CONCORD, N.C. – The second half of the Cup playoffs begins today at the Charlotte Roval, with four drivers eliminated.
Here's a look at the key storylines in today's race (2 p.m. ET on NBC).
1. Elimination Sunday
Which four drivers will be eliminated? The final transfer spot is Chase Elliott, a two-time Roval team winner.
Two-time Cup champion Joey Logano (-13 points), Daniel Suarez (-20), Austin Cindric (-29) and Chase Briscoe (-32) are all below the cutoff line.
“We just have to attack,” said Logano, who starts fourth. “I don't think our attitude will change.”
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Saurez, who starts 13th, said extra effort was put into this event.
“I have been preparing for this race for almost two weeks with my team,” he said.
Suarez said he was in the simulator for four days this week.
“We worked really hard on this race track, trying to get used to it, learning different styles and what styles would work,” he said. “…So hopefully all of these things will lead us in the right direction. We'll find out. Maybe we'll have a rocket ship, or maybe we'll have to turn everything around.
2. Rovalowski chaos
The changes to the track were intended to increase passing zones… and potential chaos.
A longer straight was created on the infield between turns 5 and 6. This leads to the new Turn 7, which is a hairpin.
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Changes to the Charlotte Roval could add to the confusion in the playoffs.
It was late in the race that Sam Mayer made the winning move on Parker Kligerman in overtime of Saturday's Xfinity race. Shane van Gisbergen, who starts on pole today, used a hairpin to pass multiple drivers in the Xfinity race.
The chicane extending at the front has been tightened, creating a sharper turn that can lead to more contact shortly before the start/finish line.
Some Cup drivers complained that the curbs on this section of the track were irritating. Martin Truex Jr. he said, “I feel like you have a concussion every lap.”
Three former NASCAR Cup champions recall how annoying it is to have the Roval's front chicane stretched
Said Martin Truex Jr.: “I feel like you have a concussion every lap.”
3. Non-playoff drivers
Both races in this round were won by non-playoff drivers: Ross Chastain in Kansas and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. last weekend at Talladega Raceway.
Non-playoff drivers have won three of five playoff races this season (Chris Buescher won at Watkins Glen).
2024 NASCAR Charlotte Roval Cup starting lineup: Shane van Gisbergen finishes on pole position
The New Zealand native claimed his first pole position in his 12th start after Saturday's first Xfinity qualifying.
Two of the top three qualifiers for today's race are non-playoff drivers: Shane van Gisbergen, who is in pole position, and AJ Allmendinger, who starts third.
Kyle Busch, who is trying to win a Cup race for a record-breaking 20th consecutive season, has finished in the top five in each of the last three races at the Roval. Starts from 11th place.
4. Damaged Vehicle Policy
After confusion over Josh Berry leaving for Kansas due to DVP and towing some cars from the crash site at Talladega, NASCAR met with crew chiefs this week to clarify the policy.
If a car has one or more flat tires and the damage can be repaired, it will be towed to the team's pit box – as was the case with some cars at Talladega.
If a car clearly cannot be repaired in NASCAR, the car will be repaired.
If a car has four tires intact but cannot make pit road – as was the case with Ryan Blaney at Watkins Glen – the car is ready to race.
Good news and bad news for NASCAR Cup teams ahead of the Charlotte Roval playoff race
William Byron is the only driver to have secured a place in the next round ahead of Sunday's qualifying race.
