Weather Forecast for Circuit of the America’s 2026 NASCAR Race Weekend

What’s Happening?

The NASCAR Truck Series breaks off from the main touring series schedule this weekend, but that doesn’t mean the O’Reilly Auto Parts and Cup Series aren’t racing. So, whether you are going to be at the track or home, what does the forecast look like for the race weekend in Austin, Texas?

• Circuit of the Americas is a state-of-the-art road course facility in South Texas, boasting a stacked schedule of racing from open wheel, motorcycles, and NASCAR. In 2021, inclusion on the schedule marked a turning point for NASCAR, as the series committed to more road course racing into the 2020s.
• Though NASCAR has raced at the circuit since 2021, this is the second season the series will race on the track’s “short course.” Of course, this will be without the Truck Series, as they join the NTT IndyCar Series in St. Petersburg, Florida, for a street race.
• Despite the state’s reputation for hot and dry temps, much like any race on the spring portion of the NASCAR schedule, COTA’s weather can be somewhat unpredictable.

Weekend Weather Forecast

• Via the National Weather Service
• All Listed Times CT (Local)

Saturday, February 28: O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Focused Health 250 | 2:00 PM on The CW

Before the OAP Series Race (11:00 AM – 2:00 PM)

• Temperature: High of 83°F at 2:00 PM
• Precipitation Chance: 1% Chance at Noon
• Wind: 9 to 11 MPH

During the OAP Series Race (2:00 PM – 5:00 PM)

• Temperature: High of 85°F at 4:00 PM
• Precipitation Chance: 1% Chance
• Wind: 10 to 11 MPH

After the OAP Series Race (5:00 PM – 8:00 PM)

• Temperature: High of 84°F at 5:00 PM
• Precipitation Chance: 2% Chance at 6:00 PM
• Wind: 10 MPH

Sunday, March 1: Cup Series DuraMax Grand Prix Powered by RelaDyne | 2:30 PM on FOX

Before the Cup Series Race (11:00 AM – 2:00 PM)

• Temperature: High of 82°F at 2:00 PM
• Precipitation Chance: 1% Chance
• Wind: 11 to 13 MPH

During the Cup Series Race (2:00 PM – 5:00 PM)

• Temperature: High of 84°F at 4:00 PM
• Precipitation Chance: 1% Chance
• Wind: 11 to 13 MPH

After the Cup Series Race (5:00 PM – 8:00 PM)

• Temperature: High of 83°F at 5:00 PM
• Precipitation Chance: 1% Chance
• Wind: 11 MPH

Recent Weather Events at COTA: 2021, Not Technically a Washout

When the three NASCAR National Series rolled into Austin for COTA’s first NASCAR race weekend in 2021, no one could have guessed the chaos that lay in wait. A major rain shower did not prevent the series from racing that day, as, though it was still somewhat foreign at the time, NASCAR sent the Cup Series out in the rain for a chaotic race, ultimately won by Chase Elliott.

Note: This article will be updated with a more accurate and detailed forecast as the race weekend nears.