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The Bank of America ROVAL 400 at Charlotte Outlook

By
SM Staff
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Photo by John Knittel for SpeedwayMedia.com

The NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) heads to the Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course for the Bank of America ROVAL 400 this weekend. The road course has hosted a NASCAR Cup Series Playoff race since 2018.

Shane van Gisbergen captured the pole last season with a lap of 99.246 MPH (82.704 secs.) and Kyle Larson started sixth, led a race-high 62 of the 109 laps, and cruised to a dominant victory in the seventh annual running of the Bank of America Roval 400 at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course on Sunday, October 13, 2024.

NASCAR Cup Series Standings

PosDriverNoPointsRace WinsStage WinsPlayoff Pts+/- Cutoff
1Chase Elliott (P)93,1042118In On Wins
2Ryan Blaney (P)123,0993833In On Wins
3Kyle Larson (P)53,124393254
4Denny Hamlin (P)113,118563648
5Christopher Bell (P)203,114422844
6William Byron (P)243,110273240
7Chase Briscoe (P)193,091251821
8Joey Logano (P)223,08313813
9Ross Chastain (P)13,070127-13
10Bubba Wallace (P)233,057149-26
11Tyler Reddick (P)453,054026-29
12Austin Cindric (P)23,035138-48

Track & Race Information for the Bank of America ROVAL 400

Playoff Race #: 6 of 10
Purse: $9,797,935
Track Size/Type: 2.28 Mile Asphalt Road Course
Number of Turns: 17
Elevation Change: 35 degrees
Race Length: 109 laps / 248.52 miles

Time

Sunday, October 5th, at 3 p.m. ET on USA, PRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Stages

Stage 1 and 2 Length: 25 laps (each)
Final Stage Length: 59 laps

The previous Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course playoff race winners:

Elliott and Larson lead the NCS in wins at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course with two wins each.

DateRace WinnerOrganizationStarting Position
Sunday, September 30, 2018Ryan BlaneyTeam Penske9
Sunday, September 29, 2019Chase ElliottHendrick Motorsports19
Sunday, October 11, 2020Chase ElliottHendrick Motorsports2
Sunday, October 10, 2021Kyle LarsonHendrick Motorsports10
Sunday, October 9, 2022Christopher BellJoe Gibbs Racing8
Sunday, October 8, 2023AJ AllmendingerKaulig Racing6
Sunday, October 13, 2024Kyle LarsonHendrick Motorsports6

Who and what should you look out for at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course?

  • Tyler Reddick (No. 45 23XI Racing Toyota) has one pole, one top five, three top 10s, and an average finish of 7.800.
  • Chase Elliott (No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet) has two wins, three top fives, five top 10s, and an average finish of 7.714. Elliott went on to win his first NASCAR Cup Series title in 2020 after winning the Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course that season. In 2020, Elliott won the third playoff race at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course. Elliott ranks third on the all-time NCS road course wins list with seven victories, the most among active drivers.
  • Joey Logano (No. 22 Team Penske Ford) has one pole, two top fives, six top 10s, and an average finish of 8.571. Logano also leads the NCS in average starting position with a 6.167 in six starts.
  • Kyle Larson (No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet) has two wins, two top fives, two top 10s, and an average finish of 14.667. Larson went on to win his first NASCAR Cup Series title in 2021 after winning the Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course that season. In 2024, Kyle Larson won the seventh playoff race at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course.
  • Christopher Bell (No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota) has one win, two top fives, three top 10s, and an average finish of 10.000. In 2022, Christopher Bell won the fifth playoff race at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course.
  • Ryan Blaney (No. 12 Team Penske Ford) has one win, two top fives, five top 10s, and an average finish of 10.143. The NCS made its track debut at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course in 2018, and Blaney won the event.
  • Denny Hamlin (No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota) has one top five, one top 10, and an average finish of 16.429.

Spire Motorsports EcoSave 250 Race Advance

By
Official Release
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  • Spire Motorsports will field three entries in the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series inaugural race on the Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway ROVAL. Connor Zilisch, who will drive the No. 7 Delaware Life Chevrolet Silverado Friday, owns the team’s best finish on a road course, qualifying on the pole and finishing fourth in his CRAFTSMAN Truck Series debut last March at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas. The Mooresville, N.C., organization fields the Nos. 7, 71 and 77 Chevrolets full time in the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series. The No. 7 entry will see a rotating roster of all-star caliber drivers for the remainder of the season, while Rajah Caruth and NASCAR Cup Series veteran Corey LaJoie will pilot the Nos. 71 and 77, respectively.
  • All three Spire Chevrolet Silverados will participate in the “Window of Hope” program, swapping the traditional black window net pull tab for a pink one to honor and raise funds for breast cancer awareness through the Erik Jones Foundation.
  • The EcoSave 250 will be televised live on FS1 Friday, Oct. 3 beginning at 3:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT). The first of three races in the Round of 8 of the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series playoffs, and 22nd of 25 events on the series’ 2025 calendar, will be broadcast live on the NASCAR Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, Channel 90.

Connor Zilisch – Driver, No. 7 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet Silverado

  • Connor Zilisch will pilot Spire Motorsports’ No. 7 Delaware Life Chevrolet Silverado in Friday’s EcoSave 250 at the Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL.
  • Zilisch will pull double duty on the weekend, also driving his No. 88 WeatherTech Chevrolet for JR Motorsports in Saturday’s NASCAR Xfinity Series’ Blue Cross NC 250. The series’ championship hopeful already accumulated enough points to lock into the Round of 8 with one race remaining in the Round of 12.
  • The 67-lap event will mark his eighth CRAFTSMAN Truck Series start and sixth with Spire Motorsports. Zilisch will make his first start at the ROVAL in any series this weekend.
  • Last March, the talented teenager made his NASCAR debut in Spire Motorsports’ Brian Pattie-prepared No. 7 Silverado at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas. He set a track record while claiming the Cometic Gasket Pole Award by 0.714 seconds. Despite a pair of early-race miscues, Zilisch battled through the field twice to earn a spirited fourth-place finish.
  • In seven road course starts in the Xfinity Series, the decorated road course racer has tallied five poles, five wins, seven top fives, seven top 10s, 275 laps led in 509 laps contested (54.02 percent) and owns a sixth-place average starting position and an average finish of 1.7.
  • Delaware Life is an insurance and annuity company that empowers financial professionals with a wide array of customizable solutions. A subsidiary of Group 1001 Insurance Holdings LLC, Delaware Life focuses on delivering a seamless experience for advisors. The company understands how important it is to find the right fit for every client, every situation and every individual need. Delaware Life is passionate about equipping advisors with annuities that give their customers peace of mind and a successful future, allowing them to plan with confidence for whatever’s next.
  • Zilisch will race Spire Manufacturing chassis SMT-071 Friday, the same truck he drove in his NASCAR debut last March at Circuit of the Americas.
  • Before it was property of Spire Motorsports, chassis SMT-071 saw previous success as the primary road course truck for Kyle Busch Motorsports. Busch drove it to victory at Sonoma Raceway in June 2022, leading 45 of the event’s 75 laps en route to the team’s 95th win in the series.
  • In nine appearances, SMT-071 has tallied two poles, one win and five top fives while maintaining a 3.5 average starting position and an 10.5 average finish. The truck has paced the field for 94 circuits and led laps in six of its nine starts.

Connor Zilisch Quotes
You have shown a lot of consistency on road courses across the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series and Xfinity Series. What is it about road courses that suits your style so well?
“It’s my background and just coming up racing in Go Karts. I raced on road courses a lot more than most people in NASCAR did, so I just have a better feel for it. I am really excited to go to the ROVAL and get the chance to race for Spire Motorsports again this year. I had a lot of fun racing with the No. 7 team last year and I wanted to do more races than I have so far this year, which is zero, but I am excited to at least get to go to the ROVAL with them and maybe try and redeem ourselves for losing the race at COTA last year.”

How will the truck handle differently from your Xfinity Series car and how will you adapt?
“The truck has a little bit less power and more downforce, so it’s a little bit faster through the corners which just drives differently. It always takes me a little bit to get up to speed but I know the No. 7 team will bring me a fast Chevy Silverado and we will be able to contend for a win.”

Atop the No. 7 Box – Crew Chief Brian Pattie

  • Brian Pattie stands atop of the No. 7 pit box, an entry that has seen an abundance of all-star caliber drivers behind the wheel throughout the 2025 season.
  • In NASCAR Cup Series competition, Pattie called a pair of road course victories. In 2010, Juan Pablo Montoya led 74 of 90 laps en route to a dominant 4.735-second win at Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International. Two years later, Clint Bowyer held off a hard-charging Tony Stewart in the final laps to earn his first of three wins of the season at Sonoma (Calif.) Raceway.
  • During his time at NEMCO Motorsports, the 50-year-old was atop the ‘war wagon’ for two Xfinity Series (2000, 2001) and one CRAFTSMAN Truck Series win (1999) at Watkins Glen, all with driver Ron Fellows.
  • Last time out at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, the No. 7 team and driver Patrick Emerling sustained left-front damage after another competitor initiated contact on pit road. The damage eventually led to contact with the outside retaining wall, ending the team’s day. Unfortunately, the result eliminated the No. 7 team from the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series owner’s playoffs.
  • Through 21 races, the No. 7 crew has tallied two wins, seven top fives and 10 top 10s.
  • While the Zephyrhills, Fla., native is yet to call CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race at the Charlotte ROVAL, he has stood atop the box for five NASCAR Cup Series races on the configuration, claiming a course-best 17th-place finish in both 2019 and 2020 with Ricky Stenhouse, Jr.
  • In May, the team and driver Carson Hocevar claimed victory in the Heart of Health Care 200 at Kansas Speedway. Hocevar led 75 of the event’s 134 laps and survived last-lap contact en route to his fifth victory in the series and first aboard a Spire Motorsports- prepared Chevy Silverado.
  • The No. 7 team defended its 2024 victory in the Fr8 208 at Atlanta Motor Speedway in February with Kyle Busch behind the wheel. The Las Vegas driver spent all 135 laps in the top 15 while leading a race-high 80 laps and recording a field-leading average running position (3.2) and driver rating (124.6).
  • The 24-year industry veteran spent 14 seasons in NASCAR’s premier division. As a crew chief, he’s amassed six wins in Cup Series competition, 11 in the Xfinity Series and seven in the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series. He stands as one of 11 crew chiefs to win races across all three of NASCAR’s national touring series.

Rajah Caruth – Driver, No. 71 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet Silverado

  • Rajah Caruth will handle the driving chores for Spire Motorsports’ No. 71 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet Silverado in Friday afternoon’s EcoSave 250 on the ROVAL at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
  • In the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series most recent race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, the No. 71 team collected 11 stage points and a 10th-place result to stay above the playoff cutline and advance to the Round of 8.
  • Caruth secured his second CRAFTSMAN Truck Series playoff berth by claiming victory at Nashville (Tenn.) Superspeedway in May, and advanced to the Round of 8 for the second-consecutive season. Entering the first of three races in the Round of 8, the 23-year-old sits seventh on the playoff grid, just five points below the Championship 4 cutline.
  • The 2024 CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Most Popular Driver will make his first series appearance at the ROVAL, but has experience on the course in NASCAR Xfinity Series competition. He navigated several late-race incidents at the wheel of the No. 44 Chevrolet to finish 19th in the 2023 Drive for the Cure 250.
  • With his NASCAR Xfinity Series appearance at the venue in 2023, the Winston-Salem (N.C.) State University graduate is one of three Round of 8 drivers with a NASCAR National Series event under his belt at the ROVAL.
  • Some of Caruth’s first times behind the wheel of a race car came in U.S. Legend Cars International competition on the Concord, N.C., venue’s infield road course.
  • Through 21 races, the Washington, D.C., native has registered one win, three top fives and 10 top 10s. He has led 193 laps, nearly quadrupling his 57 career laps led entering the 2025 season.
  • In the No. 71 team’s first playoff appearance in 2024, Caruth and Co. advanced to the Round of 8, but mechanical issues stalled their Championship 4 hopes in the season’s penultimate event at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway.
  • With his first career CRAFTSMAN Truck Series win at Las Vegas Motor Speedway last season, Caruth became the third African-American driver to win a NASCAR National Touring Series race, joining 2015 NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee Wendell Scott and current Cup Series star Bubba Wallace.
  • HendrickCars.com is the online home for everything Hendrick Automotive Group. Visitors can shop more than 30,000 new or pre-owned vehicles, locate centers for service and collision repair, receive a value to sell or trade their car, chat online with customer service, discover career opportunities, learn more about vehicle protection programs, and explore how the company gives back to the community.
  • The blue and white HendrickCars.com colors will wrap Spire Manufacturing chassis SMT-072. Last on track at Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International, the truck has recorded two top fives and five top 10s in nine appearances.

Rajah Caruth Quotes
The Round of 8 is a wildcard lineup of tracks. What do you have to do to advance to the Championship 4 and compete for a title at Phoenix?
“With the ROVAL, Talladega and Martinsville in the round, jungle rules go into effect. It is a great opportunity with how close the points are to the cutline. Last year, I was something like 20 points behind the cut at the start of the round, but I’m currently only six points out of third. It is free game to get to the Championship 4. You cannot have a bad race. You can’t afford to finish bad, have a mechanical issue, get caught in an incident or fail to execute; especially in the first two races. I think stage points and a top-five or top-10 finish will be critical to stay in the fight.”

You are one of the only drivers in the field with past experience on the ROVAL. How much will you be relying on that experience?
“I think it’s valuable to know where to put yourself situationally and in traffic on restarts. Just like a couple weeks ago at New Hampshire, it’ll be super valuable to unload for practice and know where I’m at and the flow of the racetrack to be in the game. I expect to be right where I need to be when we hit the track, and excited to battle for a shot at a championship with all my No. 71 HendrickCars.com guys.”

Atop the No. 71 Box – Crew Chief Kevin “Bono” Manion

  • Veteran crew chief Kevin “Bono” Manion has called 15 CRAFTSMAN Truck Series road course events, collecting three top 10 finishes. Zane Smith’s sixth-place result in 2021 at Watkins Glen marked his best finish.
  • In 2023, Manion called the NASCAR Cup Series’ Bank of America ROVAL 400 for Spire Motorsports’ No. 77 team and driver Ty Dillon, a Greenville Swamp Rabbits and Bon Secours co-branded Chevrolet. It marked his only prior visit to the Charlotte ROVAL.
  • The Boylston, Mass., native was atop the box for Martin Truex, Jr.’s victory in the inaugural Xfinity Series event at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico City. The win marked the first of six in the 2005 campaign for the duo. Just nine months later, the pairing secured their second Xfinity Series title in as many seasons at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
  • The 53-year-old, a 31-year veteran of the sport, founded Spire Motorsports’ CRAFTSMAN Truck Series program alongside industry veteran Mike Greci in 2022. The team claimed victory in its second outing with driver William Byron at Martinsville Speedway.
  • “Bono” has racked up six Cup Series victories – including the 2010 Daytona 500 – 17 NASCAR Xfinity Series triumphs and 12 CRAFTSMAN Truck series wins. Manion is also one of 11 crew chiefs to have called wins across all three of NASCAR’s national touring series.
  • In 2023, Manion became one of few to call a race in all three of NASCAR’s national series in a single season, all of which came under the Spire Motorsports banner. He led the part-time effort on the No. 7 Silverado in the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series, helped in limited starts for Carson Hocevar in the Xfinity Series and took the reigns during the second half of the Cup Series season for Ty Dillon and the No. 77 team.

Corey LaJoie – Driver, No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet Silverado

  • Corey LaJoie will drive Spire Motorsports’ No. 77 Gainbridge Chevrolet Silverado in Friday’s EcoSave 250 on the ROVAL at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
  • While LaJoie will make his first CRAFTSMAN Truck Series road course start, he has made 31 such starts in the NASCAR Cup Series. Last September at Watkins Glen, he earned an eighth-place finish, his best on a road course, and rounded out Spire Motorsport’s first triple top-10 day alongside teammates Carson Hocevar (third) and Zane Smith (fifth). The 5.33 team average finish marked the best for a multi-car Spire team, and the collective 95 points earned on the day marked the most points earned in a single event in team history.
  • The Concord, N.C., native has made six ROVAL appearances in NASCAR’s premier series, earning a course-best 12th-place result in 2022 behind the wheel of the team’s No. 7 Chevrolet.
  • Last time out at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, LaJoie qualified eighth and maintained top-10 track position throughout the day. He tallied his second-consecutive top-10 finish and fourth in five starts with an eighth-place result.
  • The father-of-three participated in the 2023 ARCA Menards Series event at Watkins Glen, claiming the General Tire Pole Award and leading the field to the green flag. After leading the first five laps on the day, a brake issue prevented him from competing for the win. Ironically, pseudo-teammate Connor Zilisch made his first stock car start that August afternoon, finishing second.
  • Founded in 2018, Gainbridge® is an insurtech subsidiary of Group 1001 that empowers consumers to take control of their financial future with solutions that are accessible to everyone, no matter their budget or financial knowledge. Its platform provides access to financial products that are simple, intuitive, and backed by smart technology with no complexity or hidden fees. Gainbridge® is headquartered in Zionsville, Ind. For more information, visit www.gainbridge.com or follow and connect with Gainbridge on X and LinkedIn.

Corey LaJoie Quote
You are one of few drivers in the field with experience at the ROVAL. What are your thoughts heading into the weekend?
“Every year the ROVAL throws something new at us. There’s going to be some chaos, and you never know who’s going to make it through clean. For us, it’s all about executing and staying patient because anything can happen. I’m just focused on getting a good run for the No. 77 Gainbridge team and seeing where we land when the checkered flag waves.”

Atop the No. 77 Box – Crew Chief Chad Walter

  • Chad Walter has called nine CRAFTSMAN Truck Series road course events with his best result coming in 2020 with Tyler Ankrum. The duo finished sixth in the Sunoco 159 on the road course configuration of Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway.
  • In 19 starts on road courses atop the pit box in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, including a 2022 ROVAL appearance, the Cornell University graduate has tallied five top fives and seven top 10s. Walter found Victory Lane in the 2008 NAPA Auto Parts 200 at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal with Ron Fellows. The duo played strategy and elected to stay out as rain was approaching the circuit. Heavy rain descended upon the track on Lap 48 and the race was called complete with Fellows in the lead.
  • Between NASCAR’s Xfinity Series and CRAFTSMAN Truck Series, the Cornell University graduate has racked up six wins, 53 top fives and 135 top 10s.

About Spire Motorsports …
Spire Motorsports earned its inaugural NASCAR Cup Series victory in its first full season of competition when Justin Haley took the checkered flag in the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway on July 7, 2019. Less than three years later, William Byron drove Spire Motorsports’ No. 7 Chevrolet Silverado to its inaugural NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series win on April 7, 2022, at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway. The team’s most recent CRAFTSMAN Truck Series win came on May 30, 2025, when Rajah Caruth took the checkered flag in the Rackley Roofing 200 at Nashville Superspeedway.

In 2025, Spire Motorsports campaigns the Nos. 7, 71 and 77 Chevrolets in the NASCAR Cup Series. The team also fields the Nos. 7, 71 and 77 Chevrolet Silverados in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series and an ARCA Menards Series Chevrolet in select events.

HFT Advance | ROVAL

By
Official Release
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ROVAL Event Info:
Date: Sunday, Oct. 6
Time: 3 p.m. ET
Series: NASCAR Cup Series (NCS)
Location: Concord, North Carolina
Format: 109 Laps, 248.52 Miles, Stages: 25-50-109
TV: USA
Radio: PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Channel 90)

Weekend Schedule:
Saturday: 11:30 a.m. ET, Xfinity Practice (CW App, PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
Saturday: 12:30 p.m. ET, Xfinity Qualifying (CW App, PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
Saturday: 2 p.m. ET, Cup Practice (TruTV, PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
Saturday: 3:10 p.m. ET, Cup Qualifying (TruTV, PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
Saturday: 5 p.m. ET, Xfinity Race (CW, PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
Sunday: 3 p.m. ET, Cup Race (USA, PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)

Pace Laps:

  • The ROVAL at Charlotte Motor Speedway hosts the final race in the Round of 12 in the NASCAR Cup Series and Xfinity Series Playoffs this weekend, in what is the final road course event of the 2025 season.
  • Sam Mayer sits fourth in the playoff standings with 2103 points, +43 points to the cutline, while Sheldon Creed is in sixth place with 2072 points, +12 above the cutline.
  • Mayer (10.5) holds the second highest average finish among full-time NASCAR Xfinity Series drivers this season, behind only Connor Zilisch (8.1).
  • Mayer has finished inside the top five in five of his previous eight starts and has tied his career-high with 13 top-five finishes this season (also 2023).
  • Mayer (7.1) also has the third highest average starting position among full-time NASCAR Xfinity Series drivers this season, behind Zilisch (6.2) and Justin Allgaier (6.8).
  • He has started inside the top five in each of his last eight starts dating back to his lone pole of the season at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in late July.
  • Creed earned his second consecutive top-five finish this season at Kansas (5th), after a runner-up result at Bristol.

Cole Custer Team Info:
Crew Chief: Aaron Kramer
Partner: HaasTooling.com

Sheldon Creed Team Info:
Crew Chief: Jonathan Toney
Partner: Road Ranger

Sam Mayer Team Info:
Crew Chief: Jason Trinchere
Partner: Audibel

Custer at ROVAL (Cup)
Starts: 3
Wins: —
Top-10s: 1
Poles: —

  • Custer makes his fourth Cup start at the ROVAL this weekend, where he has a 17.0 average finish. His lone top-10 result came in 2020 when he finished ninth.
  • His best start was P12 in 2022, and he boasts a 21.0 average starting position.
  • Custer has also made four NXS starts at the ROVAL with three top 10s.
  • Overall, on road courses in his Cup career, Custer has three top-10s and a 19.9 average finish.

Creed at ROVAL (Xfinity)
Starts: 3
Wins: —
Top-10s: 1
Poles: —

  • Creed is set to make his fourth Xfinity start at the ROVAL on Saturday, where he is coming off a 35th-place result in last season’s race. His only top-10 finish came in 2023 when he finished 10th.
  • He has started inside the top 10 in all three starts, and carries an 4.7 average starting position into the weekend.
  • Overall, on road courses in his Xfinity career, Creed has 10 top-10s and a 17.2 average finish.

Mayer at ROVAL (Xfinity)
Starts: 4
Wins: 2 (2023, 2024)
Top-10s: 3
Poles: 1 (2023)

  • Mayer is in line for his fifth Xfinity start at the ROVAL this weekend where is a two-time winner. He has swept the previous two races in 2023 and 2024, leading 63 total laps while driving for JR Motorsports.
  • He started on the pole in 2023 and on the front row last season, and holds an average starting position of 6.0.
  • Overall, on road courses in his Xfinity career, Mayer has 17 top-10s and a 11.5 average finish.

Where They Stand
Cup Points Standings (41: 33rd): Custer is 33rd in the Cup Series points standings with 397 points heading into the ROVAL this Sunday.

Xfinity Points Standings (41: 4th, 00: 6th): Mayer sits fourth in the playoff standings with 2103 points, +43 points to the cutline, while Sheldon Creed is in sixth place with 2072 points, +12 above the cutline.

Erik Jones Joins Blue Cross NC, Breast Cancer Survivors To Paint Pit Wall Pink

By
Official Release
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Erik Jones
Erik Jones painted pit wall during the 13th annual Paint Pit Wall Pink event in conjunction with Blue Cross NC, ahead of the Bank of America ROVAL™ 400 weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway. (CMS photo)
  • Charlotte Motor Speedway, Blue Cross NC continue 13-year tradition of honoring survivors and raising awareness ahead of Saturday’s Blue Cross NC 250
  • Erik Jones Foundation continues “Windows of Hope” program to raise money for Charlotte-area partners helping women battling the disease
  • Tickets are still available for all three days of NASCAR Playoff action this weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway; for ticket information, schedules and more, call 800-455-FANS (3267) or visit www.charlottemotorspeedway.com

CONCORD, NC (Sept. 30, 2025) – On the eve of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and ahead of this weekend’s NASCAR Playoffs at America’s Home for Racing, more than 135 breast cancer survivors and supporters joined Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (Blue Cross NC), the Erik Jones Foundation and Charlotte Motor Speedway to paint the iconic pit road wall pink in a moving display of solidarity and hope.

The 13th annual Paint Pit Wall Pink celebration has become one of Charlotte’s most powerful traditions leading into race weekend, setting the stage for Saturday’s Blue Cross NC 250 NASCAR Xfinity Series race and Sunday’s Bank of America ROVAL™ 400. This year’s event underscored Blue Cross NC’s commitment not only to raising awareness for the importance of early detection in the fight against breast cancer, but also to serving additional communities in need—including those impacted by food insecurity.

“It’s just so special to be out here with our employees and other survivors. Each and every year, it’s like coming home to a family reunion and just being with family and to see them each and every year. That’s what’s really special,” said Cheryl Parquet, Blue Cross NC associate vice president of community engagement and corporate social responsibility. “We get to see them (survivors) once a year, out here. They have their pink shirts on; they show up and they want to paint the wall. It’s a special day for them because they have been working, they are the ones that are overcoming, so this day is really special to help celebrate them.”

Windows of Hope Continues Impact

In partnership with Blue Cross NC and the Erik Jones Foundation, drivers in this weekend’s Bank of America ROVAL™ 400 will continue the “Windows of Hope” program. Each NASCAR Cup Series car will feature a pink window net, which will be signed by the drivers following the race. The signed nets will be auctioned to benefit organizations focused on early cancer detection and prevention—a cause close to Erik Jones’ heart.

“It’s been fun to really ingrain this program more into our foundation. This is year three for us with the window net program and just to watch it grow, I hope it continues to grow and become more of a part of this weekend every year,” said Jones. “I always love hearing the survivors’ stories and getting to meet a handful of them, see them out here and get them out for the race.”

Blue Cross NC: Beyond Awareness

For more than a decade, Blue Cross NC has partnered with Charlotte Motor Speedway to use racing as a platform for community impact. This year, the company is building on its commitment by broadening its focus to serve additional North Carolina communities — addressing issues such as food insecurity while continuing to champion cancer prevention and survivor support.

“Our mission continues to grow — from supporting breast cancer awareness to tackling hunger and other health needs — it’s about making sure every North Carolinian has the resources they need to thrive,” said Parquet.

HOW TO GET TICKETS:

Fans can be part of a historic weekend of racing at Charlotte Motor Speedway, featuring three nights of NASCAR action:

Friday, Oct. 3: NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series
Saturday, Oct. 4: NASCAR Xfinity Series Blue Cross NC 250
Sunday, Oct. 5: NASCAR Cup Series Bank of America ROVAL™ 400
Fans can purchase by calling the speedway’s ticket office at 800-455-FANS (3267) or by visiting www.charlottemotorspeedway.com.

LEGACY MOTOR CLUB: CHARLOTTE ROVAL RACE PREVIEW

By
Official Release
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LEGACY MOTOR CLUB: CHARLOTTE MOTOR SPEEDWAY ROVAL
PRE-RACE ADVANCE
EVENT: Bank of America ROVAL 400

DATE: Oct. 5, 2025
RACE: NASCAR Cup Series 32 of 36
TRACK: Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway ROVAL | 2.32-mile, 17-Turn Road Course

CLUB MINUTES:
JJ AT CHARLOTTE: LEGACY MOTOR CLUB co-owner and seven-time NASCAR Cup Series Champion Jimmie Johnson has three starts in the series on the Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway ROVAL. He earned a total of two top-10s in his three starts on the road course. His best finish of eighth came in the inaugural race on the ROVAL in Sept. 2018 after starting sixth. He followed that up in Sept. 2019 with a ninth-place result after starting fourth. In his third and final race at the ROVAL in Oct. 2020, Johnson started 30th and finished 13th. He has finished 100% of the total laps possible at the Charlotte ROVAL in his career.

JJ ON ROAD COURSES: Johnson has a total of 41 Cup Series starts on road courses. Through those he earned one win, one pole, nine top-fives, and 20 top-10s in addition to 161 laps led. He earned his road course victory in his home state of California at Sonoma Raceway in June 2010. Johnson started second, led 55 laps, and bested Robby Gordon by 3.105 seconds.

KENSETH ROVAL STATS: LEGACY MC competition advisor and 2003 NASCAR Cup Series Champion Matt Kenseth owns one start on the Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL. In his one and only start, Kenseth started 34th and finished 23rd. He has a total of 39 Cup Series starts on road courses in his career. In these starts, he earned two top-fives and nine top-10s. He earned a best finish of second in the August 2017 race at Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International, where he finished just .414 of a second behind race winner Martin Truex Jr.

WINDOW OF HOPE: This week in partnership with the Erik Jones Foundation, the LEGACY MC cars will join the rest of the NASCAR Cup Series field in running a pink window net as part of Jones’ Window of Hope program. After taking over the program in 2023 from Kurt Busch, Jones has continued the effort to raise funds for breast cancer awareness and research. In 2024, the program raised over $50,000 to support lifesaving breast cancer detection and care. Fans can bid on the window nets start at PristineAuction.com from Oct. 1-8, 2025.

DAY WITH THE CLUB: On Thursday, Oct. 2 prior to the Charlotte ROVAL race weekend, LEGACY MC is welcoming fans to its shop in Statesville, N.C. between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. local time for a day of fun. The day will include autograph sessions with drivers and ambassadors, shop tours, food trucks, partner displays, and more. For more information, visit LEGACY MC’s social media.

NEVER SETTLE: Join ESPN’s Marty Smith and LEGACY MOTOR CLUB’s co-owner Jimmie Johnson for their weekly podcast, “Never Settle”. Tune into Never Settle on YouTube and watch the behind the scenes clips as well as full episodes. Click HERE to watch and subscribe.

JOHN HUNTER NEMECHEK
NO. 42 FAMILY DOLLAR TOYOTA CAMRY XSE
JHN AT THE ROVAL: John Hunter Nemechek has two starts at the Charlotte ROVAL in the NASCAR Cup Series with a best finish of 34th, earned last season. In the NASCAR Xfinity Series, Nemechek has earned two starts at the ROVAL and finished in the top-10 in both races. He earned his highest finish of seventh in Sept. 2019.

T-MACK ROVAL STATS: Sunday’s race will be crew chief Travis Mack’s fifth NASCAR Cup Series start at the ROVAL. His first outing came with Daniel Suárez in 2021 where the duo competed in three races together through the 2023 season. In 2024, Mack returned with Shane Van Gisbergen where the pair started on the pole and earned his highest finish at the track of seventh. In the NASCAR Xfinity Series, Mack has three starts with Michael Annett between 2018 to 2020. The duo earned their highest finish of ninth in Oct. 2020.

TRIBUTE TO BREAST CANCER HEROES: John Hunter Nemechek will pay tribute to his grandmother, breast cancer survivor Martha Nemechek, by displaying her name above the driver’s side door. He will also be running a pink window net in support of Erik Jones’ Window of Hope program.

JOHN HUNTER NEMECHEK QUOTE:
“I’m excited to race at home this weekend. We’re going to apply what we learned from our test at Kershaw and be ready to go for Sunday.”

TRAVIS MACK QUOTE:
“We tested at Kershaw a few weeks back, and we learned a lot about the car and John Hunter’s driving style. We’ve been seeing speed at road courses, and with what we learned in Kershaw, I’m confident that we’ll have a good week.”

ERIK JONES
NO. 43 TRI-STATE/MASSEY MOTOR FREIGHT TOYOTA CAMRY XSE
JONES ROVAL STATS: Sunday’s Bank of America ROVAL 400 at Charlotte Motor Speedway will mark Erik Jones’ eighth NASCAR Cup Series start at the 2.32-mile, 17-turn road course. Jones earned his best finish at the ROVAL in Oct. 2020 where he started 14th and finished third, which is his only top-10 at the track. He has an additional two top-20 finishes at the ROVAL with a 17th-place result in Oct. 2021 and an 11th-place finish in Oct. 2022.

BESHORE AT ROVAL: Crew chief Ben Beshore has three NASCAR Cup Series starts on top of the box on the Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL. His first two starts in Oct. 2021 and Oct. 2022 were with Kyle Busch where the duo finished fourth and third, respectively. Beshore returned in 2024 with Erik Jones where the duo was involved in a wreck that ended their day early after only 56 laps, resulting in a 33rd-place result. He has an additional three starts at the ROVAL in the NASCAR Xfinity Series with Harrison Burton in Sept. 2019 and Oct. 2020. He earned his best result in Oct. 2023 with John Hunter Nemechek where the duo finished eighth after starting 38th.

HONORING BREAST CANCER HEROES: In addition to the pink window net, Jones will also carry two cancer hero names on the passenger and driver’s side doors to honor both sides of the breast cancer story. On the passenger side, Jones’ name will be replaced with Stephanie Virginia Ellen, a lifelong NASCAR fan who lost her battle to breast cancer in 2017. On the driver’s side, Jones will honor his longtime manager, family friend, and breast cancer survivor Amy Stein, who battled and beat the disease in 2007.

PAINT THE WALL: On Tuesday morning, Jones made a pit stop at Charlotte Motor Speedway to participate in its 13th annual “Paint the Wall” event. Along with some of his fellow Cup Series drivers and 60 breast cancer survivors, Jones painted pit road wall pink in support of breast cancer awareness month. In addition to the painting, Jones also unveiled his No. 43 Tri-State/Massey Motor Freight Toyota Camry XSE which will be highlighted in pink accents for the weekend to support the cause.

ERIK JONES QUOTE
“The Charlotte ROVAL is a track that we’re ready to try some new stuff at. We’ve been working on our road course program all year, so I’m excited to get there and see if we can continue to improve on road courses. It’s always a good week to be home and race right down the road. There’s nothing like racing at Charlotte with how long this schedule is and how much travel is involved. Hoping we can get another good result here on Sunday.”

BEN BESHORE QUOTE
“The Charlotte ROVAL will be something. Our road course package is one area where we really need to put in a lot of work from a team standpoint. We haven’t had very good results on road courses this year. Maybe it’s a place where we can try something a little different from a setup or car build area to see if we can learn something going into the 2026 season. We’ll try to get a read on something new and try to use it as sort of a test for something to help us improve on our program next year.”

CLUB APPEARANCES:
Jones will visit Trackside Live in the Fan Zone on Sunday, Oct. 5 at 11:15 a.m. local time for a short Q&A session with the fans. He will then go to the Toyota trackside merchandise hauler for an autograph session in the fan zone at 11:40 a.m. local time.

Nemechek will visit Trackside Live in the Fan Zone on Sunday, Oct. 5 at 11:45 a.m. local time for a Q&A session with fans. He will also be at the NASCAR Classics trackside merchandise rig to sign for fans at 12:00 p.m. local time.

TUNE IN:
Fans can tune in to watch the Bank of America ROVAL 400 on Sunday, Oct. 5 at 3 p.m. ET on USA, MAX, PRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Channel 90).

ABOUT LEGACY MOTOR CLUB: (LEGACY MC) is a premier auto racing organization owned by seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and 2024 NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee, Jimmie Johnson and Knighthead Capital Management, LLC. Drawing from a rich tradition of success, LEGACY MC is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of motorsport and setting new standards of excellence. The CLUB competes under the Toyota Gazoo Racing banner in the NASCAR Cup Series with the No. 43 Toyota Camry XSE piloted by Erik Jones and the No. 42 Toyota Camry XSE driven by John Hunter Nemechek. Johnson also races on a limited basis in the No. 84 Toyota Camry XSE. With NASCAR legend and Hall of Famer Richard Petty, “The King”, serving as CLUB Ambassador, LEGACY MC blends timeless racing traditions with a new forward-thinking vision. As an inclusive community for motorsport enthusiasts, LEGACY MC honors both its storied past and the promising future of its members, always striving for victory and championship glory at the pinnacle of NASCAR competition.

Spire Motorsports Bank of America ROVAL 400 Race Advance

By
Official Release
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  • In 11 NASCAR Cup Series starts at the Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway ROVAL, Spire Motorsports has logged two top-15 and four top-20 finishes. Both Corey LaJoie and Carson Hocevar, driver of the team’s No. 77 Modo Casino Chevrolet ZL1, earned a team-best 12th-place result on the layout in 2022 and 2024, respectively. Spire Motorsports fields the Nos. 7, 71 and 77 Chevrolet ZL1s with Justin Haley, Michael McDowell and Hocevar, respectively.
  • All three Spire Chevrolet ZL1s will participate in the “Window of Hope” program, swapping the traditional black window net for pink netting to honor and raise funds for breast cancer awareness through the Erik Jones Foundation.
  • The Bank of America ROVAL 400 will be televised live on USA Sunday, Oct. 5 beginning at 3 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT). The 32nd of 36 points-paying events on the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series calendar will be broadcast live on the Performance Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, Channel 90.

Justin Haley – Driver, No. 7 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet ZL1

  • Justin Haley will pilot Spire Motorsports’ No. 7 Gainbridge STEM Chevrolet ZL1 in Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series Bank of America ROVAL 400 at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C.
  • Haley joined 50 middle school students from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg area for a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) event Tuesday, Sept. 30 at the GM Tech Center in Concord, N.C., less than a mile from Charlotte. The program featured live pit stop demonstrations at Hendrick Motorsports’ pit pad where the team’s Pit Stop Coach, Keith Flynn, explained each pit crew role, allowed students to handle the equipment, and held a competition where select students were able to change a race-car tire.
  • In four previous Cup Series starts at the ROVAL, Haley earned one top-five and two top-10 finishes, including a venue-best fifth place effort in October 2022 on the 2.32-mile road course/oval layout. Over those four starts, Haley has logged a 27.3 average start and a 22.5 average finish and completed 396 of 439 laps contested (90.2 percent).
  • The ROVAL serves as the sixth and final road course on the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series schedule. This season, Haley has earned finishes of 16th at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, 24th at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City, 22nd at the Chicago Street Race, 15th at Sonoma (Calif.) Raceway and 27th at Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International.
  • The Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation empowers communities with clean, safe places for underserved youth to play, learn, and grow. Since 2018, Group 1001 and the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation (CRSF) have combined efforts to build 17 youth development parks and install 20 STEM centers nationwide. Group 1001 employees have joined CRSF to host and volunteer for four Community Enhancement Projects. CRSF and Group 1001 have impacted over 100,000 youth in their joint effort to promote active lifestyles and educational opportunities. For more information, visit https://ripkenfoundation.org/ or follow and connect with us @CalRipkenSrFdn @gainbridgesport @GainbridgeSport.
  • Founded in 2018, Gainbridge® is an insurtech subsidiary of Group 1001 that empowers consumers to take control of their financial future with solutions that are accessible to everyone, no matter their budget or financial knowledge. Its platform provides access to financial products that are simple, intuitive, and backed by smart technology with no complexity or hidden fees. Gainbridge® is headquartered in Zionsville, Ind. For more information, visit www.gainbridge.com or follow and connect with Gainbridge on X and LinkedIn.
  • Haley has also found success in NASCAR Xfinity Series competition at the ROVAL where the Winamac, Ind., native has made three starts, earning one top-five finish, a fourth-place result in the 67-lap event in October 2021. Across those three races, Haley posted a 5.3 average starting position, a 23.3 average finish, and led a total of seven laps.
  • Haley has made four previous starts for Spire Motorsports at “America’s Home For Racing,” two of which were on the ROVAL, finishing 37th in October 2021 and 26th in October 2024. He recorded finishes of 28th in May 2021 and 30th in May 2025 on the speedway’s 1.5-mile quad-oval.
  • Last Sunday at Kansas Speedway, Haley and the No. 7 crew started 22nd and finished 18th to earn the team’s 13th top-20 finish of the season.
  • Sunday’s race at the ROVAL will mark Haley’s 176th career NASCAR Cup Series start. Over the course of the last seven seasons, the 26-year-old has collected one win, six top five, 18 top 10s and led 123 laps. He made his first premier series start with Spire Motorsports at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway in 2019 and has since made 75 Cup Series starts with the team.
  • Justin Haley Quotes
  • The ROVAL marks the final road course of the season, and you’ve earned top-20 finishes at both COTA and Sonoma. What’s your mindset going into this weekend’s race?
  • “I’ve always enjoyed the challenge of the ROVAL. It’s exciting for both the drivers and the fans, which brings its importance to a premium. We’ve been working towards getting the road course package more comfortable and I’ve had some of my best races at the ROVAL. I’m looking forward to racing at home this weekend.”

Atop the No. 7 Box – Crew Chief Ryan Sparks

  • Ryan Sparks serves a dual role as Spire Motorsports’ Competition Director and crew chief for driver Justin Haley.
  • The Winston-Salem, N.C., native has sat atop the pit box for 197 NASCAR Cup Series races, earning four top-five and 10 top-10 finishes over the course of his career.
  • Sparks has called five previous Cup Series races on the ROVAL, where he earned his venue-best 12th-place in 2022 with Corey LaJoie.

Michael McDowell – Driver, No. 71 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet ZL1

  • Michael McDowell will race Spire Motorsports’ No. 71 Delaware Life/FIG Chevrolet ZL1 in Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series Bank of America ROVAL 400 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
  • McDowell owns seven Cup Series starts at the Charlotte Motor Speedway road course, calling a 2019 12th-place finish his venue and career best. Across those seven races, the Glendale, Ariz., native claimed two top-15 and four top-20 finishes.
  • The seasoned road racer qualified inside the top-15 in two of his last three attempts and recorded the 11th-fastest lap in time trials at the 2022 event.
  • Across his seven ROVAL starts in NASCAR’s premier division, the father-of-five completed 100 percent of the laps contested, where he’s logged a total of 766 laps.
  • McDowell’s cousin, Jason Noll, will assist primary spotter Michael Fisher this weekend.
  • The 2023 Verizon 200 at The Brickyard winner claimed two top-five finishes on road courses in 2025, including a season best fourth-place effort during NASCAR’s June visit to Sonoma (Calif.) Raceway.
  • Last weekend at Kansas Speedway, McDowell started at the rear of the field following a post-inspection penalty, but rallied to a team-best 14th-place finish at the 1.5-mile track.
  • In his last four races, the 40-year-old driver has earned an average finish of 13.2 including an eighth-place finish two races ago at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
  • Over the course of 31 races in 2025, McDowell tallied two top-five, four top-10, 13 top-15, and 18 top-20 finishes. To date, the veteran racer has earned an average starting position of 15.9, an 18.9 average finish, led 86 laps, and been running at the finish of all but two of the season’s first 31 points-paying races.
  • This weekend’s Delaware Life Chevrolet will feature Charlotte-based Financial Independence Group (FIG) on the hood of McDowells’ blue and teal machine.
  • Financial Independence Group (FIG) is a financial services company and national leader in the independent marketing organization (IMO) and field marketing organization (FMO) industry. Privately held and independently owned, FIG’s fixed insurance solutions help independent, licensed financial professionals guide their retail investment clients to an optimal retirement plan. FIG has provided solutions for over 49 years, specializing in guaranteed income, asset protection, and multi-generational planning. Over 3,000 professionals across the U.S. access more than 70 top-rated carriers to design fixed index annuity, fixed annuity, life insurance, care planning, and disability income solutions to best fit the interests of their clients.
  • McDowell has claimed three Xfinity Fastest Lap awards this season, clocking the fastest lap in the Daytona 500, Phoenix Raceway and Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway. The team is one of just three in the series to tally three or more bonus points via the program.
  • The No. 71 team secured Spire Motorsports’ first Busch Light Pole Award in March at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. McDowell’s 28.833-second lap marks the fastest lap recorded in NASCAR’s seventh-generation Cup Series car (2022-present) at the 1.5-mile Nevada oval. The team also earned Spire Motorsports’ first stage win during the Grant Park 165 on the streets of downtown Chicago.
  • McDowell’s team earned a handsome $100,000 payday and a trip to Victory Lane after winning the Mechanix Wear Pit Crew Challenge during May’s NASCAR All-Star Weekend at North Wilkesboro (N.C.) Speedway. The crew’s winning 12.587-second stop topped all entries for both the NASCAR All-Star Open and NASCAR All-Star Race, earning them the title of the fastest team on pit road.

Michael McDowell Quote
Talk about the ROVAL from the point of view of a road course ace?
“The ROVAL is unique, it’s one of a kind in the sense that it’s not like any other road courses we see. It’s not a typical or standard road course. But the oval part of it isn’t really a thing anymore. I think in the old car you had to choose whether you wanted your car to go through the banking or go through the infield, whereas now in the Next-Gen car it’s not really a hybrid, as much. So, set up wise you’re thinking about it from a road-course standpoint, but it’s very unique.”

Atop the No. 71 Box – Crew Chief Travis Peterson

  • Crew chief Travis Peterson joined Spire Motorsports following the 2024 season after spending 2023-2024 calling the shots for McDowell at Front Row Motorsports.
  • Prior to his time as McDowell’s crew chief, Peterson worked as a race engineer for RFK Racing, earning back-to-back top-10 finishes (2021-2022) with Chris Buescher including a venue-best finish of third in 2022.
  • Across two Cup Series races at the ROVAL, the West Bend, Wisc., crew chief holds an average start of 17.0 paired with an average finish of 23.5.

Carson Hocevar – Driver, No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet ZL1

  • Modo Casino returns to Carson Hocevar’s No. 77 Chevrolet ZL1 for the Bank of America ROVAL 400 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The Portage, Mich., native has just one previous start at the 2.32-mile road course resulting in a 12th-place effort.
  • Modo Casino, America’s fastest-growing social casino from ARB Interactive, is proudly built in the U.S. and offers players the thrill of casino-style gaming online. This free-to-play platform features hundreds of popular slot titles, live dealer experiences, and classic table games like Blackjack and Roulette. Players use free coins to compete and can redeem winnings for real-world prizes and experiences, creating a fun, accessible and low stress way to play. Through partnerships with major sports properties, Modo Casino delivers exclusive content, unique fan experiences, and culturally relevant entertainment for millions of players nationwide. Modo Casino follows the International Social Games Association’s and the Social Gaming Leadership Alliance’s best practice principles, as well as all relevant consumer protection, competition, advertising and privacy regulations. Modo Casino will return to the No. 77 Chevy at Talladega Superspeedway and Martinsville (Va.) Speedway.
  • Hocevar has eight total starts on road courses in the NASCAR Cup Series with a best finish of third earned at Watkins Glen International on September 15, 2024.
  • The Delaware Life team is coming off an eighth-place showing in last Sunday’s race at Iowa Speedway. Hocevar qualified sixth and earned stage points in Stage 1 before a spin midway through Stage 2 sent him to the back of the pack. The 22-year-old driver rallied for his best finish in two starts at the 0.875-mile D-shaped oval and his second top-10 finish in as many races.
  • Through 31 of 36 points-paying races, Hocevar has spent 53.4% of laps run inside the top 15 – more than double his total at this time last season. He ranks ninth among all drivers on speed shown early in the run.

Carson Hocevar Quotes
How has your approach to road course races changed over the last year?
“Last year, in general, our focus was to finish races. We’ve changed that approach to going for wins and going as hard as we can so I think that’s allowed me to learn more about racing up front and challenging for position. I think there’s a lot of opportunity on road courses and we’ve run decent this year, it’s just finishing it out.”

Have you adjusted your driving style throughout the playoffs as you race around guys that are trying to advance to Phoenix?
“Not really. I’m not going to intentionally put anyone in a bad spot, but we’re still here to win races. I appreciate what they are fighting for and don’t want to be the driver that ruins someone’s playoff run. I just rely on the team to keep me updated on what is going on and I focus on my goal, which is getting to the front.”

Atop the No. 77 Box – Crew Chief Luke Lambert

  • Luke Lambert will call his seventh NASCAR Cup Series race at the Charlotte ROVAL on Sunday. Hocevar’s 12th-place result was the second-best for the crew chief, only ranking behind an 11th-place finish with Ryan Newman in 2018.
  • The Mount Airy, N.C., native has also called one NASCAR Xfinity Series race at the Charlotte-based venue; a third-place effort with driver Noah Gragson in 2022.

About Spire Motorsports …
Spire Motorsports earned its inaugural NASCAR Cup Series victory in its first full season of competition when Justin Haley took the checkered flag in the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway on July 7, 2019. Less than three years later, William Byron drove Spire Motorsports’ No. 7 Chevrolet Silverado to its inaugural NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series win on April 7, 2022, at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway. The team’s most recent CRAFTSMAN Truck Series win came on May 30, 2025, when Rajah Caruth took the checkered flag in the Rackley Roofing 200 at Nashville (Tenn.) Superspeedway.

In 2025, Spire Motorsports campaigns the Nos. 7, 71 and 77 Chevrolets in the NASCAR Cup Series. The team also fields the Nos. 7, 71 and 77 Chevrolet Silverados in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series and an ARCA Menards Series Chevrolet in select events.

Jason Kitzmiller, A.L.L. Construction Racing Aim to Put Exclamation Point on 2025 ARCA Season at Toledo Speedway

By
Official Release
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TOLEDO, Ohio: The checkered flag is within sight.

Tackling his first full season of ARCA Menards Series competition will come to a close this weekend at Toledo Speedway for Jason Kitzmiller and his A.L.L. Construction Racing team in Saturday afternoon’s Owens Corning 200 in Northern Ohio.

Through 19 races, Kitzmiller, the seasoned veteran, has experienced more highs than lows, but he turns to his debut at the Automobile Racing Club of America’s home track as an opportunity to put an exclamation point on what can be assessed as a successful campaign.

From superspeedways to short tracks, road courses and even two dirt races sprinkled in, Kitzmiller and his Statesville, N.C.-based team have continued to grow stronger throughout the season.

Along the way, they’ve recorded several competitive runs and built a notebook of experience that should serve them well heading into 2026.

Now, the tight quarter-mile oval of Toledo Speedway presents a final test — one where execution, patience and track position will be critical in bringing the season to a close on a strong note.

“This year has been a huge learning curve, but also one of the most rewarding seasons of my career,” said Kitzmiller.

“We’ve been to so many different types of tracks, faced a lot of challenges, and kept building every week. I’m proud of our A.L.L. Construction Racing team and the fight we’ve shown all season.

“Toledo gives us one more shot to finish strong, and I’d love nothing more than to close it out with a performance that shows how far we’ve come.”

The Petersburg, West Virginia native heads to the season finale on the heels of a third-consecutive top-10 finish at Kansas Speedway with a respectable ninth-place finish in last Friday night’s Reese’s 150 in the Midwest.

Armed with 13 top-10 performances so far this season, the successful entrepreneur heads to the popular and extremely fast short track looking to close out the year with another top-10 tally.

“It feels really good to go into the last race of the season with the momentum we’ve built,” added Kitzmiller.

“Thirteen top-10 finishes is something our whole A.L.L. Construction Racing team can be proud of. We’ve shown we belong in this series, and my focus at Toledo is to finish strong, keep our streak alive and carry that confidence into next year.”

But it’s not just another top-10 performance that Kitzmiller is aiming for. With his respectable performance in the penultimate race of the season at Kansas, he leaped to third in the overall ARCA Menards Series championship standings.

With 200 laps on deck in the Buckeye State, Kitzmiller looks to maintain his competitive short track pace while protecting his placement in the standings and ending the year with a podium driver’s championship effort.

Just 13 points separate him from dropping to fourth in the championship standings – currently occupied by ARCA Menards Series rookie driver Isabella Robusto.

“We’ve worked so hard all year to be in this position, and it means a lot to be inside the top three heading into Toledo,” said Kitzmiller.

“The goal is to run our race, stay out of trouble, and put ourselves in position for another solid finish. If we can protect third in points and close out the season on a high note, it would be a huge accomplishment for this team and a great motivator for 2026.”

Of course, an added benefit to Kitzmiller’s first full season of ARCA Menards Series quest has been the confidence, support and guidance from crew chief and top-10 ARCA driver champion Frank Kimmel.

Much like he’s had to do for 15 races this season, Kitzmiller has added new tracks to his resume. Toledo Speedway will be no different.

Thankfully, from 1990 to 2015, Kimmel made 37 ARCA starts at Toledo, which included three poles, nine wins, 24 top-five and 27 top-10 finishes.

He also completed 6,316 of a possible 6,617 laps for a 95 percent completion rate in the lap competition.

Kitzmiller hopes all of Kimmel’s knowledge at Toledo Speedway will pay dividends before the curtain falls on the 73rd season of ARCA competition.

“Having Frank on the box has been a huge blessing this year,” Kitzmiller said.

“His experience and success in ARCA, especially at tracks like Toledo, gives me a lot of confidence.

“I know I can lean on him for advice about how the track changes, what to expect in long runs, and how to position ourselves late in the race. With his guidance, I feel like we have a real shot at ending the season strong.”

For Toledo, the team welcomes the continued support of Carter Machinery, featuring the iconic Caterpillar (Cat®) brand as the primary partner on the No. 97 Chevrolet SS for the 20th consecutive race this season.

Carter Machinery’s humble start began in 1928, serving Virginia and southeastern West Virginia.

As our customers’ needs changed over the years, we evolved by continually adding new products, services, and locations, with exponential growth occurring after our 2020 acquisition of Alban Tractor Company.

Today, our footprint spans the Mid-Atlantic, with over 30 locations throughout Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, and the District of Columbia.

We sell, rent and support the full line of Cat® equipment, engines, and electric power generation systems, backed by the best parts availability, most diverse rental fleet, and an expert service team working together to enable our customers’ highest level of success.

Our ongoing investment in people, infrastructure, technology, and tooling continues to position us as one of Caterpillar’s leading dealers in North America and throughout the world.

“To have Carter Machinery and Cat® with us every step of the way this year has been incredible,” said Kitzmiller. “Their support means so much to me and everyone at A.L.L. Construction Racing.

“We’re proud to carry their colors for the 20th straight race, and I’d love nothing more than to deliver them another strong finish to close out the season.”

In addition to Carter Machinery, A.L.L. Construction Inc., Grant County Mulch, A&J Excavating, Cobra Mining, Champion Power Equipment and Volt Battery Technology will all serve as associate marketing partners for the 55th ARCA national race hosted at Toledo Speedway.

Entering Toledo, Kitzmiller, 52, sits third in the ARCA Menards Series championship standings and trails 87 points behind second-place Lavar Scott and 172 points behind leader Brenden Queen, with one race remaining.

The A.L.L. Construction Racing team also holds a solid seventh place in the championship owner standings.

Since 2020, Kitzmiller has made 46 ARCA Menards Series starts, earning two top-five and 21 top-10 finishes, including a career-best third-place finish at Daytona International Speedway in February 2025.

The Owens Corning 200 (200 laps | 100 miles) marks the 20th race of 20 on the 2025 ARCA Menards Series schedule. On Saturday, October 4, teams will hit the track for a forty-five-minute practice session from 11:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. General Tire Pole qualifying will follow at 1:00 p.m., with the green flag expected to wave shortly after 4:00 p.m. The race will be televised live on FOX Sports 2 (FS2) and the FOX Sports App, while ARCARacing.com will provide live timing and scoring throughout the day’s activities. All times are local (ET).

ARCA Menards Series at Toledo Speedway: Owens Corning 200 Pre-race Notes, Stats Update, and Entry List

By
Official Release
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THE RACE: Owens Corning 200 Presented by CGS Imaging
THE PLACE: Toledo Speedway, Toledo, Ohio
THE DATE: Saturday, October 4, 2025
THE TIME: 4 pm ET
TV: FS2, Live

  • Twenty-five drivers and teams are entered for the ARCA Menards Series Owens Corning 200 Presented by CGS Imaging, the 2025 season finale at Toledo Speedway; it’s the largest entry list for an ARCA Menards Series race at Toledo Speedway since 27 were entered in 2017.
  • When he takes to the track for practice, Brenden Queen (No. 28 BestRepair.net Chevrolet) will earn the final 50-point bonus of the season, this one given to each driver that participates in the last of the four five-race segments of the season. Once he and second-place Lavar Scott (No. 6 Max Siegel Inc. Chevrolet) receive those bonus points, he will lock up the 2025 ARCA Menards Series championship with an insurmountable lead. He leads by 85 points following the Reese’s 150 at Kansas Speedway, with a maximum 99 points available including the five-race segment bonus points.
  • Pinnacle Racing Group team owner Mark Webb will lock up the 2025 ARCA Menards Series Owners Championship if Queen finishes 16th or better, regardless of what the Joe Gibbs Racing team No. 18 team does. JGR has a chance to steal the title in the final race, but will need to finish among the top five and have the No. 28 team finish outside the top 20.
  • When she takes the green flag, Isabella Robusto (No. 55 Mobil 1 Toyota) will lock up the Bounty Rookie Challenge rookie of the year award. Robusto will follow Hailie Deegan to become the series’ second female rookie of the year; Deegan won top rookie honors in 2020. Robusto has set the single-season record for most top-five finishes by a female driver with 10; she trails only Erin Crocker Evernham, who has 12, for career top-five finishes.
  • Robusto trails Jason Kitzmiller (No. 97 A.L.L. Construction / Carter CAT Chevrolet) by 13 points in the battle for third in the final ARCA Menards Series point standings. Both have a best finish of third in 2025, Kitzmiller at Daytona International Speedway and Robusto at Talladega Superspeedway, both have eight top-five finishes, and both have 13 top-ten finishes.
  • Fifteen-year-old Tristan McKee (No. 82 Gainbridge / Chevrolet Performance Chevrolet) will make his fourth start of the season. McKee became the second-youngest winner in ARCA Menards Series history at 15 years, 6 days of age when he won in his series debut at Watkins Glen International in September.
  • Max Reaves (No. 18 Cook Out Toyota) will make his second appearance at Toledo Speedway in a month’s time in the Owens Corning 200 Presented by CGS Imaging. Reaves, who won the ARCA Menards Series East race at Toledo Speedway’s sister track Flat Rock Speedway in May, finished third in the ASA STARS National Tour Super Late Model Glass City 200 on September 13.
  • Jackson McLerran (No. 95 JSJ Construction / ARYLCO LLC Toyota) will make his third start of the season and his first ever at Toledo Speedway. He will have 2013 Glass City 200 winner Dennis Strickland, who started his racing career at Toledo Speedway in the mid-1980s, as his spotter.
  • The Owens Corning 200 Presented by CGS Imaging will be the 85th ARCA Menards Series race at Toledo Speedway since 1963. Only Salem Speedway, with 111, has hosted more ARCA Menards Series races.
  • Mason Mitchell holds the ARCA Menards Series track qualifying record at Toledo Speedway, set in 2014, at 15.682 seconds / 114.781 miles per hour.
  • Ten-time Toledo Speedway winner Frank Kimmel holds the ARCA Menards Series race record, set in 1998, at 86.400 miles per hour in a 150-lap feature event.
  • The record for most cautions in an ARCA Menards Series race at Toledo Speedway is 18 for a record 114 laps, set in 2008 in a race won by Matt Carter.
  • The record for the fewest cautions in an ARCA Menards Series race at Toledo Speedway is two, set in 1985 in a race won by Ed Hage and matched in 1998 in a race won by Frank Kimmel. The fewest laps run under caution is 13 in 2021 in a race won by Ty Gibbs.
  • The Owens Corning 200 Presented by CGS Imaging will be televised live on FS2 starting at 4 PM ET on Saturday, October 4. Live timing & scoring data will be available on ARCARacing.com; for up-to-the-minute updates please follow @ARCA_Racing on X (formerly known as Twitter).

About ARCA 
The Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA), founded in 1953 by John and Mildred Marcum in Toledo, Ohio, and acquired by NASCAR in April 2018, is the leading grassroots stock car sanctioning body in the United States. Bridging the gap between NASCAR’s top three national touring series and weekly and regional tour racing all across the country, the organization sanctions over 100 races per year in the ARCA Menards Series, ARCA Menards Series East, ARCA Menards Series West, ASA STARS National Tour, ASA CRA Super Series, ASA Midwest Tour, ASA Southern Super Series plus weekly racing at Toledo and Flat Rock Speedways. For more information about ARCA visit www.arcaracing.com, or follow ARCA on Facebook (@ARCARacing) and Twitter (@ARCA_Racing). 

About Menards
A family-owned and run company started in 1958, Menards is recognized as the retail home center leader of the Midwest with 236 stores in 15 states.  Menards is truly a one-stop shop for all of your home improvement needs featuring a full-service lumberyard and everything you need to plan a renovation or build a home, garage, cabin, shed, deck, fence or post frame building.  You’ll find a large selection of lumber, roofing, siding, construction blocks, trusses, doors and windows, plus cabinets, appliances, countertops, flooring, lighting, paint, plumbing supplies and more.  To complete the job, Menards has quality hand tools, power tools, fasteners, electrical tools plus storage options and supplies for everyone from the weekend warrior to the pro!
 
Menards has what you need to complete your outdoor projects and keep your yard in tip-top shape including mowers, trimmers, blowers, pressure washers and more, plus a beautiful garden center stocked with plants, shrubs, trees, landscaping tools, grass seed, fertilizer options, outdoor décor and patio furniture.  Menards also has everyday essentials like health & beauty products, housewares, pet and wildlife supplies, automotive items and even groceries.  And at Christmas, an Enchanted Forest display area with impressive trees, lighting, decorations, ornaments, inflatables and more. 

Menards is known for friendly Customer Service and as the place to “Save Big Money” with low prices every day, and sales too!  For more information, please visit Menards.com to learn about our store locations, offerings and services.

Ford Racing NASCAR – Charlotte ROVAL Playoff Advance

By
Official Release
-

CHARLOTTE ROVAL

Friday, October 3 – NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, 3:30 p.m. ET (FS1)
Saturday, October 4 – NASCAR Xfinity Series, 5 p.m. ET (CW)
Sunday, October 5 – NASCAR Cup Series, 3 p.m. ET (USA)

The NASCAR Cup Series headlines a weekend on the Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL that will see four drivers eliminated as the Round of 12 comes to a close. The NASCAR Xfinity Series will do the same on Saturday while Friday marks the debut event for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series on the road course.

BLANEY AND THE ROVAL

Ryan Blaney won the inaugural ROVAL event at Charlotte Motor Speedway (see below), and he comes into this weekend having posted five top-10 results in seven starts. After finishing ninth or better in the first four races (2018-21), he ended up 10th a year ago. Blaney’s triumph in 2018 still represents the only road course victory of his Cup career.

LOGANO HOPING FOR MORE ROVAL SUCCESS

Joey Logano comes into this weekend’s race eighth in the playoff standings, 13 points above the cut line, so there’s still plenty of work for the defending champion to do in order to advance. The good news for Logano is that he’s recorded six top-10 finishes in seven ROVAL starts while also registering one pole. His streak of three straight top-five runs came to an end last weekend in Kansas, but he still showed speed despite having to start from the back as he registered points in the first two stages before getting collected in a multi-car accident with 51 laps to go that contributed to a 21st-place finish.

NON-PLAYOFF DRIVERS STILL FIGHTING

The NASCAR Cup Series has had five playoff races so far and while much of the attention has been focused on those competing for the championship, the rest of the field has continued to battle. Ford has had at least one non-playoff driver finish in the top 10 of every event. Chris Buescher has done it twice (10th at Darlington and ninth at Gateway) as has his teammate and boss, Brad Keselowski (second at Bristol and eighth at Kansas). Zane Smith finished third at Bristol while Josh Berry, who was eliminated in the Round of 16, finished runner-up in the Round of 12 opener at New Hampshire.

FORD DRIVERS IN THE CUP SERIES PLAYOFFS

DRIVER – POINTS POSITION

Ryan Blaney – New Hampshire Winner (Clinched)
Joey Logano – 8th (+13 above the cut line)
Austin Cindric – 12th (-48 below the cut line)

Note: Top 8 advance after Charlotte

FORD PLAYOFF DRIVERS AT THE ROVAL

Joey Logano: 7 starts, 0 wins, 2 top-5, 6 top-10
Ryan Blaney: 7 starts, 1 wins, 2 top-5, 5 top-10
Austin Cindric: 3 starts, 0 wins, 1 top-5, 1 top-10

RYAN BLANEY: WHAT’S THE MINDSET FOR THE REST OF THIS ROUND? “I said after New Hampshire that it doesn’t change our outlook. I’m a big believer in keeping your head down and keeping the momentum that you have. You don’t want to go kick your feet up for two weeks just because you’re in the next round. You have to stay in that competitive mode and your mentality of racing and go run hard every single week. I think the only thing that changes is maybe you can look at Vegas a little bit earlier than what you would and that’s really the only difference in this team’s mentality with the spot we’re in.”

JOEY LOGANO: ARE YOU PRO ROVAL THIS TIME OF YEAR, OR WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE THE OVAL RETURN? “If you’re asking me would I rather run a road course or an oval, I would pick an oval. It’s a road course. There are lefts and rights and there happens to be banking on two of the turns. Personally, I’m too close to the fire to answer that. It’s kind of what fans think is best is probably gonna be what we do anyways.”

THE ROVAL PRESENTS A CHALLENGE IN THAT IT’S HARD TO SCORE STAGE POINTS AND HAVE A GOOD RACE FINISH. DO YOU AGREE? “Yeah, depending on how the cautions fall more than likely you’re probably gonna have to pick one or the other, so it’s what are you trying to accomplish?”

AUSTIN CINDRIC: WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED THAT SHOULD HELP YOU AT THE ROVAL? “I think the big thing on the topic of tires is bringing the road course tire that we’ve had all year to the Charlotte road course. It’s been a bit of a challenge for us to wrap our heads around that tire change and progressively, slowly we’ve gotten better at that, so I think that’s the big thing – applying that for the ROVAL.”

BLANEY CAPTURES INAUGURAL CUP ROVAL RACE

The debut of the Charlotte ROVAL in 2018 didn’t disappoint as Jimmie Johnson and Martin Truex Jr. wrecked each other in the final chicane heading to the checkered flag, allowing Ryan Blaney to sneak past both and win the inaugural Bank of America ROVAL 400. Blaney put himself in position to win thanks to some sound strategy that enabled him to stretch his fuel mileage and win Stage 2. He found himself in 25th place with 38 laps to go after a trip to pit road, but cycled his way back up to the front before being in the right place at the right time. That capped a weekend in which Ford won the pole and race in the NASCAR Xfinity and NASCAR Cup Series. In seven career ROVAL starts, Blaney has five top 10 and two top 5 finishes.

CREED COMING ON STRONG

As the Charlotte ROVAL prepares to conduct an elimination race for the NASCAR Xfinity Series on Saturday, one driver to keep an eye on is Sheldon Creed, who is coming off his second straight top-five finish. Creed’s fifth-place run last weekend at Kansas Speedway topped all Ford drivers, but continued a resurgence that started with a runner-up result at Bristol Motor Speedway two weeks ago. Those efforts have helped him move 12 points above the cut line to sixth place in the standings.

FORD DRIVERS IN THE XFINITY PLAYOFFS

DRIVER – POINTS POSITION

Sam Mayer – 4th (+43 above the cut line)
Sheldon Creed – 6th (+12)
Harrison Burton – 11th (-8 below the cut line)

Note: Top 8 advance after Charlotte

FORD PLAYOFF DRIVERS AT THE ROVAL

Sam Mayer: 4 starts, 2 wins, 2 top-10, 3 top-10
Sheldon Creed: 3 starts, 0 wins, 0 top-5, 1 top-10
Harrison Burton: 3 starts, 0 wins, 0 top-5, 0 top-10

RIGGS AND MAJESKI READY FOR ROUND OF 8 OPENER

Friday will not only be the first race in the Round of 8, it will also mark the first time the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series competes on the Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL. Ford has two drivers still in contention for the title with Ty Majeski, bidding for a second straight series championship, and Layne Riggs, who is looking for his first. Riggs has won three times in the last eight events (Pocono, Indianapolis, and Bristol), but is still looking for his first career triumph on a road course while Majeski remains in search of his first win in 2025.

FORD DRIVERS IN THE NCTS PLAYOFFS

DRIVER – POINTS POSITION

Layne Riggs – 2nd (+22 above the cut line)
Ty Majeski – 4th (+0)

Note: Top 4 advance after Martinsville

FORD’S NASCAR CUP SERIES WINNERS

ON THE ROVAL

2018 – Ryan Blaney

FORD’S NASCAR XFINITY SERIES WINNERS

ON THE ROVAL

2018 – Chase Briscoe

The Ford Mustang, celebrating its 61st anniversary in 2025, is the world’s best selling sports car. It is also one of the planet’s most popular race cars. With Mustang-based race cars competing in international sports car competition (GT3 and GT4), NASCAR, NHRA, Formula Drift, in Australian Supercars, at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb and in its own bespoke one-make series – Mustang Cup and Mustang Challenge – the platform has an unprecedented global reach. This weekend, 42 Mustang race cars are scheduled to race across all disciplines. Learn more at FordPerformance.com.

RFK Advance | ROVAL

By
Official Release
-

Charlotte ROVAL Event Info:
Date: Sunday, Oct. 6
Time: 3 p.m. ET
Series: NASCAR Cup Series (NCS)
Location: Concord, North Carolina
Format: 109 Laps, 248.52 Miles, Stages: 25-50-109
TV: USA
Radio: PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Channel 90)

Weekend Schedule:
Saturday: 2 p.m. ET, Cup Practice (TruTV, PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
Saturday: 3:10 p.m. ET, Cup Qualifying (TruTV, PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
Sunday: 3 p.m. ET, Cup Race (USA, PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)

Pace Laps:

  • The ROVAL at Charlotte Motor Speedway hosts the final race in the Round of 12 in the NASCAR Playoffs this weekend, in what is the final road course event of the 2025 season.
  • Chris Buescher has the fifth highest average starting position (12.3) in the Cup Series this season, anchored by 11 starts inside the top 10.
  • Buescher is also one of eight drivers with 15+ top-10 results this season, and has an average finish of 13.8 which is the sixth highest among Cup drivers.
  • Keselowski has posted six top-10 finishes over his last 11 races, including four in the top five, with an average finish of 12.8 dating back to Dover in late July.
  • The No. 6 team has led laps in three of his previous four starts, and is one of 13 drivers to lead 200+ laps this season.
  • Ryan Preece has set Cup Series career highs this season in top-fives (3) and top-10s (10), and has finished inside the top-20 in 14 of his last 17 starts.

6 Team Info:
Driver: Brad Keselowski
Crew Chief: Jeremy Bullins
Partner: Castrol

17 Team Info:
Driver: Chris Buescher
Crew Chief: Scott Graves
Partner: Fifth Third

As part of the Fueled by Fifth Third Bank pass through program, Superior Cranes will ride along with Buescher on the decklid this weekend.

  • Industry Leader Since 1989: Superior Cranes, Inc. has been a trusted name in crane rental, rigging, specialized hauling, and heavy hauling for over three decades.
  • Comprehensive Services: They provide a full range of solutions, including crane rentals, rigging, heavy transport, and industrial maintenance support for complex projects with 23.5 hour service.
  • Extensive Regional Presence: Headquartered in Rockingham, NC, the company serves the Southeastern U.S. and beyond, with multiple locations across North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia.
  • Modern, Expanding Fleet: Superior Cranes continually upgrades its fleet with the newest, safest, and most innovative equipment available in the market.
  • Commitment to Safety and Quality: The company emphasizes safety and efficiency on every job, ensuring high standards through rigorous planning and certified operators.

60 Team Info:
Driver: Ryan Preece
Crew Chief: Derrick Finley
Partner: Kroger / Totino’s Ultimate

Keselowski at the ROVAL
Starts: 7
Wins: —
Top-10s: 1
Poles: —

  • Keselowski makes his eighth start on the ROVAL at Charlotte Motor Speedway this weekend. He has a 18.4 average finish with a best finish of fifth in 2019. Last season he finished 23rd.
  • Keselowski led laps in each of the first three events on the ROVAL, and started inside the top five twice (third – 2020, second – 2021).
  • Overall, on road courses in his Cup career, Keselowski has 11 top-10s and a 17.4 average finish.

Buescher at the ROVAL
Starts: 7
Wins: —
Top-10s: 3
Poles: —

  • Buescher makes his eighth start on the ROVAL this weekend. He’s coming off top-10s in three of his last four starts despite a P17 finish last season.
  • In road course racing this season, Buescher has finishes of P7 (COTA), P10 (Mexico City), P18 (Chicago), P16 (Sonoma), and P3 (Watkins Glen).
  • Buescher carries a 18.4 average starting position into the weekend with a career-best P10 qualifying effort in 2018.
  • Overall, on road courses, Buescher 17 top-10s and a 12.7 average finish in his career.

Preece at the ROVAL
Starts: 5
Wins: —
Top-10s: —
Poles: —

  • Preece makes his sixth start on the ROVAL this weekend, where he has a best finish of 11th om 2023. Last season he finished 25th.
  • He has three career top-20 finishes at the track, and led eight laps in 2020 accounting for nearly half of his laps led at road courses.
  • Preece carries a 23.0 average starting position into the weekend with a career-best P14 qualifying effort in 2019.
  • Overall, on road courses, Preece two top-10s and a 21.7 average finish in his career.

RFK Historically at the ROVAL
Cup Wins: —

Road Course Racing: Overall, RFK has 275 starts on road courses in the Cup Series with six wins, 95 top-10s and 44 top five finishes. RFK Cup drivers have a 17.3 average finish with 656 laps led.

Last Time Out & Where They Stand
Kansas: Keselowski 8th; Buescher 15th; Preece 26th.

Points Standings (17: 17th, 60: 18th, 6: 19th): Buescher and Preece sit 17th and 18th in points, respectively, while Keselowski moved up a spot to 19th in the standings.

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