The NASCAR Cup Series is headed to the storied Austin track, Circuit of the Americas, this week. The road course has plenty of drama on its own, but changes to the track this year, some bubbling beef in the garage and an 18-year-old phenom’s debut make this Sunday’s race a must-see event.

Connor Zilisch will make his NASCAR Cup Series debut Sunday in the Circuit of the Americas (1:30 p.m. CT, FOX). Zilisch started racing go-karts when he was five. He moved up to the ARCA Menards Series in 2023 and the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and Xfinity Series in 2024.

NASCAR legend Kevin Harvick has thrown his support behind William Byron as the favorite to win the NASCAR Cup Series race at the Circuit of the Americas this weekend. The 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season began on a high note with Hendrick Motorsports driver William Byron clinching the victory at the Daytona 500.

Located in Austin, Texas, Circuit of The Americas will play host to the NASCAR Cup Series' third points race of the 2025 season. It will be the first non-drafting track to host a points race this year.