Kyle Larson Large and In Charge- Dominates Charlotte ROVAL and strengthens P1 ranking
13 October 2024
By Bob Francis, Managing Editor
Go Full Throttle Racing News
CONCORD, NC — The Bank of America Roval 400 at Charlotte Motor Speedway saw Kyle Larson’s continued dominance in elimination races. Larson, driving the №5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, secured his second playoff victory of the season, leading 62 of the final 82 laps. His win was marked by a 1.511-second lead over Christopher Bell, with William Byron finishing third.
Meanwhile, Tyler Reddick’s journey was nothing short of heroic. Starting from 26th after a Lap 84 restart, he clawed his way to 11th place, provisionally knocking Joey Logano out of the playoffs by four points. However, post-race inspection revealed that Alex Bowman’s Chevrolet failed to meet NASCAR’s weight requirements, disqualifying Bowman and reinstating Logano into the Round of 8.
Larson’s victory was his sixth of the season and the 29th of his career. It also marked his second win at the Roval, a track where he previously triumphed during his 2021 championship season. Larson’s performance was a testament to his skill and preparation, as he utilized simulator training to fine-tune his car and rhythm.
The race was not without its dramatic moments. Reddick’s car was severely damaged in a collision with Denny Hamlin, sending it skyward. Despite the damage, Reddick’s team worked tirelessly to repair the car, allowing him to make a remarkable comeback. Crew chief Billy Scott’s strategic call to pit for new tires under caution on Lap 82 proved decisive, enabling Reddick to pass 15 cars and secure his place above the elimination line.
The disqualification of Bowman’s car added a layer of drama to the race. Initially, Bowman was nine points above the elimination line, but the post-race inspection changed the playoff landscape, highlighting the importance of compliance with NASCAR’s regulations.
As the race concluded, Larson, Bell, and Hamlin had secured their spots in the Round of 8. The final eight drivers now include Larson, Bell, Byron, Elliott, Blaney, Logano, and two others, setting the stage for an exciting continuation of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs.
Updated GFT AI Driver Rankings after Charlotte ROVAL
GFT AI Race Prediction Models Deliver Race Winner and Big Points
Not only did our GFT AI Race Prediction models pick Larson to win, the model delivered 234 points and moved our ranking to 573 out of 4,761 players in the #TMDNASCAR league of the NASCAR Fantasy LIVE game.
UP NEXT: South Point 400 from Las Vegas Motor Speedway
Next week: the GFT team will be reporting live from Las Vegas Motor Speedway as the NASCAR Playoffs begin the Round of 8.
