What Will Come Out Of NASCAR's New Roots Focus?

Published: Fri, 10/03/25

Frontstretch Newsletter: Oct. 3, 2025
Volume XIX, Edition CLXXV

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What to Watch: Oct. 3-5

For information on the NASCAR Cup Series Bank of America ROVAL 400k, see the Frontstretch Folio below.

- NASCAR Xfinity Series are pulling into the garage today in Charlotte, but have no on-track activity.

Practice is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. ET Saturday morning with live coverage on The CW App and website. Qualifying will be at 12:40 p.m. ET. Some CW affiliates may choose to air the sessions themselves, but check your local listings to see if your affiliate is doing so.

Coverage of the Drive For The Cure 250k will begin with NASCAR Countdown Live at 4:30 p.m. ET Saturday on The CW. Race coverage will begin at 5 p.m. ET with the green flag around 5:10 p.m. ET.

- NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series teams are on-site in Charlotte today to continue their Round of 8. Practice is going on right now on FOX Sports 2. Qualifying will be at 12:10 p.m. ET.

Coverage of the Ecosave 250k will begin at 3:30 ET this afternoon on FOX Sports 1. The green flag will fly around 3:45 p.m. ET.

- Formula 1 teams are in Singapore this weekend. Friday's on-track activity is already complete.

Free Practice No. 3 will be Saturday morning at 5:25 a.m. ET and will air live on ESPN2. Qualifying will be at 8:55 a.m. ET on ESPN2.

Coverage of the Grand Prix of Singapore is scheduled to begin with Formula 1: Grand Prix Sunday at 6:30 a.m. ET on ESPN. Race coverage will begin at 7:55 a.m. ET with the formation lap at 8 a.m. ET. An F1 Kids simulcast will also air on ESPNU.

- World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series will be at Williams Grove Speedway for the J&S Classics National Open. Action both tonight and tomorrow will stream on DirtVision starting at 6:45 p.m. ET.

- The World of Outlaws Real American Beer Late Model Series will be at Humboldt Speedway tonight for the Humboldt Showdown. Action will begin at 8:15 p.m. ET tonight on DirtVision.

Saturday night will see the series move on to Kansas' 81 Speedway for the Ed Gressel Tribute. Coverage from 81 Speedway will begin at 7 p.m. ET on DirtVision.

FOLLOW THE FRONTSTRETCH THIS WEEKEND THROUGH OUR COLLEAGUES:

CHARLOTTE:

Anthony Damcott (@AnthonyDamcott)

Trenton Worsham (@soundlink_trent)

TOLEDO:

Mark Kristl (@MarkKristl)

Steve Sonderman (@Sondermantime)

TRI-COUNTY:
Chase Folsom (@cfolsom_racing)

Also, don't forget to follow our Twitter page, @Frontstretch as well for updates on Charlotte!

TV Schedule: Here

Have news for Frontstretch? Don't hesitate to let us know; email us at frontstretcheditors@googlegroups.com with a promising lead or tip.

Around the World in Motorsports: Oct. 3

- In Free Practice No. 1 in Singapore, Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso was fastest with a lap at 120.940 mph in the late afternoon heat and humidity. His lap was .150 seconds faster than Ferrari's Charles Leclerc. Red Bull's Max Verstappen was third, then Lewis Hamilton and Oscar Piastri.

There were no red flags during the session, but there were issues with the rear brakes for Alexander Albon. That brought him into the pits with smoke coming from his Williams.

Free Practice No. 2 saw Piastri go fastest with a lap at 121.476 mph. He was .132 seconds faster than Racing Bulls' Isack Hadjar. Verstappen was third, then Alonso and Lando Norris.

During the session, Mercedes' George Russell slid into the tires at turn 16 and dropped part of his front wing on the track afterwards. That resulted in a red flag to pick up the debris.

Later on, Liam Lawson in the second Racing Bulls entry crashed in turn 17 to bring out a second red flag. Before the session resumed, there was contact in the pit lane between Leclerc and Norris. That should never happen.

Frontstretch Video:

Bringing the Heat: Jayski's Dustin Albino "Living My Dream Right Now"

Newsletter Exclusives:

Frontstretch Folio: Bank of America ROVAL 400k
by Phil Allaway

This weekend, the NASCAR Cup Series returns to Charlotte Motor Speedway for their second visit of the season, this time on a newly-revised ROVAL. It's the same length, but quite different. Coverage Sunday begins with Countdown to Green at 2:30 p.m. ET on USA Network. Race coverage is scheduled to start at 3 p.m. ET, while the green flag should fly around 3:05 p.m. ET. Radio coverage will be provided by local PRN radio affiliates and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Channel 90).

Records and facts

Last year's Bank of America ROVAL 400k was dominated by Kyle Larson. He managed to lead 62 of the 109 laps, including the final 33 en route to victory.

Larson won by 1.511 seconds over Christopher Bell. William Byron was third, then Austin Cindric and Chase Elliott.

There have only been seven races on the ROVAL to this point. Elliott and Larson both have two victories each.

Track Facts

Track / Race Length: 2.28-mile infield road course ("ROVAL"), 109 laps (248.52 miles, 399.954 kilometers)
Banking: 0-24 degrees

Turns: 17

Grandstand Seating: 89,000

Pit Road Speed: 45 mph
Pace Car Speed: 55 mph
Opened: 1960

Website: http://www.charlottemotorspeedway.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/charlottemotorspeedway

Twitter: http://twitter.com/CLTMotorSpdwy

Pre-Race Schedule:

Practice: Saturday, Oct. 4, 2 - 2:55 p.m. ET on TruTV/HBO Max

Qualifying: Saturday, Oct. 4 at 3:10 p.m. ET on TruTV/HBO Max

Say What?!

"The key to running well at the ROVAL is just staying out of trouble and trying to keep your momentum rolling all the way around the racetrack. There are some big braking zones where you can really attack and get a lot of slowing down done in a quick period of time but the infield section has such little grip and is so bumpy that you’re just trying to control the slip and not go too fast and crash. It’s about tiptoeing as much as you can with carrying the right amount of roll speed." - Kyle Busch

"I really enjoy the Charlotte ROVAL. We’ve had a lot of success there, just haven’t been able to seal the deal though, unfortunately. A couple years ago, we really focused on improving our road course package and think that has shown. There is some unpredictability this weekend with strategy and the chaos that can ensue in the final laps but I think we’re in a pretty good spot. Hopefully we have another solid weekend and can get the job done with a win." - William Byron

"I think the big thing on the topic of tires is bringing the road course tire that we’ve had all year to the Charlotte road course. It’s been a bit of a challenge for us to wrap our heads around that tire change and progressively, slowly we’ve gotten better at that, so I think that’s the big thing – applying that for the ROVAL." - Austin Cindric

Phil Allaway is the Frontstretch newsletter manager. He can be reached at phil.allaway@frontstretch.com. Photo is courtesy of Nigel Kinrade Photography.

Today at Frontstretch:

Dropping the Hammer: Remembering the Night Matt Kenseth Lost It

by Daniel McFadin

Friday Faceoff: Is Hendrick Motorsports, Joe Gibbs Racing or Team Penske Best Positioned to Win the Cup Title?

by the Frontstretch Staff

4 Burning Questions: Should NASCAR Try a ROVAL Cup Series Night Race?

by Tanner Marlar

Fire on Fridays: Is NASCAR Really About to Go Back to Its Roots?

by Michael Massie

NASCAR 101: Explaining Carson Hocevar’s $50,000 Kansas Fine

by Samuel Stubbs

NASCAR TV Schedule This Weekend: Charlotte ROVAL, Oct. 3 – 5

by Phil Allaway

Bringing the Heat: Jayski’s Dustin Albino ‘Living My Dream Right Now’

with Dustin Albino, Caleb Barnes and Trey Lyle

Tomorrow at Frontstretch.com:

We'll have recaps and breakdowns of all the action from Charlotte, Singapore and Toledo.

Talk Back!

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