Gallery: NASCAR at Circuit of the Americas – Part One

By Nick HrehorMarch 29, 2023March 31, 2023Media, NASCAR, Photo of the day

It took three overtimes and a good ole fashioned shootout to the end, but the 2023 edition of the EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas proved to be a hit as NASCAR roared through the Lone Star State. Photographer and Austin-native, Nick Hrehor, was on hand to capture the action for RacerViews as we expand our North American motorsport coverage.

Stay tuned for part two in this series as we go racing under the Texas sun.

All photos are by Nick Hrehor, ©nickhrehorfoto, March 25, 2023.

Saturday: The Iceman returns

Project 91 driver and Formula 1 World Champion, Kimi Räikkönen, speaks to NASCAR media prior to Saturday’s Qualifying effort.

Project 91 driver and Formula 1 World Champion, Kimi Räikkönen, speaks to NASCAR media prior to Saturday’s Qualifying effort.

Trackhouse Racing and Project 91 team owner, Justin Marks, sits with Project 91 driver and Formula 1 World Champion, Kimi Räikkönen, as they speak to NASCAR media prior to Saturday’s Qualifying effort.

Team owner, Justin Marks speaks to NASCAR media prior to Saturday’s Qualifying effort.

Trackhouse Racing and Project 91 team owner, Justin Marks, sits with Project 91 driver and Formula 1 World Champion, Kimi Räikkönen, as they speak to NASCAR media prior to Saturday’s Qualifying effort.

Trackhouse Racing driver, Daniel Suárez, speaks to NASCAR media prior to Saturday’s Qualifying effort.

Trackhouse Racing driver, Daniel Suárez, speaks to NASCAR media prior to Saturday’s Qualifying effort.

Qualifying: Big flags and Bow-tie dominance

Chevrolet put on a clinic as 8 of the top 10 spots for the race were occupied by the bow-tie. Tyler Reddick and Austin Cindric held their own as the lone Toyota and Ford to make the final qualifying session.

2014 Cup Series Champion Kevin Harvick makes his final appearance at COTA. Harvick announced his retirement at the beginning of the season and will be joining the Fox Sports NASCAR Broadcast in 2024.

Jimmie Johnson, 7-time NASCAR Cup Series Champion, makes his 2nd start of 2023 at COTA.

Former Formula 1 World Champion Jenson Button made his first career NASCAR start in the #15 Rick Ware Racing Ford. Button, along with Jimmie Johnson and Mike Rockenfeller, will pilot the NASCAR/Hendrick Garage 56 entry for the 2023 edition of the 24h of LeMans.

IndyCar star and podcast personality Conor Daly made his 2nd NASCAR start of 2023 in the #50 Bitnile Chevrolet.

Texas-Native Chris Buescher leads Ty Dillion over the crest into turn 10.

2022 Champion Joey Logano heads down the hill towards turn 11.

Joe Gibbs Racing driver, and 23XI co-owner Denny Hamlin enters turn 10 as he speeds through qualifying Saturday morning.

Kimi Räikkönen takes turn 10 at the site of his final win in Formula 1.

Stewart-Haas driver Chase Briscoe enters turn 10 during the first round of qualifying on Saturday.

Teammates Brad Keselowski and Chris Buescher tandem as they lead Ty Dillon into turn 10 Saturday morning.

23XI’s Bubba Wallace dives into 10 during qualifying. He would narrowly miss the top ten and started 11th.

2023 Rookie Noah Gragson lifts a wheel in his #42 Black Rifle Coffee Company Chevrolet. He would start Sunday’s race from 10th place.

Kyle Busch exits turn 9 in his RCR Netspend Chevrolet Saturday morning. He would start Sunday in 9th.

Teammates Erik Jones and Noah Gragson exit turn 8 during the final stage of qualifying. Erik would go on to start 8th with teammate Gragson in 10th.

Road course expert AJ Allmendinger leads Kevin Harvick and Conor Daly into turn 10. AJ would start from 7th place on Sunday.

Alex “The Showman” Bowman puts his number 48 Ally Financial Chevrolet 6th on the grid Saturday morning.

Trackhouse Racing’s Daniel Suárez, exits turn 9 in his #99 Freeway Insurance Chevrolet as he qualifies 5th.

IMSA Champion and Corvette Factory Driver, Jordan Taylor, fills in for the injured Chase Elliot in the #9 Hendrick Motorsports Unifirst Chevrolet. He would post the 4th fasted qualifying time.

Penske driver and former sportscar driver, Austin Cindric, takes his #2 Ford up the turn 9 hill as he starts 3rd for Sunday’s race.

2nd place qualifier Tyler Reddick wrung his #45 Monster Energy Toyota out and the dominant car of the weekend.

Pole sitter William Byron puts his Liberty University #24 machine on two wheels during what would be the fastest lap of the day.

To view Part Two of this gallery, click HERE

To view Part Three of this gallery, click HERE

Additional RacerViews NASCAR Coverage:

NASCAR: Reddick triumphs in the Lone Star State

NASCAR: Logano wins in Atlanta, breaks Bow-tie dominance