Drivers to watch, drivers with questions to answer in NASCAR Roval 400 at Charlotte
The NASCAR Roval 400 promises to eliminate four drivers from playoff contention and there will likely be some heartbreak. While drivers above the cutline have a small cushion, it might not be enough if their fortunes go awry.
This weekend will determine the Round of 8. In the NASCAR Playoffs, anything can happen. At the Roval, even more so. This is the “wild card” round. Texas and Talladega are out of the way. Now, drivers have to survive the banks of the oval and the twists and turns of the road course.
A few drivers have nothing to worry about. Ryan Blaney and William Byron are both locked into the Round of 8 after winning races this round.
There are four drivers entering the race under the cutline. Kyle Busch, Ross Chastain, Bubba Wallace, and Tyler Reddick. Will they be able to overcome their points deficits to move on?
Drivers to watch at NASCAR Roval 400
Kyle Larson
A former winner at the Roval, Kyle Larson needs to avoid his checkers or wreckers past and just have a good weekend. He’s 15 points above the cutline and is a great road course racer. Last year, he wrecked himself out of playoff contention. He can’t repeat the same mistakes. I have Larson as one to watch for his potential to win, or
Tyler Reddick
While Reddick is two points below the cutline, he has a top-10 and a top-5 finish in the last two races at the Roval. In his three races, he’s never finished worse than P12. Reddick won at COTA and is strong on the road. I think he not only advances but also competes for a win as he makes a case for being the NASCAR champion. Best paint scheme of the week, too.
Chase Elliott
The odds-on favorite, Elliott is working to earn Hendrick Motorsports the Owner’s Championship and all of that sweet bonus money that comes with it. Chase Elliott has been solid in the playoffs but hasn’t shown winning speed. Let’s see if that changes in qualifying. Keep an eye on Elliott this Sunday.
Drivers with questions to answer at the Roval
Kyle Busch
Here’s the thing, Kyle Busch is a 16-1 favorite to win. However, he’s never won at this track. He has been strong. Rowdy knows how to road course race with the best of them. Busch is 26 points below the cutline, and he could use a top-5 finish or a win in this race to advance to the Round of 8. Can he step up at the NASCAR Roval? Can his team give him a car capable of competing?
Bubba Wallace
This one is a little obvious. Wallace has to prove he can race on road courses. Until he becomes a regular in the top-15, that’s just what it is. While it doesn’t look great for the 23 team to advance, Wallace did get a top-10 here a year ago. The NASCAR Roval is arguably his best road course track. Bubba feels he’s a top-10 driver or better, can he back that up and get his way to the next round?
Brad Keselowski
Just two points above the cutline, Keselowski is in a tight spot. He has the worst average finish on road courses out of the playoff contenders. That has him in a position where he could be eliminated. Finish 16th overall and things are going to come down to just a few points. No wins this season, can Keselowski will his way to the Round of 8 at the NASCAR Roval?