With championship momentum on the line, NASCAR Cup Series and NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series drivers weigh the importance of a win at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Bank of America 400 weekend tickets are available at www.charlottemotorspeedway.com or by calling 1-800-455-FANS (3267). Kids 12 and under can experience the action all weekend for just $10, and fans can take their race-day experience to the next level with a Track Pass upgrade featuring stage-front access, driver introductions and Sunday’s pre-race concert
CONCORD, N.C. (Sept. 21, 2026) – When the NASCAR Chase returns to Charlotte Motor Speedway’s iconic 1.5-mile oval this October for the first time since 2017, drivers know a victory could provide the momentum needed for a championship run.
Ahead of Bank of America 400 weekend, here’s what some of NASCAR’s biggest stars had to say about the return to the oval and why they’re eager to battle for a win at one of the sport’s premier tracks.
Austin Cindric, No. 2, NASCAR Cup Series, Team Penske
“I think a win in the current point system is still very important. Although it doesn’t guarantee you anything, I think a win is big. I think anytime you can win at Charlotte, I think it is really big. It’s the home race for a lot of us. For me, I grew up racing at Charlotte Motor Speedway, so having a win there would be awesome.”
Jesse Love, No. 2, NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, Richard Childress Racing
“I think that every driver has their kind of quota of how many race wins it’s going to take to win a championship, and obviously the further back you are in The Chase seeding is, the harder it’s going to be. So, I think for me, Charlotte’s definitely one of the race tracks that I have scheduled and kind of circled on the calendar more than maybe most of them. I’m looking forward to getting there. That’s one of those races that I know that the No. 2 team has to show up in and win or have a lot of points to go win a championship.”
Justin Allgaier, No. 7, NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, JR Motorsports
“I think just being at home and having that home-game advantage of going to Charlotte Motor Speedway and knowing that’s where we all want to win. We have family and friends and everybody wants to come to that race. It’s a huge event on its own, let alone being in The Chase. So the momentum aside from just winning that race is huge, but when you do that in The Chase, and you’re able to kind of carry that momentum forward, it means a lot and I think that all the teams are really gunning for that one.”
Chase Elliott, No. 9, NASCAR Cup Series, Hendrick Motorsports
“Whether things are going really well for you or not, a win is a win. And I think that would be a great, you know, either a great addition to an already good playoff or good Chase start, or an opportunity to propel you forward and having a chance to win it.”
Austin Hill, No. 21, NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, Richard Childress Racing
“A win anywhere is going to be special because you get those extra bonus points, so being able to do that at a place like Charlotte, especially the later part of the nine races that we’re running, I think that would kind of build that momentum, that confidence, especially if you’re maybe you’re not first in the points system, maybe you’re fifth or sixth or whatever. It might just give you that extra little boost to go after it for the end of the season.”
Sam Mayer, No. 41, NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, Haas Factory Team
“Charlotte is one of the few tracks where I think we could actually go out there and win, and we have to do that with where we’re at the point, so the more wins, the better. I feel like Charlotte is one of those ones that we can just execute all day and get to Victory Lane.”
TICKETS:
Bank of America 400 weekend tickets are available now at www.charlottemotorspeedway.com or by calling 1-800-455-FANS (3267). Kids 12 and under can experience all the action for just $10, and fans can elevate their race-day experience with a Track Pass upgrade featuring stage-front access, driver introductions and Sunday’s pre-race concert.
MORE INFO:
Fans can connect with Charlotte Motor Speedway and get the latest news by following X, Instagram and Facebook, or by downloading the Charlotte Motor Speedway mobile app.
