The NASCAR Xfinity Series is heading to the Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course this weekend for the Drive for Cure 250 presented by BlueCross BlueShield of North Carolina. This is the final race of the Round of 12 in the playoffs, and it will determine which eight drivers will advance to the next round. The race will take place on Saturday, October 7, at 3 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on NBC and PRN.
What is the Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course?
The Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course, also known as the Roval, is a 2.28-mile, 17-turn circuit that combines parts of the oval track and an infield road course. The Roval was introduced in 2018 as a new challenge for the drivers and a unique addition to the playoff schedule. The Roval features several elevation changes, tight corners, and tricky chicanes that test the drivers’ skills and patience. The race distance is 67 laps, or 152.88 miles.
Who are the drivers to watch?
There are 42 drivers entered for the Drive for Cure 250, but only 12 of them are still in contention for the championship. Here are some of the drivers to watch in this race:
- Justin Allgaier: The defending series champion is already locked into the Round of 8 with his win at Bristol. He has two top-five finishes at the Roval, including a runner-up finish last year. He is also one of the most experienced road racers in the field, with four career wins on road courses.
- John Hunter Nemechek: The regular-season champion secured his spot in the next round with his win at Texas. He has one top-10 finish at the Roval in two starts. He is also one of the most consistent drivers in the series, with 23 top-10 finishes in 28 races this season.
- Cole Custer: The 2021 series champion clinched his berth in the Round of 8 on points after finishing fourth at Texas. He has two top-five finishes at the Roval, including a third-place finish last year. He is also one of the fastest drivers in the series, with six poles and seven wins this season.
- Austin Hill: The points leader among the playoff drivers has a comfortable cushion of 44 points above the cut line. He has one top-10 finish at the Roval in three starts. He is also one of the most versatile drivers in the series, with wins on short tracks, intermediate tracks, and superspeedways this season.
- Chandler Smith: The rookie sensation has a solid buffer of 32 points above the cut line. He has never raced at the Roval before, but he has shown impressive speed and adaptability on road courses this season, with two top-five finishes and one pole.
- Daniel Hemric: The bubble driver holds a slim one-point lead over ninth-place Parker Kligerman. He has two top-five finishes at the Roval, both third-place results. He is also one of the most desperate drivers in the series, as he is still looking for his first career win after 113 starts.
- Parker Kligerman: The underdog driver trails Hemric by one point for the final spot in the Round of 8. He has never raced at the Roval in an Xfinity Series car, but he has three top-10 finishes on road courses this season, including a second-place finish at Texas. He is also one of the most determined drivers in the series, as he drives for a small team that operates on a limited budget.
What are the predictions for the race?
The Drive for Cure 250 is a wild card race that can shake up the playoff standings and produce unexpected results. Here are some predictions for how the race will unfold:
- Pole winner: Cole Custer
- Stage 1 winner: John Hunter Nemechek
- Stage 2 winner: Justin Allgaier
- Race winner: Daniel Hemric
- Drivers advancing to Round of 8: Justin Allgaier, John Hunter Nemechek, Cole Custer, Austin Hill, Chandler Smith, Daniel Hemric, Jeb Burton, Josh Berry
How to watch or listen to the race?
The Drive for Cure 250 will be broadcast live on NBC and PRN on Saturday, October 7, at 3 p.m. ET. You can also stream the race online on NBC Sports or Peacock, or listen to it on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. You can also follow the live updates and results on NASCAR.com.
Race details
| Race name | Drive for Cure 250 presented by BlueCross BlueShield of North Carolina |
|---|---|
| Series | NASCAR Xfinity Series |
| Date | Saturday, October 7, 2023 |
| Time | 3 p.m. ET |
| Location | Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course, Concord, North Carolina |
| Distance | 67 laps, 152.88 miles |
| TV | NBC |
| Radio | PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio |
| Online | NBC Sports, Peacock |
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