Circuit of the Americas — Attraction in Austin

1 star, just because they really don't care about disabled people. It's a beautiful track, don't get me wrong. I loved my time there. But my best friend is disabled. Our tickets were in turn 15. We didn't know there was handicap parking on that turn. We parked at the main grandstand, because the signs from the highway said that was the disabled parking spots. We took the tram over to our seats, which was lovely. However, at the end of the race, we stood (well, she sat in her wheelchair) there for 20 minutes, and the trams weren't running. I promise I'm not going hyperbole here, the line was almost a ¼ mile long where we joined, literally right at the end of the race after I pushed her there. We stood there 20 minutes, and no tram. So I pushed her back to the car, lot A, from turn 15. We had to go around the whole track. The sidewalks aren't even concrete. They're pea rock. Impossible to push a wheelchair through. We had to walk on the road, me pushing her. We didn't even see the first tram getting to our parking lot, until 5 minutes before we got to the car. It took us 45 minutes-1 hr. I'm actually disabled myself. 100% disabled veteran. 3 knee surgeries, (I even have my own handicap placard), requiring another surgery soon, and even possibly a fake knee. I'm only 37. That's why I couldn't stand there that long. That's not to even begin about when I got her up on the disabled stand, and I went to go buy her food after settling in, when I was coming back, and turned towards the handicap ramp at the stands, the usher stopped me, and seriously said "that's the handicap ramp." I said, "I know", and he said "you don't look disabled" and actually started tearing me a new one until a different usher stepped in and said she saw me pushing my best friend up. I then told him, my friend on the roof who I'm here with would say otherwise. He felt bad, and I feel no ill will towards him, John and Glen were actually very helpful, but I don't recommend coming here if you're disabled. Especially if you're disabled helping a more disabled friend. I've been hurting all day, today. Just from pushing that whole way. I'm not even mad. I'm disappointed. I'll admit I was mad yesterday, but NASCAR fans used to be better than this. We used to help each other out. Especially when you see someone huffing and puffing pushing a wheelchair. Idk if it's just Austin that doesn't care (I live in Kingsville), or just NASCAR in general. I'm disappointed. This was my first race in 15 years. It was a lot better off 15 years ago for me before OEF, OIF, and OND took it's physical toll on my body. I still can't believe they don't even have proper sidewalks to push a wheelchair on. Or at least readily accessible transportation. Or even saying there's handicap parking at your seat. Again, I'm not mad. Disappointed. I'm also not trying to get anything from them. Just do better in the future. I hate to use the word "ableist", but here I am.

Update: it's now Tuesday, and I could barely go to work. My knees are absolutely on fire. I went, but couldn't do anything. I also apparently messed up my right ankle pushing her. My only remaining good leg joint. I broke my left ankle on my first deployment. I seriously almost never complain unless it's egregious. Look at my other reviews. It's rare. I'm hurting. Bad. And my best friend told me today she feels bad because I'm hurting now because of her. That's unconscionable. It's not her fault. It's not mine. I should've looked out...

March 2025

Recommend experiencing NASCAR at COTA where it is a great race to bring the family to. The race cars are loud and can feel the rumble as they pass by on the track. There were was new activities like a kid zone and pig races. The food and drink options are great too. The calendar date is also perfect since the weather is usually nice especially this year. The place was cashless and all the staff I interacted with was super nice and friendly.

There were some problems where some was due to the construction of COTA Land with new amusement park rides where the walking path from the Main Grandstands and Grand Plaza was closed and had to ride shuttles and not enough of them. This caused a serious problem with fans trying to get to walk back to their parking lot after the race. Luckily it is temporary. The other is ongoing where the video screens at the Main Grandstands need to be replaced with brighter and sharper ones.

October 2024

Attended 2024 USGP F1 and was basically the same experience from last year. The traffic management was worse but on Sunday arrived from the back router to access Lot L with no issues. The pricing seemed to be a bit higher but they had a nice assortment of food options. The big surprise was LEGO was a new sponsor and allowed fans to build their own F1 car and keep it. There was also a bit more fan experiences too. I saw Sting perform on Friday night. Overall it's a big place and will do a lot of walking so have to be patient with crowds and accept it as it is and you will have a good time.

March 2024

If you want to avoid crazy crowds or pricey admission to see a big time auto race then NASCAR at COTA is for you. Speedway Motorsports does a great job in bringing this NASCAR event to COTA. Unlike USGP F1 most of the action for fans to hang out is at the Grand Plaza and Main Grandstand. I noticed a new large mural near the Main Grandstand. The food was decent where some vendors are better than others and plenty of drink options. For this race, food in the Grandstand Club was replaced by self checkouts with only a selection of drinks and popcorn.

I saw no one complaining except one guy who could not bring in an ice chest full of drinks, where everyone around me was having a great time.

December 2023

Peppermint Parkway was much more grander this year where there was more lights and decorations. I purchased a Fast Pass but with all the people here still had to wait in a very long line. Luckily there was a port-o-potty after I scanned my ticket. I also noticed parents followed me too with their kids in tow. When you check in you can buy drinks and popcorn. Like always the Grinch greeted you as you entered the Parkway. You can also purchase a little extra to slowly ride the track. It was fun to experience.

Afterwards I had to park at Lot E and walk to Peppermint Plaza. When you buy a Parkway pass you also get access to the Plaza. There was also more stuff to see too along with more food and drink options. All the rides were in operation. There was also more corporate sponsors where Coca-Cola had taste testing and decorate your own ornament. A few things are not present this year like a stage where dancer/singers perform, indoor bar, and an ice rink. It was pretty cold and many were drinking hot cocoa from the large souvenir cup.

We had a great time and great place to bring...

The Drivers' and Constructors' Championships for the 2023 Formula 1 season are already decided, but being one of the lucky few permitted to walk down pit lane at Circuit of the Americas (COTA) in Austin, Texas before the Lenovo U.S. Grand Prix still delivers unimaginable thrills to the motorsports fan.

On the Thursday immediately prior to race weekend every year, COTA allows invited fans to walk down pit lane and interact with their favorite drivers and teams.

I received the following email explaining the particulars of the special event - the most important details being the free parking in lot A from 3pm onward and the actual track walk itself from 4-5pm.

Only the luckiest fans get to experience what it is like to be on track level.

Formula 1 first came to Austin in 2012, and before the inaugural race, I ran on the 3.4 mile track in the Formula Run. Only by being out on the track do you realize the steepness of the incline towards Turn One.

I have also been on the track more recently after the checkered flag on Sunday to watch the trophy presentation for the “fan invasion.”

However, I have never been part of this Thursday special activity.

Upon arrival at 3.15pm, we headed from the Main Grandstand towards Turn One and found a lengthy line at the tunnel approaching the track entrance.

While many of the F&B vendors had not yet opened for the weekend, merchandise stores and the zip line were open for business.

Fans had come from all over the map - we were sandwiched between two couples who had traveled from Florida for the race and also saw fans from Mexico and The United Kingdom.

At exactly 4pm, the queue began to move.

One enters pit lane by the Paddock Club, where luxury cars flanked the entrance to the F1 team garages.

In the past I had visited the Paddock complex, and I even watched Tony Parker of the San Antonio Spurs play a pickup match with F1 drivers back in the day.

The ten team garages in pit lane are in order of their standings in last year’s Constructors’ championship, meaning that last year’s champion Red Bull Racing was at the far end of the paddock.

Thursdays of Austin F1 race weekend are all about pit stop practice and preparations for Friday’s qualifying, and team pit crews were assembled at each garage.

We started at the Williams Racing garage and moved past AlphaTauri and Aston Martin.

TV cameras filmed actress and talk show host Drew Barrymore (under Team Principal Christian Horner’s supervision) changing the front right tires in the Red Bull Racing Area much to the assembled crowd’s delight.

At Ferrari, Charles Leclerc stepped out to wave to fans as his #16 car was used for practice.

Here is my popular TikTok with the pit stop practices from Ferrari, Haas and Red Bull.

Over at the Alpha Romeo garage, Chinese driver Zhou Guanyu greeted fans by signing autographs and taking selfies with fans.

I would estimate approximately 500-1,000 people attended the Thursday Pit Lane Walk this year, and I highly recommend checking it out if you are a racing fan.

If you are a F1 fan like me, read my review of the 2023 Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix, available on the Social Musings by Austin website here or Google...