Nathan Gouker earned pole position during MotoAmerica Talent Cup qualifying Friday afternoon at Circuit Of The Americas, in Texas. Riding his Quarterley Racing Kramer APX-350 MA on Dunlop control tires, Gouker covered the 3.43-mile (5.51 km) road course in 2:27.429, topping the field of 14 riders.
Kensei Matsudaira was the best of the rest with a 2:27.664 on his Team Roberts Kramer APX-350 MA.
Sam Drane was third with a lap time of 2:27.880 on his Yamaha BLU CRU Estenson Racing Kramer APX-350 MA.
More from a press release issued by Phillip Gouker:
Nathan Gouker Claims Pole Position at COTA During Premier MotoAmerica / MotoGP Weekend.
AUSTIN, TX — March 27, 2026 — Nathan delivered a standout performance at Circuit of the Americas (COTA) today, securing pole position during qualifying in one of the most competitive race weekends of the season, sharing the stage alongside MotoGP.
Facing a deep and talented field on the world-class Texas circuit, Nathan executed a near-perfect lap to claim the top starting spot. His performance highlighted both his growing confidence and the strength of the team as they compete on one of the biggest platforms in road racing.
“Getting pole at COTA is huge,” said Nathan. “This track is one of the toughest we race, and to do it on a weekend like this, with MotoGP here, makes it even more meaningful. The Quarterley Racing Team has worked incredibly hard this weekend giving me a competitive bike, and the bike felt amazing out there.”
Circuit of the Americas is widely regarded as one of North America’s most technical tracks, featuring dramatic elevation changes, a mix of high-speed sections, and tight, demanding corners. Nathan’s qualifying lap demonstrated exceptional pace and control, positioning him as a strong contender heading into race day tomorrow.
With pole-position secured, Nathan and the team now shift focus to race day, aiming to convert strong qualifying pace into a podium result at COTA.
