The ROVAL returns to Charlotte Motor Speedway this weekend with three days of racing, entertainment and a NASCAR playoff showdown Sunday.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Bank of America ROVAL 400 returns to Charlotte Motor Speedway this Sunday, bringing one of the most unpredictable and exciting events on the NASCAR Cup Series calendar.
The race, which will be in its eighth year, combines part of the speedway’s traditional oval with a road course configuration, creating a 2.28-mile track with 17 turns that challenge drivers throughout the NASCAR playoffs.
“It is unlike anything else the drivers do all year long, which is a unique challenge, and when you get them out of their comfort zone, you often create some great memories for fans because it creates some exciting racing,” Jonathan Coleman, director of public relations at Charlotte Motor Speedway, said.Â
The speedway, built in 1960 as an oval track, introduced the ROVAL configuration in 2018. The track is about three-quarters of a mile longer than the traditional oval.
Last year, the speedway modified turn seven, which sits in front of the grandstands, into a tight hairpin corner that creates opportunities for drivers to push competitors out of the way or steal track positions.
Kyle Larson is the defending champion and a two-time ROVAL winner. He and teammate Chase Elliott are expected to be popular picks heading into the weekend. Both drivers remain in the championship hunt. Sunday’s race is the final event in the Round of 12, as the championship field will be cut to eight drivers after the ROVAL.Â
The weekend’s events begin Friday with the Craftsman Truck series racing on the ROVAL for the first time. Drivers will have about 20 minutes of practice and qualifying before racing without prior testing on the track configuration.
Friday night will feature Joe Gibbs Racing Fanfest, including driver autograph sessions, a concert with Tim Dugger and a hauler parade featuring 53-foot tractor trailers carrying race cars through the fan zone with NASCAR Hall of Famers and special guests.
Saturday’s schedule includes the Xfinity Series Blue Cross NC 250. Blue Cross of North Carolina has sponsored the Xfinity series race for several years, and the speedway paints the wall pink as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month begins.
For the fourth consecutive year, the speedway will hold its Windows for Hope program in partnership with NASCAR driver Erik Jones and his foundation. Jones’ mother is a breast cancer survivor.
Every Cup Series driver will race Sunday with a pink window net. The drivers will autograph the nets after the race, and they will be auctioned to raise money for Project Pink, a local organization through Atrium Health and the Levine Cancer Center that helps breast cancer patients through survivorship with support, encouragement and education about early detection.
Sunday’s pre-race festivities will include a concert with country music star Ernest and a fan zone with partner activations, driver appearances and merchandise opportunities.
The speedway expects more than 100,000 fans throughout the weekend, with visitors from 49 states and 11 foreign countries.
Unlike oval track racing, rain does not necessarily halt ROVAL competition. Because speeds are lower on the road course, NASCAR uses wet-weather tires that allow racing to continue in certain conditions.
The winner will receive a trophy featuring a design nodding to Charlotte’s skyline with a top resembling the Bank of America building and an interior layout of the course.
Gates open early each day, and fans are encouraged to visit charlottemotorspeedway.com for parking information and schedules.