The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series continues in the Lone Star State this weekend, but it was not expected to go down quite like this.
Sunday’s showdown in Austin (3.30pm ET, FOX) of course takes place on a road course, meaning there can be only one man heading the market - New Zealand sensation Shane van Gisbergen.
NASCAR RACE TODAY: COTA start times, schedule, how to watch live on TV and stream
The Trackhouse star grabbed five road course wins in 2025, absolutely dominating his rivals in imperious fashion. They were not just wins, more brutal beatdowns.
Everybody expected SvG to qualify on pole in Saturday's qualifying session, but it did not turn out like that. Instead it was 23XI Racing star Tyler Reddick - winner in Daytona and Atlanta already in 2026 - who stole the show.
Despite that shock, van Gisbergen remains the favorite after qualifying in 13th position. But his odds now are a little bigger.
NASCAR STANDINGS: 23XI Racing dominate with reigning champion out of the Chase
Latest NASCAR COTA Odds
Van Gisbergen had been as short as +120 before qualifying, but now he is trading at +150 (if you place $100 and he wins, you collect $150).
Next up comes that man Reddick at +550 as he seeks a third consecutive Cup Series race victory to start the 2026 campaign. After that it is van Gisbergen's 19-year-old Trackhouse teammate Connor Zilisch at +700 after he qualified a lowly 25th..
Ross Chastain is third in the market at +1000 after qualifying just behind pole sitter Reddick in second, and then it is Chase Elliott (fifth in qualifying) and Ryan Blaney (qualified fourth) both on +1200.
One making a move in the odds is young sensation Carson Hocevar - in to +7500 from +12500 after qualifying 12th on Saturday.
The latest front runners in the odds market are as follows:
- +150 Shane van Gisbergen
- +550 Tyler Reddick
- +700 Connor Zilisch
- +1000 Ross Chastain
- +1200 Chase Elliott
- +1200 Ryan Blaney
- +1600 Christopher Bell
- +1600 William Byron
- +3000 AJ Allmendinger
- +3000 Kyle Larson
- +3000 Chase Briscoe
- +3500 Michael McDowell
- +5000 Alex Bowman
- +5000 Chris Buescher
- +5000 Ty Gibbs
- +6000 Kyle Busch
- +7500 Carson Hocevar
- +1000 Daniel Suarez
- +12500 Denny Hamlin
- +15000 Joey Logano
NASAR COTA Schedule
The race takes place Sunday March 1 at 3.30pm ET and FOX has the broadcast call.
You can check out the full weekend schedule for COTA right here.
