NASCAR & Racing Schedules: Austin, St. Petersburg & Beyond – 2024 Dates & Results
AUSTIN, TEXAS – A busy weekend of motorsports is set to unfold across the United States, encompassing NASCAR, Formula 1, IndyCar, and NHRA drag racing. Events are scheduled in Texas and Florida, with Formula 1 kicking off its season in Australia.
NASCAR Weekend in Austin
The NASCAR Cup Series heads to the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, for the DuraMax Grand Prix Powered by RelaDyne on . Practice and qualifying are scheduled for , preceding the 95-lap, 228-mile race. Last year’s race saw Christopher Bell emerge victorious, edging out Kyle Busch in the closing laps. Tyler Reddick currently holds the momentum, having secured his second consecutive series win in a race marked by a record 57 lead changes.
Alongside the Cup Series, the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series will also be in action at the Circuit of the Americas with the Focused Health 250. Connor Zilisch, who secured a win at the track last year after overcoming an early penalty, will be one to watch. Sheldon Creed recently claimed his first series win at EchoPark Speedway.
Further east, the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series will hold the inaugural OnlyBulls Green Flag 150 at the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg in Florida. Kyle Busch, a dominant force in the series, recently recorded his ninth win at EchoPark Speedway.
Formula 1 Season Begins
The Formula 1 season officially begins with the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on . The 2025 season culminated in a dramatic finish, with Lando Norris securing his first world championship, narrowly defeating Max Verstappen by just two points.
IndyCar at St. Petersburg
The NTT IndyCar Series will also be racing in St. Petersburg, Florida, at the Firestone Grand Prix. Alex Palou, the reigning series champion – having secured the title in four of the last five seasons – dominated the streets of St. Petersburg last year, finishing ahead of teammate Scott Dixon. The event schedule includes practice sessions on and , followed by qualifications on Saturday afternoon and the race on .
NHRA and World of Outlaws
NHRA drag racing is scheduled to resume on in Gainesville, Florida. The World of Outlaws will host the Bike Week Jamboree on and .
The NASCAR Cup Series schedule reflects a shift in recent years, with the Coke Zero Sugar 400, traditionally held around the Fourth of July, moving to late August in 2020 and becoming the last race of the regular season (with a temporary adjustment in 2024 due to the Summer Olympics). The Coke Zero Sugar 400, held at Daytona International Speedway, has a long history, dating back to 1959, and is the second major stock car event at Daytona, alongside the Daytona 500.
David Pearson holds the record for most wins in the Coke Zero Sugar 400 with five victories, while Wood Brothers Racing has the most team wins with ten. Ford is the most successful manufacturer in the race, boasting 23 wins. The race has undergone several name changes throughout its history, including the Firecracker 250, Firecracker 400, Pepsi 400, and Coke Zero 400 powered by Coca-Cola.
The Circuit of the Americas, the venue for the NASCAR races in Austin, is a 2.5-mile asphalt track with four turns. The NASCAR Cup Series race distance is 95 laps, covering 228 miles.