Shane van Gisbergen is well-versed in road course racing, but he identifies the Charlotte Roval as a challenge unlike any other, due primarily to its distinctive curbs. Ahead of Sunday’s Round of 12 cutoff race at the 2.28-mile hybrid track, the Trackhouse Racing driver singled out these curbs as the key feature setting the Roval apart from other road courses on the 2025 NASCAR Cup schedule.
The Charlotte Roval serves as the final battleground before the Round of 8 in the playoffs, with 10 drivers competing for six available positions. Among the drivers below the elimination line are Ross Chastain, Bubba Wallace, Tyler Reddick, and Austin Cindric, all facing a do-or-die race. This unique layout combines traditional oval banking with 17 tight, technical corners, concluding the season’s six-race road and street circuit series.
Van Gisbergen Explains Why the Curbs Define the Roval Experience
When questioned about how the Roval differs from other road courses this year, van Gisbergen provided insights during a pre-race press conference:
“I don’t think it does. It’s got similar parts of everywhere to tracks we’ve had. I think it’s a pretty good combination of slow and high-speed corners. Probably the only thing here is the curbs. You got to have good recovery over the curbs and how quick the car settles down. That’s probably the unique thing from other tracks.” [4:48 onwards]
The curbs at Charlotte have always been a critical yet risky element. Approaching these with excessive speed causes the car to bounce out wide, while being too cautious sacrifices vital tenths of a second. For playoff drivers, misjudging curb hits can end their race abruptly. The track’s tight chicanes on both straights, the challenging off-camber Turn 6, and the heavy-braking hairpin at Turn 7 create numerous opportunities for mistakes and on-track chaos.
Van Gisbergen also highlighted the difficulty of the oval segment, saying:
“The oval part is only a little dodgy at turn four when you’re at full speed. It’s on the ground and on the rub blocks. It’s pretty loose the first couple of laps till they wear away. But yeah, it’s a pretty cool little track.”
Recent races underscored just how unforgiving the Roval can be. Friday’s Truck race included 12 cautions and a significant multi-truck crash at Turn 1, while Saturday’s Xfinity race extended into overtime and finished under yellow after 13 cautions. Such intense, unpredictable action highlights the high stakes facing van Gisbergen and his competitors on Sunday.
Van Gisbergen’s Dominance and Road Course Mastery in 2025
Despite the Roval’s notorious difficulty, van Gisbergen comes in with remarkable momentum, having won four of the five road races so far this year—Mexico City, Chicago, Sonoma, and Watkins Glen—and placing sixth at COTA. His victories have often been commanding, with particularly large margins at Mexico City and Watkins Glen.
Nonetheless, he modestly downplayed the Roval’s challenge compared to other venues, adding:
“Have you seen Chicago? (laughs) This is nothing compared to that and some other street tracks I’ve been to. So, this is a pretty smooth track,” [5:45 onwards]
Improvements to the Next Gen cars, especially added front downforce tailored for road courses, have enhanced braking stability and allowed better recovery through chicanes, likely benefiting drivers with a steady and tactical style like van Gisbergen.
Qualifying Battle Sets the Stage for an Intense Roval Race
Van Gisbergen’s reputation as NASCAR’s premier road course driver is well established, yet Saturday’s qualifying revealed how competitive the field remains. Tyler Reddick secured pole position with a time of 1:25.939 seconds at a top speed of 95.510 mph, narrowly edging out van Gisbergen, who reached 95.474 mph on his best lap by only 0.032 seconds. Earlier practice sessions also hinted at a tight contest, with former Roval winner AJ Allmendinger topping practice speeds at 94.748 mph, while van Gisbergen’s single-lap pace was mid-pack, though his 10-lap average speed was the highest overall.
Tire degradation has been severe throughout the weekend, forcing teams to adjust pit strategies on the fly. This could favor van Gisbergen, who has a proven talent for maintaining consistent speed over longer runs. Currently, he is vying for a strong finish to improve his standing, with 13th place in the championship still within reach.
The stakes extend beyond van Gisbergen’s individual goals. Trackhouse Racing teammate Ross Chastain sits 13 points below the playoff cutline, making a van Gisbergen victory potentially impactful in limiting rivals’ advancement and helping the team’s overall playoff chances.
What Sunday’s Race Means for the Playoff Landscape
With just six drivers advancing from the 10 playoff contenders on the Charlotte Roval, the pressure to perform is immense. The race’s combination of demanding technical sections and punishing curbs raises the potential for mistakes to end championship hopes instantly. As van Gisbergen and others prepare for this crucial event, their ability to balance aggression with precision will determine who moves forward.
The Roval’s unique challenge tests drivers’ skills in recovery and vehicle control more than any other road course this year, highlighting its pivotal role in shaping the playoff narrative. For van Gisbergen, a win would not only solidify his dominance on road courses but also strategically assist Trackhouse Racing in advancing teammates through NASCAR’s fierce postseason.
