Shane van Gisbergen claimed victory at the Bank of America 400 held on Sunday, October 5, at the Charlotte Motor Speedway’s ROVAL, successfully defending his road course title. His win marked a fifth consecutive road course triumph, just one shy of Jeff Gordon’s Cup Series record of six straight road course wins. This race also served as a critical battleground in the NASCAR Playoffs, particularly affecting the fight to secure a spot in the Round of 8 between Joey Logano and Ross Chastain, with Logano ultimately advancing.
How Pit Strategy Shaped the Final Stage of the Race
The closing 59-lap stage saw van Gisbergen, Christopher Bell, and Kyle Larson emerge as the key contenders for the win. Bell and Larson opted for fresh Goodyear Eagle tires, pitting with 13 and 9 laps remaining respectively. Meanwhile, van Gisbergen stayed out longer on his previous set of tires, fitted with 19 laps to go. Despite facing concerns about the wear on his right-rear tire, van Gisbergen’s overall pace and tire management gave him a comfortable margin, allowing him to cross the finish line 15.16 seconds ahead of Larson and claim the win.
Ross Chastain’s Costly Errors on Pit Road Derail Playoff Hopes
For Ross Chastain and the No. 1 Trackhouse Racing team, two critical mistakes on pit road ended their chances of advancing in the playoffs. After the first stage, during a yellow-flag pit sequence, Chastain misjudged a hard left turn exiting pit road, which dropped him from a projected 15th place restart spot to 30th at the start of stage two. Despite this setback, Chastain remained in contention, gaining 13 stage points compared to Logano’s three, narrowing the points gap.
However, a second blunder proved to be decisive. On his final pit stop, Chastain mistakenly shifted into third gear instead of second exiting the pit box, causing him to speed on pit road and receive a pass-through penalty. This loss of track position forced him to run on older tires for the remainder of the race, which severely hampered his ability to compete.
The whole body of work was not good enough today,
Chastain told reporters post-race.
I singlehandedly took a car out of the Round of 8.
— Ross Chastain, NASCAR driver
Joey Logano’s Pit Stop Gamble Secures Playoff Advancement
In stark contrast to Chastain’s struggles, Joey Logano’s crew chief Paul Wolfe made a decisive call that launched Logano’s comeback bid. With 12 laps left, Wolfe opted to take Logano into the pits for a fresh set of tires, a high-risk move that initially put Logano 10 points behind Chastain. However, as Logano’s new tires began to pay dividends while Chastain’s worn rubber faded, Logano steadily gained ground and ultimately edged ahead by just one point at the race’s conclusion, securing his place in the Round of 8.
In my opinion, there is no one better than Paul [Wolfe] at calling a race,
Logano said regarding the pivotal pit stop.
So, I trust that he makes the right calls. All I got to do is tell them where I’m at and what’s going on in the car. To be able to still be around, that’s all you got to do in these playoffs just stay alive, keep going.
— Joey Logano, NASCAR driver
Anticipating the Next Challenge: The Round of 8 at Las Vegas
The NASCAR Playoffs continue next Sunday, October 12, with the South Point 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, marking the start of the Round of 8. The race broadcast will begin at 5:30 p.m. ET on the USA Network. Unlike the ROVAL, where tire wear dictated a uniform four-tire strategy, Las Vegas is expected to present a different pit strategy dynamic. Teams will likely experiment with fuel-only or two-tire pit stops to gain an advantage in track position, particularly those starting below the cutoff line like Christopher Bell, Chase Elliott, Chase Briscoe, and Joey Logano.
The considerations for tire management and fuel strategy at Las Vegas will add a fresh layer of complexity in the championship battle, intensifying the tension among the remaining drivers vying for a spot in the final round.
