NASCAR COTA February 2026 Qualifying: Results Report
The NASCAR Cup Series drivers are gearing up for an exciting race at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) in Austin, Texas. This event is set to take place after two critical sessions: practice and qualifying, which will determine the starting grid for the upcoming race.
NASCAR COTA February 2026 Qualifying Results
On March 1, 2026, Tyler Reddick claimed the coveted pole position with an impressive lap time of 1:37.760. Following him, several strong contenders showcased their skills during the qualifying rounds. Here are the full results:
| Position | Driver | Best Time (seconds) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyler Reddick | 97.760 |
| 2 | Ross Chastain | 97.897 |
| 3 | Chase Briscoe | 97.913 |
| 4 | Ryan Blaney | 97.982 |
| 5 | Chase Elliott | 98.002 |
| 6 | Michael McDowell | 98.147 |
| 7 | AJ Allmendinger | 98.152 |
| 8 | Christopher Bell | 98.204 |
| 9 | Ty Gibbs | 98.259 |
| 10 | William Byron | 98.909 |
COTA Practice Results
Prior to qualifying, teams participated in a practice session on February 28, 2026. Michael McDowell topped the leaderboard with a best time of 99.023 seconds. Here are the notable practice results:
| Position | Driver | Best Time (seconds) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Michael McDowell | 99.023 |
| 2 | Ryan Blaney | 99.091 |
| 3 | Connor Zilisch | 99.253 |
| 4 | Kyle Larson | 99.347 |
| 5 | Todd Gilliland | 99.428 |
As the NASCAR Cup Series heads into the race at COTA, teams will focus on refining their strategies based on these crucial qualifying and practice results. Fans can expect an exhilarating race with top drivers vying for victory on this challenging track.
