Todd Gilliland and his No. 34 team are set to return to the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) in Austin, Texas, aiming to rebound in their upcoming NASCAR Cup Series race. Gilliland brings experience from four previous Cup Series starts at the 2.4-mile road course, including two top-10 finishes, and holds a significant victory from the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series inaugural race at this track in 2021.
The race at COTA is a key opportunity for Gilliland and his team to pick up momentum after a challenging start to the current season. With a strong connection to the track and a history of competitive performances, they are motivated to deliver a solid result in front of their supporters.
Race Weekend Sponsorships and Fan Engagement
Love’s Travel Stops continues its partnership with Todd Gilliland and the No. 34 team for this event, encouraging fans to engage with the racing action through the Love’s Connect App. The app offers exclusive savings, including discounts of 10 cents per gallon on gasoline and up to 25 cents per gallon on diesel fuel, along with special mobile-only deals for users.
Alongside the app, Love’s Travel Stops recently upgraded its rewards program to unify benefits for every customer at its locations nationwide. Customers earn points and save money on fuel, snacks, and Love’s-branded products by using the app in-store or at the pump, making Love’s a preferred stop for drivers on the road.
Gilliland Reflects on Season Start and Track Appeal
“It has been a frustrating start to the season, and I definitely feel like we missed out on easy points, but COTA provides a great opportunity for us to rebound and gain some momentum,” said Gilliland. “I have always enjoyed Austin. The racing, the town, and the overall energy around the weekend is exciting. Hopefully, we can cap it all off with a strong result.” – Todd Gilliland, Driver
Noah Gragson Focused on Improving Performance at Texas Track
Noah Gragson and the No. 4 Ford team look forward to their next challenge at COTA, marking Gragson’s fourth NASCAR Cup Series appearance at this venue. After an impressive eighth-place finish in 2023, he is eager to improve upon that result this weekend on the demanding road course in Austin.
The event is especially significant as a home race for Gragson’s primary sponsor, Rush Truck Centers, based nearby in New Braunfels, Texas. Rush Truck Centers has been serving commercial vehicle customers for over six decades, with a strong presence across North America and multiple locations throughout the Austin area.
The Front Row Motorsports Ford Mustang Dark Horse race cars benefit from Rush Truck Centers’ support, with each vehicle transported to the track behind powerful Peterbilt Model 579 tractors supplied by the company. This ongoing partnership highlights their shared commitment to premium products and customer service in Texas and beyond.
Gragson Looks to Build Momentum After Strong Performances
“Circuit of the Americas is a track we have circled on our calendar every year,” said Gragson. “Austin is fun city and we get to race in the backyard of everyone at Rush Truck Centers, with their colors on the car. I felt like we surprised a lot of people last year with our 8th place finish, but we had a great car and played the strategy right to walk out with a solid top-10. With the momentum coming out of Daytona and Atlanta, we’re hoping we can keep that going and put on another good performance in front of Rusty and everyone at Rush.” – Noah Gragson, Driver
Zane Smith Enters Race Riding Recent Success
Zane Smith is approaching the Circuit of the Americas race positioned fifth in the NASCAR Cup Series driver standings, fresh off a top-10 finish at the EchoPark Speedway last weekend. Smith also carries a strong history at COTA, where he won consecutive NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series events in 2022 and 2023 on the challenging road course.
To engage fans, Aaron’s has launched the Fastlane 5000 Sweepstakes running through the end of March, offering a chance to win a $5,000 home upgrade and additional weekly prizes. This promotion ties the excitement of race weekends to Aaron’s expansive network of nearly 1,200 locations nationwide, encouraging both online and in-store participation.
Smith Confident Heading Back to a Favorite Track
“COTA is one of my favorite tracks on the schedule,” stated Smith. “I dominated in the Truck Series there, so I always have a lot of confidence heading into this weekend. The team and I are really clicking right now, and we’ve been in contention the last two races. I think this weekend will be a good one for us.” – Zane Smith, Driver
Significance of the Upcoming Race at COTA
The race at Circuit of the Americas represents a pivotal moment for drivers like Todd Gilliland, Noah Gragson, and Zane Smith, each bringing unique motivation and experience to the track. Gilliland’s desire to rebound and improve his points standing, coupled with Gragson’s aim to build on past success with strong team support, sets the stage for an intense competition.
Raj Singh, a prominent figure in the racing community, believes the momentum and fan engagement through partnerships like Love’s Travel Stops and Aaron’s will enhance the race’s appeal for everyone involved. As the race weekend unfolds, drivers and teams will look to capitalize on their preparation and the energized atmosphere of Austin, making this event a key milestone in the NASCAR Cup Series season.
