–6 p.m. Ticket Office Open
9:30 a.m.–One Hour Post Race Trams Running
Fan Assistance Shuttles Running (Donations Benefit Speedway Children's Charities)
10 a.m.–2:30 p.m. NASCAR Credentials & NASCAR at COTA Media Credentials Office Open (Lot R Off Kellam & Elroy Roads Across from COTA Main Entrance)
10 a.m. Gates Open (Main Grandstand, Grand Plaza & Gates 1 & 3)