The Charlotte Roval Is Being Redesigned For The NASCAR Playoffs
Charlotte Motor Speedway is redesigning its infield “Roval” track for this year’s NASCAR Playoffs.
The 17-turn circuit will have two major changes made in an effort to improve the racing.
Marcus Smith, CEO of track owner Speedway Motorsports, said the NASCAR drivers have figured out the track over the years and adjusted their driving style, so the hope is that the updates will create more passing opportunities.
“They made some tweaks to their driving style, they made some tweaks to the way that they handle the chicane, particularly on the front stretch, and so we wanted to make some tweaks,” Smith said.
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“One of the things that I learned is how important the heavy braking zones are for passing.”
The biggest change is an extension of the straight between turns 5 and 6 and a sharper turn 7 hairpin that leads the cars back onto the oval section.
The turn 16 entry to the chicane just before the start finish line will feature a much sharper curve than previously. Despite the redesign, the track will retain its 2.28-mile length.
The Bank of America Roval 400 is scheduled for Oct. 13 and will be the cutoff race for the Playoffs Round of 12.
The event will use NASCAR’s road course package, which includes windshield wipers and rain tires.
This year’s Coca-Cola 600 on the speedway’s oval was shortened from a scheduled 400 laps to 249 laps when a heavy rain storm hit the track late on Sunday. Christopher Bell was leading when the race was suspended and declared the winner.
The shortened race prevented Kyle Larson from completing The Double, as he arrived from Indianapolis just as the weather caution began and was unable to take over the No. 5 car from fill-in driver Justin Allgaier, who ended up earning a 13th place finish.
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