Kyle Larson emerges from his car after a productive qualifying session ahead of Sunday’s Bank of America ROVAL 400 at the Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL. (Photo: Jennie Mae Lingle | The Podium Finish)
CONCORD, N.C. — Kyle Larson’s path to the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs Round of 8 is clearer than last year’s stressful experience in the Bank of America ROVAL 400 at the Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL.
While Larson posted the eighth fastest time in last year’s practice session, he wrecked his No. 5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, prompting his team to prepare a backup car at the nearby Hendrick Motorsports shop. Starting 36th, Larson tallied six stage points and placed 13th, garnering enough points to advance to the Round of 8.
This weekend resembled more of the same from a speed stand point in Saturday’s two practice sessions. Posting the eighth and ninth fastest times respectively in the first and second practices, Larson was the second quickest in a 10-lap average run in the first session.
Even with the slight configuration with Turns 6 and 7 of the Charlotte ROVAL, Larson took to the 2.32-mile, 17-turn road course with speed and confidence. Making the final qualifying round with the second fastest time in Group B’s session, Larson logged the sixth fastest time in the final round.
All the preparation and focus put forth into the ROVAL paid dividends for the 2021 Cup champion particularly with a set of corners that may become conducive for dive bombing in the latter parts of each stage. Prior to taking to the track on Saturday afternoon, Larson reflected on the revisions to the Charlotte ROVAL and overall Playoff picture in this critical Round of 12 cutoff race.
Kyle Larson takes to the 2.32-mile Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL ahead of Sunday’s Bank of America ROVAL 400. (Photo: Wayne Riegle | The Podium Finish)
“I was able to turn some laps ROVAL in the simulator last week,” Larson said in a Team Chevy press release. “The changes to the track create another passing zone but could also create chaos if drivers make late moves there.
“With our finish at Talladega, we’re in a much better points position entering this race than years past, but we still have to execute and put together a solid race this weekend.”
So far, Turns 6 and 7 have been key passing opportunities as seen in Saturday’s Drive for the Cure 250, the Round of 12 cutoff race for the NASCAR XFINTY Series Playoffs.
Shane van Gisbergen, Parker Kligerman and Sam Mayer capitalized in this tight hairpin, braking late into the corners. In Mayer’s case, he used a crossover pass on Kligerman for the decisive winning move in NASCAR Overtime.
Unlike last year’s Bank of America ROVAL 400, Larson is not in a precarious, stressful spot. With a comfortable margin over ninth place Joey Logano, Larson’s focus is on tallying enough stage points where he could race aggressively and pursue his second win in this final road course race of 2024.
Kyle Larson can breathe a bit easier at the Charlotte ROVAL after surviving Talladega with a fourth place finish. (Photo: Wayne Riegle | The Podium Finish)
“It’s cool to finally go into the Charlotte ROVAL with a 52-point gap,” Larson said after placing fourth in last Sunday’s YellaWood 500 at Talladega. “That race is so stressful. It’s way more stressful to me than Talladega Superspeedway, so glad to not have to worry about it as much.”
When the green flag waves shortly after 2:38 p.m. ET (NBC, Performance Racing Network or SiriusXM NASCAR Radio 90), Larson may have his trepidations with the unique track surface and tendencies for the cars to be on the rugged edge of control.
Then again, Larson might be one of the few drivers who may be pleased with the revised Turns 6 and 7 and pursue his sixth win of the year and sixth career road course victory.
“I think the ROVAL is intimidating to me in general,” he shared. “We’ve won there, but in the Next Gen era, I don’t have a good feel for it. It’s really bumpy and I just feel super on edge. I’ve crashed there almost every time I’ve been there. I’ve been fast but we’ve crashed.
“The last two times I’ve crashed there, it’s been in that section, so now we’re getting rid of that section, so maybe that’s good for me. We’ll be going faster in the early part of the section. If your car is not handling just right, it could be a little edgy, I would think.”
