Written by Gabriel Tsui & Bailey Defoor
The Cup and Xfinity Series’ head into an elimination race, as they travel to the Charlotte Roval for the final race of the Round of 12.
In some capacity, Charlotte has been on the calendar since the sport’s first season in 1949, but the Roval never saw action until 2018. Since then, it’s maintained its spot as an elimination race – usually for the Rounds of 16 or 12.
The Roval features 17 turns – four of which utilise the regular oval layout. However, Turn 7 has seen a reprofiling: instead of the double-apex corner it used from 2018 to 2023, the corner is now a singular-apex, tight hairpin. Additionally, the Turns 16 and 17 chicane has been made into a sharper sequence.
Below are the start times for each race plus lap count:
Xfinity: Saturday, 12 October, 16:00 local (21:00 UK) – 67 laps
Cup: Sunday, 13 October, 14:00 local (19:00 UK) – 109 laps
Cup Series: Bank of America Roval 400 Preview
Written by Gabriel Tsui
Following a Talladega 500 full of highs and lows, featuring a huge crash that involved 28 cars at the end of the race, we head to Roval to conclude the final race of the round of 12. This also means that Charlotte will be the final chance for the likes of Suarez, Cindric, and Briscoe to dig their way out of the bottom. Is it too late for these guys, or will they be able to create magic and keep their championship hopes alive?
The drivers start their lap around the track with a short run down the main straight to a left hander, leading into another wide and long left turn, then lifting into turns three and four, carrying speed while light on the throttle.
Then comes a straight down to turn five, lifting into the turn, slowing down and being careful not to spin out on the long right turn six. Then going full throttle exiting turn six, but then immediately coasting through turn seven, then full throttle down to turn eight, and into the oval.
Going down the back straight, the drivers will meet a bus stop chicane, before rounding the other turn of the oval, ending the lap with a left-right-left chicane, zooming back to the start/finish line to complete the lap.
The weather report indicates there will be no rain for the weekend, with temperature ranging from 21-26 degrees Celsius (68-77 degrees Fahrenheit) throughout the race. The race will commence on Sunday of 13 October, at 14:00 ET (11:00 PT, 20:00 CET).
Race Prediction
Ever since NASCAR adapted the roval into the calendar, the Chevrolet has long dominated this track. Out of six races, the Chevys have won four of those, while Toyota and Ford split the other two. Statistically speaking, picking one of the Chevrolets to win the race would be a safe bet.
And to be completely honest, Chevrolets are my pick to win this race, specifically Chase Elliott of Hendrick Motorsports, in the No. 9 car. Chevrolet has won every single road course race with the sole exception of Watkins Glen, while Elliott has won twice at this track in the past.
There are simply too many factors working in favour of the Chevrolets, for this race to not be won by the Chevrolets.
Three storylines to look out for:
A Ford disaster
Oh Ford, oh Ford, who saw this coming? Pretty much everyone.
Fords never fail to lose all of their playoff drivers before the round of eight begins, and this season is no different. After losing Harrison Burton and Brad Keselowski in the first round, they are on the verge to lose Joey Logano, Austin Cindric, and Chase Briscoe to the Round of 12. These drivers didn’t necessarily make a name for themselves on road courses, so their chances at making past this point are pretty slim.
Hendrick domination incoming?
With unbelievable luck for the first two races, alongside a treasure chest of playoff points, Hendrick Motorsport are very close to sending all four of their drivers into the round of eight. While William Byron and Kyle Larson are effectively through to the next round, Alex Bowman and Chase Elliott are 26 and 13 points above the cutline. If Bowman and Elliott can advance to the next round, this will mark the first time where all four Hendricks drivers make the round of eight.
Ground to make up for Reddick
Reddick has been prone to unlucky situations in the past, and these situations in part or in full lead to his demise on his path towards the championship. Though he is 14 points away from the cut line, don’t expect Joey Logano, the 2022 Cup Series champion to tap out so early. Reddick and his team must avoid stupid mistakes and dumb crashes that will make them lose points, and possibly an entry to the next round.
Xfinity Series: Drive for the Cure 250 Preview
Written by Bailey Defoor
Prepare for a crazy weekend because there’s a new format, and it’s the final race of the Round of 12. Four drivers will be dropped after this weekend, and Parker Kligerman, Shane van Gisbergen, Justin Allgaier, and AJ Allmendinger need to fight to keep their playoff chances alive.
Last weekend secured Sammy Smith into the Round of 8, Chandler Smith sits safely above the cut, and drivers like Austin Hill, Cole Custer, and Sheldon Creed need solid results to make it through. Jesse Love, Riley Herbst, and Sam Mayer need to make up some points to secure their place in the Round of 8.
Race Predictions
It’s always hard to tell who will cross the finish line first, but it seems like Van Gisbergen and Allmendinger are the favourites to win this weekend. Both are suited for this track layout, and they both need to fight for their playoff spots. Based on how well his race went earlier this year, my pick is Allmendinger.
Two storylines to look out for:
The comeback story
Mayer was disqualified last weekend at Talladega and sits below the cutoff for playoffs. His disqualification stripped him of all stage points he would have gotten at Talladega, and he’s fallen 13 below the cut. Mayer needs to make up some serious points to move to the next round. He won at Charlotte last year, so he needs to recover this weekend. He’s comfortable with this track; he’s shown that he has what it takes to run at the front, but can he come back from last weekend?
Commentary changes?
NASCAR Xfinity has partnered with a new broadcaster, The CW, and it is possible that on-track broadcasting will be a thing of the past! What started as a cost-effective measure has faced backlash from fans, taking to X to share their opinions about how this will lack authenticity and not feel genuine.
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