CONCORD, N.C. - Road course racing returns this weekend with the NASCAR Cup Series main event at Charlotte Motor Speedway's ROVAL. Sunday's race will also trim the playoff field from 12 drivers to eight.
RELATED: Hendrick Motorsports' ROVAL success
Hendrick Motorsports has won three of the six races since the ROVAL's introduction to the schedule in 2018. Chase Elliott is the only repeat winner as he took victories in 2019 and 2020 while Kyle Larson was victorious in 2021.
Where is NASCAR this weekend?
The Cup Series will race at the ROVAL at 2 p.m. ET.
NASCAR on TV this week
Saturday, October 12
12:30 p.m. ET: Practice - USA Network
2 p.m. ET: Qualifying - USA Network
Similar to Watkins Glen International's race weekend, teams will have two 20-minute practice sessions on Saturday.
Elliott will be the lone driver from Rick Hendrick's team in Group A while Larson, William Byron and Alex Bowman will all be in Group B.
Sunday, October 13
2 p.m. ET: Cup Series main event - NBC
STAGES
STAGE 1: LAP 20
STAGE 2: LAP 40
END OF RACE: LAP 67
RELATED: Hendrick Fall Festival set for ROVAL weekend
NASCAR playoff standings Round of 12
| Driver | Wins this round | Margin to elimination |
| 1. William Byron | 0 | ADV |
| 2. Christopher Bell | 0 | +57 |
| 3. Kyle Larson | 0 | +52 |
| 4. Denny Hamlin | 0 | +30 |
| 5. Alex Bowman | 0 | +26 |
| 6. Ryan Blaney | 0 | +25 |
| 7. Tyler Reddick | 0 | +14 |
| 8. Chase Elliott | 0 | +13 |
| ---------------- | --- | --- |
| 9. Joey Logano | 0 | -13 |
| 10. Daniel Suarez | 0 | -20 |
| 11. Austin Cindric | 0 | -29 |
| 12. Chase Briscoe | 0 | -32 |
Will the NASCAR race be on the radio?
Yes, listeners can find the race on PRN Radio and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Channel 90).
Where can I stream NASCAR online?
Yes. Download the NBC Sports App for online coverage. Fans can also keep up with the action on X by following @TeamHendrick.
ROVAL driver averages, statistics for Hendrick Motorsports drivers
Data provided by Racing Insights
Larson, No. 5 team
Entering this weekend, Larson has earned 12 top-five finishes, the most of any Cup Series driver. He's also been victorious at a road course already this year, winning at Sonoma Raceway in June. He owns a 52-point cushion entering the ROVAL where he will aim to win for the second time and advance into the Round of 8. Sixteen points would punch his ticket no matter the outcome of the other competitors.
Elliott, No. 9 team
After getting caught up in a late-race incident at Talladega Superspeedway, Elliott enters one of his best statical tracks this weekend. With a pair of victories to his name, Elliott is the winningest driver at the ROVAL and his seven top-fives on road courses in the Next Gen car tie him with Tyler Reddick for the most in the Cup Series. Sitting 13 markers above the cutline, the team will look to score points early and earn a spot into the next round.
Byron, No. 24 team
In 2023, Byron fell just short of victory at the ROVAL, narrowly missing out on catching AJ Allmendinger for the race victory. As for the playoffs, thanks in part to a pair of huge points days at Kansas Speedway and Talladega, Byron has already locked his team into the Round of 8. Sunday will serve as another chance to chase playoff points and a trophy for the Charlotte, North Carolina native.
Bowman, No. 48 team
Bowman's ROVAL results are among the best in the sport, though he has not won at the 17-turn venue yet. The winner of the Chicago Street Race has an average finish of 6.4 (Cup Series best) and five top-10 results (tied for the best). Bowman will aim to back up these performances with another solid run to keep his championship hopes alive. Sitting 26 points above the cutline, another typical Bowman race at the ROVAL should secure a spot in the Round of 8.
Hendrick Motorsports
With the exception of 2022, Hendrick Motorsports has had at least one driver inside the top five in each of the six races. Statistically, the team leads or is tied for the lead in wins (three), poles (one), top-five results (6), top-10 results (15), laps led (199), and stage wins (three). But bigger than the ROVAL is the playoff picture. With solid runs, all four drivers can keep their championship hopes alive heading into the Round of 8.
Don't miss the Cup Series main event from Charlotte at 2 p.m. ET on NBC, MRN Radio and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Channel 90).