The Bank of America 500 at Charlotte Motor Speedway is set to go off on Saturday, October 8th at 7:00 p.m. ET on NBC. In late May, Martin Truex Jr. had the single most dominating performance in NASCAR history at this venue. He also won two of the three first round races in the Sprint Cup Chase playoffs.
The Bank of America 500 marks the first race in the second round of the Chase. There are now only 12 drivers that are alive after last week’s race at the Monster Mile in Dover, Delaware. One mistake could cost any driver that’s still alive his chance to advance. The pressure ramps up another notch as the hot-rods return to the site of NASCAR’s All-Star event.
Kevin Harvick comes into this race after winning in between Martin Truex Jr.’s two victories in the first round. Harvick has been the most consistent racer at Charlotte Motor Speedway over the past few years.
The #4 Freaky Fast Jimmy John’s driver has finished first or second in five of his last seven starts at this track. Also, the feisty competitor will be starting out front thanks to his qualifying efforts on Friday. Finally, Vegas has the 2014 Sprint Cup champion slated in at 9/2 to win and advance to the round of eight.
Martin Truex Jr. completely dominated the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway in May. The Furniture Row Racing phenom led 392 0f the 400 laps turned en route to the most dominating victory that NASCAR fans have ever witnessed.
Martin Truex Jr. will be starting out of the seventh spot from his qualifying efforts on Friday. Odds-makers have him as the favorite to win at Charlotte again. Currently, the speedster is at 19/5 to take the checkered flag on Saturday evening.
Joe Gibbs Racing’s Kyle Busch is still looking for his first win at this 1.5 mile oval. Although, the 2015 sprint Cup champion has finished in the top five ten times in his twenty-five starts here.
Kyle Busch did wreck his machine the last time he raced here, but I wouldn’t expect that to be the case on Saturday. Busch will be starting out the fourth spot for the Bank of America 500. Line-setters have him at 7/1 to head to the Winner’s Circle.
Fenway Roush Racing’s Brad Keselowski is another competitor that has fared well here lately. The four-time 2016 winner has finished in the top ten in five of his last six starts at Charlotte. He has won one race here in his career and really brings his best when the chips are on the line.
Brad Keselowski didn’t qualify well here on Friday. That surprises me a bit because his teammate Joey Logano showed significant speed in practice and qualified in the top 10. Either way, Las Vegas still has the veteran racer as a playable 12/1 favorite to drive on to glory in the Bank of America 500.
Keselowski’s teammate Joey Logan put the pedal to the medal at came home victorious in this race last year. He was fast again in the first practice round (11th) and finished in ninth here in May.
Joey Logano led 227 laps in last years race, has led laps in each of his last three starts here and also started in the top three in those three contests. Prognosticators have the controversial driver at 12/1 to find a way to win the Bank of america 500.
The six-time Sprint Cup champion Jimmie Johnson leads all active drivers with seven wins at Charlotte. Finally, he has finished in the top five in almost half of his starts at the 1.5 mile oval.
Johnson and his #48 Lowes Chevrolet only has four top ten finishes in his last eleven starts at this track but Hendrick Motorsports has been fast here this week. He will be starting in the 11th spot when the green flag is waved. Odds-makers have the stud as a 7/1 favorite to win the Bank of America 500.and this team hasn’t been at their best in the second half of this season.
Hendrick Motorsport’s phenom Chase Elliott has impressed his fellow competitors all season long. The youngster found away to advance through the first round of the Chase. Apparently he has carried that speed straight into North Carolina for the Bank of America 500.
Chase Elliott finished eighth here in the spring race and qualified for this one in the third spot. He struggled a bit in practice, but appears that the #24 team has worked out the kinks. Las Vegas has the rookie as a 10/1 favorite to capture his first ever Sprint Cup victory on Saturday.
