The Roval is evidently the term for Charlotte’s road course, a rather new addition to the NASCAR circuit that splits itself between the standard speedway—the oval—and the infield. It’s a wildcard. It provides intrigue. Tomorrow is intriguing. And the pressure is on.
Where It Is:
Charlotte. The Charcoal City (I doubt they call it this but let’s give it a shot). Home of some banks, right? But not the outer ones. Those are further east.
When It Is:
Tomorrow. Assuming you’re reading it the day we’ve scheduled it to post (hope that works out, by the way—busy day, as you may have read). 2:30 PM.
What It Is:
The final race of NASCAR’s Round of 12. Winner (if they’re among the 12) moves on. Four of the losers go home (keep racing but aren’t in the playoffs anymore which sounds a whole lot like purgatory to me let’s ask Ryan Blaney about theology).
How to Watch:
I think it’s on NBC, but as last week proved, this means it could also switch to NBCSN depending on what time the news “needs” to come on.
Standings Coming In:
Denny Hamlin won last week, so he’s already advanced. Kurt Busch won two weeks ago in the Round of 12 opener, so he’s also already advanced.
1. Denny Hamlin (advanced)
2. Kurt Busch (advanced)
3. Kevin Harvick (47 points ahead of Logano)
4. Chase Elliott (23 points ahead of Logano)
5. Brad Keselowski (20 points ahead of Logano)
6. Martin Truex, Jr (11 points ahead of Logano)
7. Alex Bowman (1 point ahead of Logano)
8. Joey Logano (last driver in as things stand)
9. Kyle Busch (21 points back of Logano)
10. Austin Dillon (21 points back of Logano)
11. Clint Bowyer (38 points back of Logano)
12. Aric Almirola (48 points back of Logano)
Who’s Under Pressure:
Everyone behind Harvick. Well, for Bowyer and Almirola and Dillon, the pressure’s probably off. For Kyle Busch it’s still on but that’s because he’s the reigning champion and hasn’t won a race all year.
Who’s the Favorite:
Chase Elliott’s the sizable favorite, having won here last year and come in sixth two years ago. I’m seeing him at 5-to-2 as I write this. Harvick and Truex are next, at 7-to-1, followed by Hamlin at 15-2. Other playoff drivers: Bowyer (14-to-1). Kyle Busch (14-to-1). Keselowski (14-to-1). Logano (14-to-1). Bowman (16-to-1). Kurt Busch (22-to-1). Almirola (50-to-1). Austin Dillon (100-to-1).
Any Beef?
I don’t think there’s anything big simmering, but I could have missed something. Hard to say after last week’s madness.
How Should NASCAR Rig It?
A humble suggestion for NASCAR:
Kyle Busch is recognizable. He needs a win. But here’s the tragic twist.
No, you shouldn’t just have Kyle Busch lose at the end to Elliott. You should have Kyle Busch lose when he tries to pass Elliott and it goes awry. But it’s not just that. Make it so that someone—let’s say Alex Bowman because he’s the most boring—has fallen far enough back that finishing in second would have been enough for Kyle Busch to move on. There’s the tragic twist. Oh, and then have Austin Dillon be the beneficiary of Kyle Busch accidentally wrecking himself and Elliott, and have there be a dramatic moment where it’s unclear if Elliott’s still going to advance. So your final eight in this script is Harvick, Hamlin, Kurt Busch, Keselowski, Truex, Logano, Elliott, and Austin Dillon.
That’s the best I’ve got.
