Chase Elliott is entering the Charlotte Roval race with a confirmed place in the next round of the NASCAR Cup playoffs but insists his team will maintain full intensity despite their secure standing. Elliott emphasized that his focus remains sharp, aiming to sustain the high level of performance that has carried them through the season.
The Hendrick Motorsports driver, who recently clinched a narrow victory at Kansas Speedway by outperforming Denny Hamlin by just 0.069 seconds, is preparing for Sunday’s Round of 12 elimination event at the Roval with the goal of consistency and determination. His recent success places him as one of the season’s top competitors, with ten top-five finishes and two previous triumphs at Charlotte’s road course.
Elliott’s Focus on Maintaining Competitive Edge Despite Playoff Security
Having secured his playoff position, Elliott outlined his mindset heading into the race. He described how a clear strategy based on performance pace simplifies decision-making during competition.
“Keeps your strategy really simple especially if you are a contender on the day and have good pace. A lot of those questions are just answered on how fast or slow you are, you know, truthfully. So I feel like our intensity is usually pretty high,”
Elliott told reporter Bob Pockrass.
He further elaborated on his team’s approach, underscoring the importance of sticking to their preparation routines regardless of recent wins.
“I feel like we’re always really locked in on what we need to do. I don’t know that the situation really changes that. We still try to show up each week and be really prepared. And I thought we had a good week of prep this week and kind of went about our business like we would have done if we hadn’t won last week. So I think that’s an important thing to keep that cadence and keep your process the same because it’s not like the season’s over,”
Elliott said.
Comparing Track History and Competition Ahead of the Roval
Chase Elliott is among a select group of drivers with multiple wins at the Charlotte Roval, having taken victories there in 2019 and 2020. His Hendrick Motorsports teammate Kyle Larson has secured wins at this course more recently, in 2021 and 2024, while Shane van Gisbergen has been a dominant force on road and street courses throughout the season. Elliott qualified 15th for the upcoming Bank of America Roval 400, with Van Gisbergen registering the second fastest speed behind pole sitter Tyler Reddick.
Challenges of the Charlotte Roval’s Unique Layout
Elliott discussed the distinctive difficulties posed by the Charlotte Roval’s setup, describing it as less fluid compared to other road courses. Unlike tracks such as Watkins Glen, Sonoma, or Circuit of the Americas, which are built with turns that flow naturally into one another, the Roval is a hybrid course inside an oval track, making it feel choppy and uneven to compete on.
“It’s a really choppy road course, and it’s kind of a makeshift road course. … Having a rhythm and a flow is a really important piece of road racing, at least it is for me, and this is one of those places where it just doesn’t really come naturally,” Chase Elliott said, via Speedwaymedia.com.
He explained how the lack of natural rhythm makes it harder to find consistent speed on race days. Some events allow him to strike that balance more successfully, but at others, it proves more elusive. Sunday’s race will begin around 2:05 p.m. Central Time, when Elliott and the other drivers will face these challenges head-on.
The Importance of Sustained Momentum as Playoffs Progress
Despite solidifying his spot in the next playoff round, Elliott’s commitment to pushing hard on the Roval reflects a broader necessity within NASCAR’s intense postseason format. Each elimination race demands continued vigilance, and relying on past successes without adapting and competing at full strength risks losing the advantage they have built.
With Elliott’s previous achievements at the Charlotte road course and his recent strong performances, sustaining this intensity is critical not only for his immediate playoff goals but also for building confidence against rivals like Larson and Van Gisbergen, who have also shown formidable pace on road courses this year.
Chase Elliott’s approach to this race demonstrates his determination to remain a top contender throughout the playoffs, using his experience and preparation to contend in a season that remains fiercely competitive. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if his focus and strategy on this challenging course will propel him deeper into the championship chase.
Chase Elliott, who already has advanced to the next round with the win last week at Kansas, felt he had a good week of prep for the Charlotte road course. pic.twitter.com/VlfXIRFOcG
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) October 5, 2025
