The NASCAR Cup Series is heading to the Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course for the sixth race of the 2023 playoffs and the final race of the Round of 12. The Bank of America Roval 400 will be a crucial event for the drivers who are fighting to advance to the next round and avoid elimination. The weather forecast for the weekend could also play a significant role in the outcome of the race, as the road course presents unique challenges and opportunities for the competitors.
Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course
The Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course, also known as the Roval, is a 2.28-mile (3.67 km) circuit that combines parts of the traditional 1.5-mile oval track with an infield road course. The Roval features 17 turns, varying elevations, tight corners, and high-speed sections. The track was introduced in 2018 as a new addition to the NASCAR schedule and has since hosted five Cup Series races.
The Roval is considered one of the most difficult and unpredictable tracks on the NASCAR circuit, as it tests the drivers’ skills, strategies, and adaptability. The track also has several potential trouble spots, such as the backstretch chicane and the frontstretch chicane, where drivers have to slow down and navigate through tight turns while avoiding contact with other cars or the tire barriers. The Roval also has a unique restart procedure, where drivers do not use the chicanes and instead take a shorter route on the oval.
The Roval has produced some memorable moments in its short history, such as Ryan Blaney’s first career win in 2018 after Martin Truex Jr. and Jimmie Johnson collided in the final turn, Chase Elliott’s comeback win in 2019 after crashing into the tire barrier on a restart, and Kyle Larson’s dominant performance in 2020 that clinched his spot in the Round of 8.
Weather Forecast for Bank of America Roval 400
The weather forecast for the weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course is mostly sunny and pleasant, with no significant chances of rain or storms. According to AccuWeather, here are the expected conditions for each day:
- Saturday, October 7, 2023: High 70°F (21°C), Low 59°F (15°C), Decreasing clouds, NNW 10-15 mph (16-24 km/h), G 20 mph (32 km/h), and 2 percent chance of rain.
- Sunday, October 8, 2023: High 67°F (19°C), Low 46°F (8°C), Mostly Sunny, N 5-10 mph (8-16 km/h), and zero percent chance of rain.
The weather forecast suggests that the drivers will not have to deal with any wet or slippery conditions on the track, which could make the race more predictable and less chaotic. However, the weather could still have some implications for the drivers’ performance and strategies, such as:
- Tire wear and grip: The sunny and dry conditions could increase the tire wear and reduce the grip on the track, especially on the oval sections where the speeds are higher. The drivers will have to manage their tires carefully and choose the right compounds for their setups. The tire choices for this race are Goodyear Eagle Speedway Radials for both left and right sides.
- Fuel mileage and pit stops: The sunny and dry conditions could also affect the fuel mileage and pit stops for the drivers, as they will have to balance their speed and fuel consumption on the track. The drivers will have to decide when to pit and how much fuel to take, depending on their position and strategy. The fuel capacity for this race is 18.5 gallons (70 liters).
- Track temperature and air density: The sunny and dry conditions could also change the track temperature and air density throughout the day, which could affect the aerodynamics and engine performance of the cars. The drivers will have to adjust their setups accordingly and communicate with their crews about any changes or issues they encounter on the track.
Playoff Implications for Bank of America Roval 400
The Bank of America Roval 400 is not only a challenging race for the drivers but also a pivotal race for the playoffs, as it will determine which eight drivers will advance to the Round of 8 and which four drivers will be eliminated from contention. The current playoff standings are as follows:
| Points | Points Above Cutline | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | Driver | ||
| 1 | Denny Hamlin | 3146 | +64 |
| 2 | Kyle Larson | 3134 | +52 |
| 3 | Martin Truex Jr. | 3109 | +27 |
| 4 | Joey Logano | 3097 | +15 |
| 5 | Ryan Blaney | 3094 | +12 |
| 6 | Brad Keselowski | 3089 | +7 |
| 7 | Chase Elliott | 3088 | +6 |
| 8 | Kyle Busch | 3082 | 0 |
| 9 | William Byron | 3079 | -3 |
| 10 | Kevin Harvick | 3075 | -7 |
| 11 | Alex Bowman | 3064 | -18 |
| 12 | Ross Chastain | 3045 | -37 |
The drivers who are above the cutline have a better chance of securing their spots in the next round, but they are not guaranteed, as anything can happen on the Roval. The drivers who are below the cutline have a more difficult task ahead of them, as they will have to either win the race or gain enough points to overtake the drivers ahead of them.
The Roval could also favor some drivers more than others, depending on their road course skills and records. Some of the drivers who have shown strong performances on road courses in the past are:
- Chase Elliott: The defending champion and the winner of the last two Roval races, Elliott is arguably the best road course racer in the Cup Series right now. He has seven career wins on road courses, including four in the last two seasons. He is currently seventh in the playoff standings, but he could secure his spot in the next round with another win or a solid finish on the Roval.
- Martin Truex Jr.: The 2017 champion and the runner-up of the last Roval race, Truex is another formidable road course racer in the Cup Series. He has five career wins on road courses, including three in the last four seasons. He is currently third in the playoff standings, but he could improve his position or lock himself in with a win or a strong finish on the Roval.
- Kyle Larson: The regular season champion and the points leader, Larson is one of the most versatile and dominant drivers in the Cup Series this year. He has six wins this season, including one on a road course at Sonoma. He is currently second in the playoff standings, but he could clinch his spot in the next round with a win or a good finish on the Roval.
- AJ Allmendinger: The part-time driver and the surprise winner of the last road course race at Indianapolis, Allmendinger is a former open-wheel and sports car racer who has a lot of experience and success on road courses. He has two career wins on road courses in the Cup Series, both as a part-time driver. He is not eligible for the playoffs, but he could spoil the party for some of the playoff drivers with another win or a top finish on the Roval.
The Bank of America Roval 400 will be an exciting and decisive race for the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs, as it will test the drivers’ skills, strategies, and nerves on one of the most challenging and unpredictable tracks on the circuit. The weather forecast for the weekend will also add another layer of complexity and uncertainty to the race, as it will affect various aspects of the drivers’ performance and decisions. The race will be broadcasted live on NBC, PRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio at 2 pm ET on Sunday, October 8, 2023.
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