Carson Hocevar and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. expressed relief after learning that NASCAR will remove the Charlotte Roval from the playoff schedule, replacing it with the traditional oval layout. This change marks a significant alteration to the fall playoff race, which had been hosted at the Roval since its introduction in 2018, despite drivers’ known frustrations with road courses.
The Charlotte Roval has long been a source of intense competition and dramatic moments, including last year’s famous incident when Ross Chastain spun trying to pass Denny Hamlin in the final chicane. Chastain then reversed his car to secure a finish ahead of playoff rival Joey Logano, who narrowly edged him out in one of the most unusual playoff conclusions.
Reactions from Drivers on Returning to the Oval
NASCAR reporter Jordan Bianchi confirmed the switch back to the oval configuration for this season’s playoff race:
“NEWS: Charlotte NASCAR playoff race to shift off the Roval and will return to the oval beginning this season, sources tell @TheAthletic”
Carson Hocevar, driving for Spire Motorsports, responded with a succinct “W,” reflecting his approval of the change. Stenhouse, however, tempered the excitement with a warning:
“Don’t be getting our hopes up”
The tension between Hocevar and Stenhouse dates back to last season when Hocevar collided with Stenhouse twice—once at Nashville and again during races in Mexico. Their ongoing clashes led to heated exchanges, including threats from Stenhouse. Hocevar has since acknowledged fault in some incidents but continues to face rivalry pressures.
Tensions with Zane Smith Highlight Ongoing Driver Rivalries
Besides Stenhouse, Hocevar’s rivalry with Zane Smith has also generated friction. At Iowa Speedway last year, Hocevar’s contact with Smith caused a crash, resulting in Smith finishing 31st while Hocevar secured a strong top-10 finish. In an interview on Corey LaJoie’s Stacking Pennies podcast, Smith addressed the situation:
“No, I didn’t talk to him. And it’s just, you’re not gonna get anything from it. Like, I don’t really know how else you can explain that. I mean, yeah, you want to go up to him and punch him in the face, but that’s 75 grand, and that’s not very cool, and I really don’t think that would do anything,”
“Yeah. So ultimately, what it’s came down to me is like, I just, I treat him as if, how he would treat me. And it’s just how it goes until that changes, I’m not gonna change,”
Later, at Watkins Glen, Hocevar yielded to Smith without contest as a gesture of reconciliation for the Iowa incident, indicating some movement toward easing their rivalry on the track.
Implications of the Charlotte Roval’s Removal
The elimination of the Charlotte Roval from the playoff calendar shifts dynamics for drivers accustomed to the road course’s challenges, signaling a renewed focus on oval racing. For competitors like Hocevar and Stenhouse, this change may reduce the tension and incidents that the road course often sparked.
As NASCAR returns to the oval format at Charlotte, the altered playoff setup could influence strategies, driver matchups, and overall competition intensity for the remainder of the season. Fans and teams alike will watch closely to see how these shifts affect the championship battle moving forward.
NEWS: Charlotte NASCAR playoff race to shift off the Roval and will return to the oval beginning this season, sources tell @TheAthletic. https://t.co/MtkGDipxxz
— Jordan Bianchi (@Jordan_Bianchi) January 26, 2026
W
— Carson Hocevar (@CarsonHocevar) January 26, 2026
Don’t be getting our hopes up
— Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (@StenhouseJr) January 26, 2026
