A new plan is in place for the next NASCAR Xfinity Series event at Charlotte Motor Speedway, and it is already creating buzz. The changes affect more than just the clock. One part of the track will look different than before, especially late in the race. While some details may seem small, they could make a big impact. As the race day gets closer, the full effect of this update is still unclear—but it has already started a strong response.
Infield Lighting Coming to the Roval, Start Time Adjusted
Charlotte Motor Speedway has announced that the Oct. 4 Xfinity Series race—the Drive For The Cure 250 Presented by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina—will now start at 5:00 p.m. ET. To accommodate visibility concerns near dusk, the track will implement temporary lighting for the infield portion of its road course layout, known as the Roval. The oval portion of the course already benefits from permanent lighting, making this a hybrid illumination setup.
The change comes as part of NASCAR’s ongoing effort to adapt race schedules and improve the fan experience both at the track and on television. Sunset in Charlotte on that day is expected around 7:02 p.m. ET, meaning the final stages of the race could take place under artificial light. While the sanctioning body has not labeled this as a night race, the circumstances suggest a partial shift in that direction.
The race will be run over 67 laps, totaling 152.76 miles on the 2.28-mile course. Charlotte’s Roval presents unique challenges with its blend of tight turns, elevation changes, and high-speed banking.
Fans React to Timing, Lighting, and the Roval Format
As news of the schedule change and lighting additions broke, fans took to social media with a range of opinions. Some were enthusiastic about the prospect of racing into the evening, while others questioned the logic of starting so late in the day.
“What’s the reason for a late start time?” one fan asked, echoing confusion among those expecting an earlier green flag. Another wondered if this might be NASCAR’s first step toward a full-fledged night race on the Roval:
“Are we getting a night Charlotte Roval race????”
Not all reactions were positive. Some fans criticized the timing itself rather than the lighting. “5PM is the absolute worst time to start a race,” one wrote. “Just run it at night then.” Others expressed fatigue with the Roval altogether, advocating for a return to the traditional oval format:
“Race on the oval—it’s much better racing.”
Additionally, some fans brought up a wider point about consistency. “So why not run Trucks at night as well?” one comment read, referring to the broader weekend schedule and the lack of uniformity in race formats and start times.
The decision reflects a balancing act NASCAR often faces: innovating to capture new audiences and broadcast windows while staying true to the preferences of longtime fans.
2024 Recap of NASCAR Cup Race: Larson Dominates the Cup Roval Race
Last year’s Cup Series event on the Roval saw Kyle Larson put on a clinic in road course racing. Larson led 62 of the 109 laps in the 2024 Bank of America ROVAL 400 and cruised to his sixth win of the season. His performance was not only dominant—it was timely, as the victory earned him five valuable Playoff Points and a guaranteed spot in the Round of 8.
Larson crossed the line ahead of Christopher Bell, William Byron, Austin Cindric, and Chase Elliott, all of whom ran strong races but couldn’t match the pace of the No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet.
Notably, Alex Bowman was disqualified after the race for failing post-race inspection due to a minimum weight violation. He originally finished 18th.
2024 Bank of America ROVAL 400 Race Results
| Fin | Driver | Diff |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kyle Larson | — |
| 2 | Christopher Bell | 1.511 |
| 3 | William Byron | 8.965 |
| 4 | Austin Cindric | 9.940 |
| 5 | Chase Elliott | 11.756 |
| 6 | AJ Allmendinger | 12.919 |
| 7 | Shane Van Gisbergen | 16.970 |
| 8 | Joey Logano | 17.975 |
| 9 | Bubba Wallace | 25.570 |
| 10 | Ryan Blaney | 26.728 |
| 11 | Tyler Reddick | 28.897 |
| 12 | Carson Hocevar | 30.151 |
| 13 | Kyle Busch | 31.289 |
| 14 | Denny Hamlin | 31.465 |
| 15 | Michael McDowell | 32.148 |
| 16 | Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. | 32.748 |
| 17 | Chris Buescher | 33.178 |
| 18 | Todd Gilliland | 37.720 |
| 19 | Zane Smith | 41.375 |
| 20 | Harrison Burton | 43.097 |
| 21 | Martin Truex, Jr. | 43.256 |
| 22 | Josh Berry | 47.102 |
| 23 | Brad Keselowski | 55.074 |
| 24 | Daniel Hemric | 55.405 |
| 25 | Ryan Preece | 62.599 |
| 26 | Justin Haley | 64.478 |
| 27 | Kaz Grala | 68.053 |
| 28 | Ross Chastain | 68.070 |
| 29 | Josh Bilicki | 82.998 |
| 30 | Daniel Suarez | 1 lap |
| 31 | Noah Gragson | 1 lap |
| 32 | Austin Dillon | 2 laps |
| 33 | Erik Jones | 53 laps |
| 34 | John Hunter Nemechek | 54 laps |
| 35 | Ty Gibbs | 55 laps |
| 36 | Chase Briscoe | 68 laps |
| 37 | Corey LaJoie | 106 laps |
| 38 | Alex Bowman | 37.341 |
The 2024 event served as a benchmark for what fans can expect in 2025—tight competition, varying pit strategies, and a track layout that punishes even small mistakes.
Looking Ahead to the 2025 Roval Weekend
The newly adjusted start time and temporary lighting could set the tone for future Charlotte Roval events. Depending on how well the lighting performs and how fans respond, NASCAR and Charlotte Motor Speedway may evaluate the potential for fully sanctioned night races on the road course in the coming years.
Television broadcast partners are also expected to monitor viewer metrics closely. A later start time potentially opens the event up to a broader prime-time audience, particularly on the East Coast.
For drivers, the lighting shift might influence setup decisions, particularly around visibility and grip changes in the evening. While the Roval remains one of the most technical tracks on the schedule, the addition of lighting introduces a new variable to what’s already a complex race environment.
Expect teams to prepare accordingly—especially those on the playoff bubble, where every point can define the difference between advancing and elimination.
News in Brief: NASCAR Charlotte Roval updates
The Drive For The Cure 250 at Charlotte’s Roval is getting a slight makeover in 2025. NASCAR confirmed the Xfinity Series race will now begin at 5:00 p.m. ET on Saturday, Oct. 4, with temporary lighting installed for the infield portion of the track. The oval section already has lighting in place. Sunset is set for 7:02 p.m. ET, meaning the race may finish under lights. Fans are split—some excited about a potential twilight race, others frustrated with the late start. The 2024 Cup race was won by Kyle Larson, who dominated by leading 62 laps.
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