Circuit of the Americas (COTA) opened in 2012 as a 3.426-mile road course, primarily hosting Formula One and MotoGP. While fans advocated for a NASCAR date at the facility, existing sanctioning contracts protected other venues. Texas Motor Speedway (TMS), located three hours away in Fort Worth, was a primary opponent of a COTA race. TMS president Eddie Gossage maintained an agreement that prevented NASCAR from adding regional races and frequently clashed with COTA and Formula One over scheduling conflicts in 2014 and 2018.
Despite these obstacles, COTA president Bobby Epstein confirmed contact with NASCAR officials in 2017. Before the race was officially added to the calendar, several NASCAR demonstrations took place at the circuit. In 2013, Kurt Busch drove a Holden Racing Team Supercar in a seat swap with James Courtney. In 2019, Tony Stewart drove a Stewart–Haas Racing Ford Mustang at the track, comparing the technical layout to Watkins Glen International and identifying at least five passing zones for stock cars.
On September 30, 2020, NASCAR officially included COTA on the 2021 Cup Series schedule. The event replaced the spring points race at Texas Motor Speedway, which was converted into the NASCAR All-Star Race. Speedway Motorsports assumed organizational duties for the weekend, appointing Bryan Hammond as the race executive director.
The inaugural EchoPark Texas Grand Prix in 2021 was defined by severe weather conditions. Heavy rain forced officials to shorten the race to 54 laps. Chase Elliott was declared the winner, a result that marked the 800th NASCAR victory for Chevrolet and the 268th win for Hendrick Motorsports, tying the all-time record held by Petty Enterprises.
The 2022 and 2023 editions of the race were characterized by late-race competition that required NASCAR Overtime finishes, extending the events beyond their scheduled distance.
The race was initially contested on the full 3.426-mile (5.514 km) Grand Prix circuit. To prepare the facility for stock cars, officials installed tire barriers, extended the pit wall, added caution lights, and placed specific curbs and rumble strips. On November 20, 2024, NASCAR announced a significant change to the event format, stating that starting in 2025, the Cup Series would move to the shortened 2.400-mile (3.862 km) track layout.
The Texas Grand Prix weekend serves as a multi-series event. The NASCAR Xfinity Series competes in the Focused Health 250, and the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series also holds a race as part of the weekend schedule. The Truck Series event has previously been designated as part of the Triple Truck Challenge. Additionally, the International Motor Sports Association's Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America sports car series has appeared as a support category during the event weekend.
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