Rack’em in Dawsonville

Race leader Chase Elliot brush the fence in turn one , only to bounce back to solidify a 2^nd round Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series playoff spot winning the Bank America Roval 400 at Charlotte. 

Charlotte, N.C., September 29, 2019 – Anthony Holbrook

The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series 3^rd Playoff race  traveled to Charlotte, North Carolina, Saturday,  Sept. 29^th for the Bank of America Roval 400 presented by  Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course. The Roval Road Course consist of both: road course and oval course blends.

Stage 1

William Byron dialed in the No. 24 Hendrick Chevy checking off another 2019 Season Pole Award for the 2^nd Annual Roval.

Pole Sitter William Byron continued punctuated his presence by leading 22 laps of Stage 1. 

With Six laps remaining in the Stage, JYG Daugherty Racing Driver – Ryan Preece – overcorrected his No. 47 Chevy on the backstretch chicane bringing out a late caution.  A multicar collision on the final Stage restart would allowed enough time for Chip Ginassi’s Driver of the No. 42 Chevrolet – Kyle Larson to accelerate pass the No. 24 William Byron Chevy capturing Stage 1 win under caution.

No. 9 Hendrick Chevy – Chase Elliott tagged the safer bearer wall in Turn 1.  The damage was minimal allowing the Dawsonville driver to continue the race.

Bank of America Roval Results – Stage 1:

1. Kyle Larson
2. William Byron
3. Clint Bowyer
4. Joey Logano
5. Ryan Blaney
6. Brad Keselowski
7. Aric Almirola
8. Kevin Harvick
9. Chase Elliott

10.) Daniel Suarez

Bank of America Roval – Stage 2

Stage 2 dominating No. 9 Hendrick Chevy – Chase Elliott opts to pit for service when a late caution was initiated by a dueling feud between No. 88 Alex Bowman and No. 43 Bubba Wallace.

With only 10 circuit of completion of Stage 2, Elliott would relinquishing his lead for service.

Utilizing fresh Goodyears, Chase Elliott was able to drive his way back to the front reclaiming the point and Stage 2 win.

Bank of America Roval – Stage 2 Results

1. Chase Elliott
2. Brad Keselowski
3. Clint Bowyer
4. Jimmie Johnson
5. Kevin Harvick
6. Michael McDowell
7. Martin Truex Jr.
8. Daniel Suarez
9. Paul Menard

10.) William Byron

Bank America Roval 400– Final Stage

No. 9 Hendrick Chevy – Chase Elliott  carrying too much speed in Turn 1, tagged the safer bearer wall with under 45 laps left in the event.  The damage was minimal allowing the Dawsonville driver to contend for the win.

Repair for the No.9 Chevy would place Chase Elliott back in the field in 37^th place. A laser focused Chase Elliott would slice through the field working his way to a final battle with race leader No. 4 Stuart-Haas Ford Driver – Kevin Harvick.

Chase Elliott would overpower the Kevin Harvick Mustang with 5 laps to go capturing the covenant Roval Trophy.

Bank America Roval 400 – Final Results

1. (19) Chase Elliott (P), Chevrolet, 109.
2. (2) Alex Bowman (P), Chevrolet, 109.
3. (6) Kevin Harvick (P), Ford, 109.
4. (5) Clint Bowyer (P), Ford, 109.
5. (11) Brad Keselowski (P), Ford, 109.

6. (1) William Byron (P), Chevrolet, 109.
7. (8) Martin Truex Jr. (P), Toyota, 109.
8. (9) Ryan Blaney (P), Ford, 109.
9. (4) Jimmie Johnson, Chevrolet, 109.
10. (3) Joey Logano (P), Ford, 109.
11. (18) Matt DiBenedetto, Toyota, 109.
12. (22) Michael McDowell, Ford, 109.
13. (7) Kyle Larson (P), Chevrolet, 109.
14. (16) Aric Almirola (P), Ford, 109.
15. (29) Ty Dillon, Chevrolet, 109.
16. (10) Paul Menard, Ford, 109.
17. (21) Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Ford, 109.
18. (12) Chris Buescher, Chevrolet, 109.
19. (28) Denny Hamlin (P), Toyota, 109.
20. (23) Kurt Busch (P), Chevrolet, 109.
21. (14) Ryan Preece #, Chevrolet, 109.
22. (37) Ross Chastain(i), Chevrolet, 109.
23. (30) Austin Dillon, Chevrolet, 109.
24. (25) Bubba Wallace, Chevrolet, 109.
25. (36) Matt Tifft #, Ford, 109.
26. (40) Parker Kligerman(i), Toyota, 109.
27. (26) Corey LaJoie, Ford, 109.
28. (32) Landon Cassill(i), Chevrolet, 109.
29. (31) JJ Yeley(i), Chevrolet, 109.
30. (33) Timmy Hill(i), Toyota, 109.
31. (39) Joe Nemechek(i), Chevrolet, 109.
32. (24) Ryan Newman (P), Ford, 109.
33. (20) Daniel Hemric #, Chevrolet, 109.
34. (13) Daniel Suarez, Ford, 108.
35. (27) David Ragan, Ford, 108.
36. (35) Garrett Smithley(i), Ford, Axle, 100.
37. (17) Kyle Busch (P), Toyota, Suspension, 99.
38. (34) Josh Bilicki(i), Chevrolet, Suspension, 83.
39. (38) Reed Sorenson, Chevrolet, Electrical, 66.
40. (15) Erik Jones (P), Toyota, Accident, 23.

Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series 2019 Playoff Driver leaders

1. Kyle Busch    
2. Martin Truex Jr.
3. Denny Hamlin
4. Joey Logano
5. Kevin Harvick
6. Chase Elliott
7. Brad Keselowski
8. Kyle Larson
9. Alex Bowman
10. Ryan Blaney
11. William Byron
12. Clint Bowyer
13. Aric Almirola
14. Ryan Newman
15. Kurt Busch
16. Erik Jones

Time of Race:

3 Hrs, 20 Mins, 58 Secs.

Average Speed:

75.499 MPH

Margin of Victory:

 3.024 Seconds

Caution Flags:

10 for 23 laps; Laps: 21-22 (#47 Spin Turn 11 [51]); 24-27 (#48, 88, 20, 11, 1, 37 Incident Turn 1 / Stage 1 Conclusion [66]); 43-44 (#88, 43 Incident Turn 12 [42]); 52-54 (Stage 2 Conclusion [32]); 63-64 (#8 Spin Turn 13 [27]); 66-66 (#9 Incident Turn 1 [15]); 90-91 (#17 Spin Turn 11 [36]); 94-94 (#11, 6, 47, 21 Incident Turn 6 [15]); 97-98 (#41 Stopped On Track [66]); 100-103 (#1, 37, 6, 47 Incident Turn 8 [Red Flag: 8:22] [27]).

Lead Changes:

13 among 9 drivers; W. Byron (P) 1-21; K. Larson (P) 22-26; J. Logano (P) 27-30; C. Elliott (P) 31-42; M. Truex Jr. (P) 43; C. Bowyer (P) 44-45; B. Keselowski (P) 46-48; C. Elliott (P) 49-64; K. Harvick (P) 65-75; W. Byron (P) 76-77; C. Elliott (P) 78; D. Hemric # 79-80; K. Harvick (P) 81-103; C. Elliott (P) 104-109.

The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Race #4 and Second Round of the 2019 Playoff Schedule shifts to Dover, Delaware for the DRYDENE 400 hosted by Dover International Speedway,  Sunday October 6^th 2019   2:30  PM ET   NBCSN MRN