The COTA Pro finale will decide the 2026 Porsche Carrera Cup North America Mobil Pro championship, with Tyler Maxson leading Aaron Jeansonne by 27 points. IMSA’s October 22 preview confirms they are the only remaining title contenders for the October 23–25 weekend at Circuit of The Americas in Austin.
With 56 points available across two races, the championship remains open. However, Sunday’s race time differs between official schedules, so fans should check the organizer’s latest information before planning their day.
Who is leading the Porsche Carrera Cup North America Pro standings in 2026?
Tyler Maxson leads for TOPP Racing, while Aaron Jeansonne arrives as the challenger for Kellymoss. According to IMSA’s October 22 championship preview, no other Pro driver can take the title.
The Porsche Carrera Cup North America standings therefore reduce to a two-driver contest. Maxson brings eight victories; Jeansonne counters with one victory and 12 podium finishes.
| Pre-finale measure | Tyler Maxson | Aaron Jeansonne |
|---|---|---|
| Team | TOPP Racing | Kellymoss |
| Championship position | Leader | 27 points behind |
| Season wins | 8 | 1 |
| Season podiums | Not specified here | 12 |
| Still eligible for Pro title | Yes | Yes |
That contrast defines Tyler Maxson vs Aaron Jeansonne: more victories against a season of frequent podium finishes. Yet neither record settles what happens over the final two races.
How many points are available in the COTA finale?
A maximum of 56 points remains available to each driver. The official Porsche Carrera Cup finale preview lists 28 points per race: 25 for victory, one for pole position and two for fastest lap.
Consequently, Jeansonne needs to outscore Maxson by more than 27 points across the weekend to finish ahead outright. Gaining exactly 27 would leave them level on points and bring championship tie-break rules into play.
For illustration, taking all 56 available points would put Jeansonne ahead outright if Maxson scored 28 or fewer. That is arithmetic, not a prediction or a complete list of title scenarios.
For Maxson, the lead provides a buffer rather than a guarantee. Meanwhile, Jeansonne has reason to pursue the qualifying and fastest-lap bonuses alongside race results: together, those bonuses account for six available points.
When is the 2026 Porsche Carrera Cup North America finale at COTA?
The finale takes place on October 23–25, 2026, during the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix weekend. Both Carrera Cup races fall within that event, but their timetable is separate from the Grand Prix sessions.
For the wider weekend, our Austin F1 schedule guide covers the United States Grand Prix programme. Do not substitute an F1 session time for a Carrera Cup start.
Carrera Cup COTA schedule 2026
The following listings reflect the supplied official previews as of October 22. All times are local to Austin: Central Daylight Time, or UTC−5.
| Session | Date | Listed local time | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Qualifying | Saturday, October 24 | 9:10–9:40 a.m. | Listed in the official preview |
| Race 1 | Saturday, October 24 | 2:35–3:15 p.m. | Listed in the official preview |
| Race 2 | Sunday, October 25 | 10:35–11:15 a.m. | IMSA, series preview and F1 timetable |
| Race 2 | Sunday, October 25 | 11:50 a.m.–12:30 p.m. | Conflicting COTA listing |
Sunday’s start time is not settled across the published sources. The difference between the two listed starts is 75 minutes, enough to change an arrival or viewing plan.
Before travelling, check the COTA official event schedule and seek organizer confirmation if the conflict remains. This report does not establish separate Carrera Cup ticket access or admission conditions.
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How can I watch Porsche Carrera Cup North America at COTA?
IMSA says the races will stream live on the Porsche Motorsport North America YouTube channel. They will also remain available afterward, giving fans a replay option if they miss the live start.
However, a streaming plan still depends on the correct session time. Check the channel’s scheduled broadcast alongside the latest organizer timetable, especially for Sunday’s race.
For title tracking, keep three figures in view: the starting 27-point gap, each driver’s race points and the bonus points. A finishing position alone does not capture the full championship calculation.
Where TripRank fits for drivers
TripRank is an iOS driving and performance telemetry companion, rather than a race broadcast service. It records drives with GPS route capture and provides a per-trip Smoothness Score; Pro unlocks aggregate stats charts and Apple Watch heart-rate analytics.
If the weekend prompts a circuit outing, start with our first track-day checklist. Keep performance testing on closed circuits or authorized private venues, never public roads.
What car do Maxson and Jeansonne drive?
Both compete in Porsche 911 Cup cars in the Mobil Pro class. The official preview lists a 25-car field across three classes: 13 Pro, four Pro-Am and eight Masters.
Accordingly, the overall entry count is not the number of drivers contesting this particular title. Maxson and Jeansonne remain the only mathematically eligible Pro championship contenders.
The supplied preview does not provide the technical specifications needed for a detailed car comparison. Therefore, engine output, acceleration figures and setup claims are not part of this report.
For another championship story, our Gold Coast 500 2026 race weekend coverage explains the official live updates and Mostert’s Saturday victory.
Frequently asked questions
How many points separate Tyler Maxson and Aaron Jeansonne before COTA?
Maxson leads Jeansonne by 27 points before the 2026 COTA finale. They are the only drivers still mathematically eligible for the Mobil Pro title.
How many points are available in the COTA finale?
A maximum of 56 points is available across two races. Each race offers 25 points for victory, one for pole position and two for fastest lap.
What time are the Carrera Cup races at COTA?
Saturday’s Race 1 is listed for 2:35–3:15 p.m. CDT. Sunday’s listings conflict: IMSA and the series preview show 10:35–11:15 a.m., while COTA shows 11:50 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Confirm Sunday’s time with the organizer.
How can I watch Porsche Carrera Cup North America at COTA?
IMSA says the races stream live on the Porsche Motorsport North America YouTube channel and remain available afterward.
Bottom line
Maxson enters Austin with the lead and eight wins, but Jeansonne still has a mathematical route to the title. Watch the bonus points as well as the race results, and verify Sunday’s start before making plans. For recording your own drives, explore TripRank’s GPS driving companion for iOS.
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