IndyCar Heading To Circuit Of The Americas In Texas Next Year

The Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, will serve as the location for the second race of the next IndyCar Series on March 24, 2019.

Organizers for the series had been searching for a replacement for the ISM Raceway in Phoenix and have settled on COTA.

The circuit measures 3.427 miles (5.499 km) and will be the second longest track on the IndyCar calendar. The Formula 1 United States Grand Prix has been held at the Circuit of the Americas since 2012 and the track has consistently delivered some thrilling races.

“COTA is one of the finest motor sports facilities in the world, and Austin is a happening city. This a natural fit for the IndyCar Series,” IndyCar chief executive Mark Miles said.

“We love the Austin market. I think it’s going to love IndyCar. The Circuit of the Americas and (track chairman) Bobby (Epstein) and his team I think are compelling ingredients to long-term success, so I hope that IndyCar is there for many, many years to come.”

The addition of COTA in the calendar doesn’t affect the existing race at the Texas Motor Speedway, which will also be featured next year.

The IndyCar race at Circuit of the Americas will also serve as the only place we get to see the performance difference between modern Formula One cars and IndyCars at the same circuit. The fastest lap recorded by an F1 car at the track was a 1:37.766, set by Sebastian Vettel last year. Lewis Hamilton’s pole position was a blistering 1:33.108. The pole time set by last year’s Porsche 919 Hybrid during the 6 Hours of COTA was a 1:44.741.