The NASCAR Cup Series Playoff’s accelerated to Charlotte, North Carolina for the final road course race of the 2023 season. The 2.32-mile Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course stretches over 17 corners.
The Bank of America Roval 400 sets the field for the Round of 8, as four playoff drivers are set to be eliminated after the conclusion. Tyler Reddick led the field to green for 109 scheduled laps of pure adrenaline.
Bank of America ROVAL 400 – Recap:
Stage 1
Polesitter Tyler Reddick took full command of the race shortly after the drop of the green flag. Christopher Bell tagged along within striking range as the competitors lurked in their tire tracks.
A final green flag pit stop shook the field as many drivers opted for pit attention. Race leader Tyler Reddick passed on Pit Lane attention to hold fast on his position up front. Second place contender Christopher Bell forfeited his 2nd place ranking for necessary Pit Service.
Tyler Reddick Drove Away with Stage 1 Victory at the Roval!
Bank of America ROVAL 400 – Results:
Stage 1
1. Tyler Reddick
2. Bubba Wallace
3. Ross Chastain
4. Martin Truex Jr;
5. Christopher Bell
6. Daniel Suarez
7. Chase Elliott
8. Kyle Busch
9. Ty Gibbs
10. AJ Allmendinger
Bank of America ROVAL 400 – Recap:
Stage 2
Stage 2 opened the door for those, including Stage 1 winner Tyler Reddick, to obtain essential pit service. Christopher Bell was shuffled to the front leading a line of impatient contestants for the same real-estate.
Chase Elliott decision to pit out of sequence, separated his race team from the race leaders. Elliott was recycled to the lead as the pack intensely followed.
A prayer is answered as a yellow flag, compliment of Corey Lajoie and Josh Bilicki, waves after Elliotts’ strategic pit service earlier in Stage 2. With only 2 laps remaining, Elliott held his position on track and the completion of Stage 2 was determined under caution.
Non-Playoff Challenger Chase Elliott rewarded Stage 2 honors at Charolette Motor Speedway!
An impatient pileup between Daniel Suarez and the chrome bumper horn of Christopher Bell set up the field for a showdown with only 16 circuits remaining to determine many Playoff participants fates.
Season Veteran and Non-Playoff racer AJ Allmendinger navigated the field with laps closing in.
An unpredicted fire within the cock pit of Ricky Stenhouse Jr.’s race car broke down the field and granted an opportunity for someone to flash on a final restart.
AJ Allmendinger and Cup Playoff contender Kyle Bush contested for the lead on a final lap.
As Bush uncharacteristically spun his tires, William Byron profited and moved past the Cup Champ on the outside lane.
William Byron set his sights on race leader Allmendinger as the sand in the hourglass runs low.
AJ evaded any advancing danger monitoring William Byron progression in his rear-view mirror.
AJ Almendinger hold on and is triumphant at the Bank of America ROVAL 400.
Ross Chastain, Bubba Wallace, Brad Keselowski, and Kyle Busch eliminated from Playoff Contention after the event points tally.
Charlotte Roval Results October 08, 2023 NASCAR Cup Series
Pos | Driver
1. AJ Allmendinger
2. William Byron
3. Kyle Busch
4. Ty Gibbs
5. Joey Logano
6. Tyler Reddick
7. Chris Buescher
8. Alex Bowman
9. Chase Elliott
10. Ross Chastain
11. Ryan Preece
12. Ryan Blaney
13. Kyle Larson
14. Austin Dillon
15. Christopher Bell
16. Bubba Wallace
17. Corey LaJoie
18. Brad Keselowski
19. Kevin Harvick
20. Martin Truex Jr
21. Aric Almirola
22. Justin Haley
23. Todd Gilliland
24. Harrison Burton
25. Austin Cindric
26. Josh Bilicki
27. Austin Hill
28. Chase Briscoe
29. Mike Rockenfeller
30. Zane Smith
31. Ty Dillon
32. Michael McDowell
33. Daniel Suarez
34. Ricky Stenhouse Jr
35. Andy Lally
36. Erik Jones
37. Denny Hamlin
NASCAR Cup Series- Playoff Grid
After: Bank of America ROVAL 400
Round of 8
Pos | Driver | Point
1. William Byron | 1 Win
2. Ryan Blaney | 1 Win
3. Denny Hamlin | Locked in Pts.
4. Christopher Bell | +27
5. Chris Buescher | +17
6. Tyler Reddick | +16
7. Kyle Larson | +13
8. Martin Truex Jr |+12
— Championship 8 Cutline —
Championship Contenders Eliminated
9. Ross Chastain | -12
10. Bubba Wallace | -1
11. Brad Keselowski | -23
12. Kyle Busch | -30
The Round of 8 begins next weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway for the first of three races to decide the Playoff Championship 4.
South Point 400 scheduled green flag on Sunday (Oct. 15) at 2:30 p.m. ET on NBC / Sirius XM NASCAR 90
