NASCAR Charlotte ROVAL starting grid: Kurt Busch leads field for Bank of America ROVAL 400
By Nick Tylwalk
Kurt Busch figured out his way around the ROVAL faster than anyone else so far, and will start on the pole in the first race at the unique Charlotte road course.
There’s something about the first race at a new track that can’t quite compare to anything else, and since the NASCAR Cup Series hasn’t added one for quite some time, you can’t help but be intrigued by what’s about to happen at the aptly named ROVAL at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Part road course and part oval, the layout is set to serve as the cutoff race for the first round of the 2018 NASCAR Playoffs Sunday afternoon in the Bank of America ROVAL 400.
Fittingly, a playoff driver conquered the layout in qualifying, though just barely. Kurt Busch edged out AJ Allmendinger to claim the pole, placing his Ford ahead of five consecutive Chevys. Hendrick Motorsports teammates Alex Bowman and Chase Elliott will start in Row 2, just ahead of Kyle Larson and Jimmie Johnson.
The Cup Series Big 3 all have some work to do. Martin Truex Jr. and Kyle Busch are side by side in Row 7, while Kevin Harvick will start his day from the 19th position.
Aside from the playoff drivers, some of whom are in a “win to advance” situation, all eyes should be on Allmendinger, who found out this week that he won’t be back for JTG Daugherty Racing in 2019. Already known as a road course specialist, grabbing a win in the first ever race at the ROVAL would be a real feather in his cap as he ponders his plans for 2019.
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Coverage of the Bank of America ROVAL 400 at Charlotte is set to begin at 2:00 p.m. ET on NBC with the green flag expected around 2:04 p.m.
2018 Bank of America ROVAL 400 starting grid at Charlotte Motor Speedway road course
(p) – Driver still in contention in NASCAR Playoffs
- Kurt Busch (p)
- AJ Allmendinger
- Alex Bowman (p)
- Chase Elliott (p)
- Kyle Larson (p)
- Jimmie Johnson (p)
- Clint Bowyer (p)
- Jamie McMurray
- Ryan Blaney (p)
- Chris Buescher
- Daniel Hemric
- Erik Jones (p)
- Martin Truex Jr. (p)
- Kyle Busch (p)
- Joey Logano (p)
- Trevor Bayne
- Daniel Suarez
- Michael McDowell
- Kevin Harvick (p)
- Aric Almirola (p)
- William Byron
- Paul Menard
- Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
- Austin Dillon (p)
- Brad Keselowski (p)
- Ty Dillon
- Denny Hamlin (p)
- Matt DiBenedetto
- Ryan Newman
- David Ragan
- Justin Marks
- Regan Smith
- Cole Whitt
- Bubba Wallace
- Ross Chastain
- JJ Yeley
- Jeffrey Earnhardt
- Landon Cassill
- Stanton Barrett
- Timmy Hill