NASCAR at COTA Announces First Responder Appreciation Weekend for DuraMAX Grand Prix
NASCAR at Circuit of The Americas (COTA) will recognize police, fire, and emergency medical professionals across Central Texas during its upcoming DuraMAX Grand Prix race weekend, scheduled for February 27–March 1 in Austin.
According to NASCAR at COTA, the First Responder Appreciation Weekend is designed to acknowledge the role first responders play both in the community and in supporting race operations, while also highlighting public safety career opportunities.
The initiative was announced at Austin Fire Station #53 / EMS #42 with NASCAR Cup Series driver Chase Briscoe and local police, fire, and EMS representatives. During the event, Briscoe recognized three Austin-area first responders honored in 2025: Phill Johnson, Austin Firefighter of the Year; Amber Price of Austin-Travis County EMS, National Community Paramedic of the Year; and Austin police officer Tanner Cilento, a recipient of the Star of Texas Award.
NASCAR at COTA officials said the program includes recruitment outreach during race weekend and formal recognition of first responders as part of pre-race activities. Eligible first responders and their families will also be offered complimentary race access as part of the initiative.
Briscoe said first responders are “absolutely essential to everything we do on race weekends,” citing their role in fan safety and on-track incident response.
The First Responder Appreciation Weekend is supported by DuraMAX, recently announced as the entitlement sponsor of the NASCAR Cup Series race at COTA.
“Partnering with NASCAR at COTA to recognize Austin’s fire, police, and EMS teams reflects the values we stand behind as an organization,” said Mike Cooper, chief commercial officer of RelaDyne. “Alongside race fans across the country and around the world, we look forward to honoring and celebrating these community heroes during the DuraMAX Grand Prix on March 1.”
Source: NASCAR at COTA announcement.