As always, NASCAR at Talladega delivered chaos and calamity, with the largest accident in series history, claiming several playoff drivers as victims. Now NASCAR heads to Charlotte Motor Speedway for a reconfigured version of the ROVAL – the circuit that combines the infield and typical oval to form a road course. The 2024 Bank of America ROVAL 400 represents the conclusion of the second round of the NASCAR Playoffs.
After Ricky Stenhouse Jr. claimed victory at ‘Dega, can non-playoff drivers sweep the second round or will someone in the playoffs punch their ticket to the round of eight with a victory? Let’s dive in!
Playoff Picture Ahead of 2024 Bank of America ROVAL 400
- William Byron +74
- Christopher Bell +57
- Kyle Larson +52
- Denny Hamlin +30
- Alex Bowman +26
- Ryan Blaney +25
- Tyler Reddick +14
- Chase Elliott +13
- Joey Logano -13
- Daniel Suarez -20
- Austin Cindric -29
- Chase Briscoe -32
While chaos did strike several playoff contenders, the current standings represent my expectations for this round of the playoffs with Logano, Suarez, Cindric, and Briscoe all finding themselves below the cutline. Of the four, Suarez is likely the best on road courses but Austin Cindric is a fair hand in his own right. Logano did run well at the Roval last year, notching himself a 5th place finish so don’t count him out either.
Happy Thursday, everyone. 😍☀️#BofAROVAL | #AmericasHomeForRacing pic.twitter.com/Lk52HCtqFf
— Charlotte Motor Speedway (@CLTMotorSpdwy) October 10, 2024
At the top of the standings, William Byron has already locked himself into the round of eight on points. Christopher Bell and Kyle Larson also sit comfortably above the cutline. Disaster could strike for any of the drivers below them in the standings but I still believe the standings as they currently run will be the standings after the race on Sunday concludes.
2024 Bank of America ROVAL 400 Entry List
Representing Kaulig Racing, both Shane Van Gisbergen and AJ Allmendinger will be in the field once more for Sunday’s race in Charlotte. Allmendinger won this race in 2023.
Elsewhere in the field, Kaz Grala jumps behind the wheel of the #15 for Rick Ware Racing while Josh Bilicki pilots the #66.
The Roval has seen some changes in the circuit this year in an attempt to improve the racing. The first part of the lap remains the same but turn five sees drivers continue straight instead of immediately making another right turn. Turn six will be a right-hander followed by the new entry onto the oval in turn seven.
Turn seven features a hairpin turn primed for dive bomb attempts late in the race. Finally, the last chicane of the lap features a sharper exit back onto the front straightaway – another challenge for drivers to navigate.
2024 Bank of America ROVAL 400 Race Odds and Predictions
Remember those two part-time entrants for Kaulig Racing I mentioned above? Both find themselves atop the odds list for Sunday’s race. Shane Van Gisbergen comes in at +350 while AJ Allmendinger comes in at +750.
The first full-time driver on the odds list is Kyle Larson at +850 followed by Tyler Reddick at +1000. I can’t rule out another surprise winner this week but it does feel like if a non-playoff driver claims victory, it won’t be a full-time member of the series.
Left, right. Up, down.
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) October 11, 2024
The @CLTMotorSpdwy Roval tests drivers on every front. #NASCARPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/nURt4ltlnV
However, I’m going to go in a bit of a different direction with my pick for the race on Sunday. Alex Bowman has been fantastic at the road courses in 2024. I think the driver of the #48 finds himself in Victory Lane in spite of his long +2500 odds.
Be sure to check out the schedule below so you don’t miss any on-track action from the weekend.
Saturday 10/12
NASCAR Xfinity Series Qualifying – 10:00 a.m. CT on USA
NASCAR Cup Series Qualifying – 1:00 p.m. CT on USA
Drive for the Cure 250 presented by BCBS (NASCAR Xfinity Series) – 2:30 p.m. CT on the CW
Sunday 10/13
Bank of America ROVAL 400 (NASCAR Cup Series) – 1:00 p.m. CT on NBC
Stay locked into Apollo for more NASCAR and F1 Coverage throughout the racing season! Follow @CoachJayArnold and @ApolloHOU on Twitter to stay up to date on the latest and check out our newly minted Instagram – Apollo NASCAR!
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