Alright, NASCAR fans—we’re heading to Texas! After the chaos at Atlanta, it’s time for a completely different challenge: the Circuit of The Americas (COTA).
This track is no joke—3.426 miles of pure road course madness, 20 turns, elevation changes, hard-braking zones, and high-speed straights. If you’re a driver who loves road courses, this is where you shine. If not? Well… good luck.
COTA rewards precision, patience, and aggressive but calculated driving. Picking the right drivers for a road course is completely different from a superspeedway, so I’ve done the research to give you the best fantasy lineup for this weekend.
Let’s get into it!
What to Expect at COTA
1️⃣ Road Course Specialists Will Dominate
Some drivers are just built for road courses. Think Chase Elliott, Tyler Reddick, and Kyle Larson—guys who have mastered braking zones, corner exits, and saving their tires for the long run.
✔ Drivers who struggle on road courses (looking at you, Logano) will likely have a rough day.
✔ Avoid guys who rely on raw speed but lack finesse in technical sections.
2️⃣ Strategy and Pit Stops Are Crucial
✔ This race is likely to see different pit strategies, meaning track position will change constantly.
✔ Expect some teams to short-pit before the stages to gain track position.
3️⃣ No More Stage Cautions!
✔ Unlike ovals, stage breaks don’t bring out cautions on road courses anymore.
✔ This means green flag strategy is even more important—teams will prioritize fuel windows over stage points.
Bryan’s Fantasy Lineup for COTA
Michael McDowell (#71)
Shane van Gisbergen(#88)
A.J. Allmendinger (#16)
Tyler Reddick (Main Driver) – #45 Toyota (23XI Racing)
✔ Why he’s in my lineup: I locked Reddick in for the season, and luckily, he’s actually great at road courses. He won last year’s COTA race and has proven to be one of the best in the field on these types of tracks.
✔ Why I like him at COTA: He’s got the aggression to make passes in the technical sections, but he’s also smart enough to not burn up his tires early.
✔ Fantasy Risk Level: Low (Barring a mechanical issue, Reddick is a top-5 threat here.)
Chase Elliott (#9 Chevrolet – Hendrick Motorsports)
✔ Why he’s in my lineup: The King of Road Courses. Elliott has seven career road course wins, and he won the inaugural COTA race in 2021.
✔ Why I like him at COTA: Hendrick Motorsports has always brought fast cars to road courses, and Elliott’s ability to manage braking zones, tire wear, and restarts makes him a safe fantasy pick.
✔ Fantasy Risk Level: Low (If you’re playing fantasy and don’t pick Elliott at COTA, what are you doing?)
Kyle Larson (#5 Chevrolet – Hendrick Motorsports)
✔ Why he’s in my lineup: Larson is just as dangerous as Elliott on road courses. He’s got wins at Sonoma and Watkins Glen and knows how to control a loose race car better than anyone.
✔ Why I like him at COTA: He might qualify on pole (he’s an excellent road course qualifier) and, if so, expect him to lead a ton of laps early.
✔ Fantasy Risk Level: Medium (If he doesn’t overdrive the car, he’s a win contender.)
A.J. Allmendinger (#16 Chevrolet – Kaulig Racing)
✔ Why he’s in my lineup: If Chase Elliott is the King of Road Courses, A.J. Allmendinger is the Prince. He’s won in Cup, Xfinity, and IndyCar on road courses.
✔ Why I like him at COTA: Kaulig Racing builds their cars specifically for road courses, and Allmendinger’s experience means he knows how to make moves in the technical sections.
✔ Fantasy Risk Level: Medium (He won’t win on raw speed, but he can pick up a sneaky top-10.)
Michael McDowell (#71 Chevrolet for Spire Motorsports)
✔ Why he’s in my lineup: McDowell is an underrated road course driver. People forget he started in sports cars before NASCAR, meaning these tracks are his bread and butter.
✔ Why I like him at COTA: He’s not a flashy pick, but he’s had multiple top-10 finishes at places like Sonoma, Road America, and Watkins Glen.
✔ Fantasy Risk Level: Medium (If his team nails the strategy, he could be a top-10 steal.)
Shane van Gisbergen (#88 Chevrolet – Trackhouse Racing)
✔ Why he’s in my lineup: SVG burst onto the NASCAR scene with a stunning debut victory at the 2023 Chicago Street Race, showcasing his exceptional road course talent. Now, as a full-time Cup Series driver in 2025, he’s eager to replicate that success at COTA.
✔ Why I like him at COTA: Van Gisbergen’s extensive background in Australian Supercars, where he clinched three championships, has honed his skills on diverse road courses. His adaptability and aggressive driving style make him a formidable contender on COTA’s technical layout.
✔ Fantasy Risk Level: Medium (While his road course prowess is undeniable, his limited experience in NASCAR’s Cup Series introduces some unpredictability.)
🏁 Final Thought: SVG’s impressive transition to NASCAR, combined with his road racing expertise, positions him as a potential high-reward pick for fantasy lineups at COTA.
✔ Fantasy Risk Level: High (He’s a gamble, but if he stays clean, he can surprise people.)
Drivers I Left Off (And Why)
❌ Denny Hamlin (#11 Toyota – Joe Gibbs Racing) – Hamlin isn’t bad at road courses, but he’s not great either. I think there are better options for this track.
❌ Joey Logano (#22 Ford – Team Penske) – He’s too inconsistent on road courses. He’ll either have a great day or completely flop. I’m not taking that risk.
❌ Ross Chastain (#1 Chevrolet – Trackhouse Racing) – I debated picking him because he won here in 2022, but I think he’s cooled off on road courses lately.
Final Thoughts: How I Built This Lineup
✔ I wanted road course specialists (Elliott, Allmendinger, McDowell).
✔ I needed a mix of elite and sneaky-good picks (Larson and Erik Jones).
✔ I focused on drivers who can survive and finish well—because, let’s be real, COTA can get chaotic.
🚀 I feel good about this lineup, and I think it’s got the perfect balance of upside and consistency. Let’s see how it plays out on Sunday!
Author Profile
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Hey there race fans, welcome to Driving on Marbles, where I break down NASCAR with real insight, smart strategy, and race by race analysis. This isn’t just race recaps and highlight talk, it’s trends, track history, driver momentum, and the little details that actually make a difference on race day.
Whether you’re setting your fantasy lineup, looking for betting angles, or just want to understand why things happen on the track, I’ve got you covered. My goal is simple: help fans see the race the way teams and strategists do, one decision, one adjustment, one edge at a time.
If you love NASCAR and want more than surface level coverage, you’re in the right place.
Let’s get you closer to the action.
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