CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – SEPTEMBER 29: Chase Elliott, driver of the #9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet, wins the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Bank of America ROVAL 400 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on September 29, 2019, in Charlotte, North Carolina. Photo by Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images
For the second straight year, Charlotte Motor Speedway forms into a road course to host the NASCAR Cup Series cut off race in the first round of the playoffs. Last year’s race left many drivers scratching their heads on how to tackle the ‘Roval.’ Many teams returned to the track this year looking to improve.
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – SEPTEMBER 29: William Byron, driver of the #24 UniFirst Chevrolet, during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Bank of America ROVAL 400 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on September 29, 2019, in Charlotte, North Carolina. Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images
CONCORD, N.C. – Compared with Hendrick Motorsports teammate Alex Bowman’s stress-laden run to a berth in the Round of 12 of the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs, pole winner William Byron’s path to advancement was relatively pressure-free.
RICHMOND, VA – APRIL 13: Clint Bowyer, driver of the #14 Haas Automation Ford, leads Kurt Busch, driver of the #1 Global Poker Chevrolet, during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Toyota Owners 400 at Richmond Raceway on April 13, 2019, in Richmond, Virginia. Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The scenario for Sunday’s much-anticipated Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Playoff race at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course provides exactly the intensity NASCAR fans want, but for the Playoff drivers competing to advance to the Round of 12 – the recently added road course also presents high anxiety.
For the first time in 16 years Hendrick Motorsports driver Jimmie Johnson won’t be a part of Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series’ championship Playoff run, however, his three young teammates will. Chase Elliott, 23, paced the championship organization with two wins – at Talladega and Watkins Glen – this season and heads into Sunday’s Playoff opener ranked seventh.
DARLINGTON, SOUTH CAROLINA – AUGUST 31: William Byron, driver of the #24 HendrickAutoguard/CityChvrltThrwbck Chev, climbs into his car prior to qualifying for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Bojangles’ Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway on August 31, 2019, in Darlington, South Carolina. Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images
SPEEDWAY, Ind. – William Byron was a visible mixture of raw excitement and tempered enthusiasm Saturday morning before the opening round of practice for Sunday’s NASCAR Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series regular-season finale at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.