Dominant, William Byron wins at COTA

For the first time this season, it was on a road circuit that the NASCAR Cup Series. At the Circuit Of The Americas in Austin, which also hosts the United States Grand Prix of Formula 1, William Byron led the way from pole position, before winning.

The Hendrick Motorsports driver, however, had to battle at the end of the race against Christopher Bell and his Toyota. Bell moved up four positions to finish second, after winning the first segment of the event. The two men also scrapped against Ross Chastain at the start of the third segment.

“I feel like I made a lot of mistakes in the last 10 laps, just micro-errors, and Christopher was really fast on the long stints”, explained Byron after his success. “We've had a bit of a tough time over the last few weeks, but we prepared a lot last week. I am grateful to the team around me and to all the people who work at the Hendrick factory. »

Difficult race for specialists

If the fourth coming of the Cup Series on COTA was only neutralized twice (each time for the end of segments), the drivers were rather rough! The former Formula 1 driver Kamui Kobayashi, present for a second stint after Indianapolis last year, can attest to this. Hit twice, notably by Ricky Stenhouse Jr., the Japanese had to settle for 29th place at the finish.

For Shane van Gisbergen too, the race was not a smooth ride. The multiple Australian Supercars champion, winner last year on the streets of Chicago, lost the use of his first gear at the start of the race. The Kaulig Racing driver crossed the checkered flag in 20th position. Next stop during the night from Sunday to Monday in Richmond!