The NASCAR drivers and teams will race to advance for the first time ever on a road course. To add to the pressure it is the first time ever on the Charlotte ROVAL course in the Bank of America ROVAL 400.
This weekend’s Elimination Race will be the first time the Monster Energy NASCAR Sprint Cup series drivers and teams face the ROVAL course at Charlotte. It is a course that is part road course and part oval … thus the term “ROVAL.”
To say this course and race will be challenging would likely be the understatement of the year in NASCAR. Teams had the chance to test on the new course and there were plenty of mishaps and crashes during the testing. Below is a video that takes you on a lap around the Charlotte ROVAL course.
Since this is the first ever NASCAR Cup Series race on the ROVAL, there is very little data that can be used by teams and drivers or shared with you. Here is the known data for the new ROVAL course at Charlotte and this weekend’s race on it.
Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course Data
Track Size: 2.28-miles
Track Type: Road Course
Number of Turns: 17
Elevation Change: 35 degrees
Bank of America ROVAL 400 Data
Season Race #: 29 of 36 (09-30-18)
Race Length: 109 laps / 400 kilometers
Stage 1 and 2 Length: 25 laps (each)
Final Stage Length: 59 laps
There are 13 playoff drivers that face possible elimination this weekend in the third and final race of the Round of 16. Brad Keselowski and Kyle Busch each won a race in this round and have locked their spot in the next round of the post-season. Martin Truex Jr. has accumulated enough points in this round that he has clinched his advance to the next round as well.
The remaining drivers on the Playoff Lead Board could be eliminated depending on how they and others perform in the race. The elimination possibility is less likely for some drivers than others, but they all have the risk. If any of the 13 drivers not locked in the next round wins the race (including the lowest on the leader board), that driver would obviously earn the automatic advance to the Round of 12.
With literally no historic data for this weekend’s race the only thing we know for sure is that this playoffs elimination race is a complete unknown for everybody; teams, drivers and fans. That could equate to the most drama-filled race of not just this season, but all-time in NASCAR history.
I know I will be watching to see what unfolds in the Bank of America ROVAL 400 Sunday, September 30th starting at 1:00 PM central time (2:00 PM eastern time) live from the Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL course!
By: Buck Stevens
