Hendrick Motorsports Charlotte ROVAL ambitions take center stage as the team prepares for the pivotal Round of 12 finale in the NASCAR Cup Series at Charlotte Motor Speedway’s ROVAL course this weekend, aiming to solidify its historic dominance and push its drivers deeper into the playoffs. With multiple victories, top finishes, and impressive statistics, the Hendrick squad is poised to further cement its legacy at what is effectively a home track, supported by deep roots in the Charlotte area and a passionate local fan base.
Kyle Larson Brings Momentum and Points Buffer
Kyle Larson, age 33 and hailing from Elk Grove, California, arrives at the Charlotte ROVAL in strong form. Following a sixth-place finish at Kansas Speedway, Larson now sits third in the standings, equipped with a formidable 54-point advantage above the playoff cutline. He needs only 16 points to guarantee advancement into the next round, regardless of other competitors’ outcomes—a reassuring margin given recent tension-filled races at this venue.
Last week’s Kansas result marked the 200th top-ten finish of Larson’s Cup Series career, highlighting his consistency in the 2025 season. He is currently tied for the most top-ten finishes among all drivers this year, a testament to both his individual skill and his partnership with crew chief Cliff Daniels. Larson and the No. 5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet team have previously thrived at the Charlotte ROVAL, claiming victory last year and leading a remarkable 122 laps at the track, the most among active Cup competitors. His lap leadership just edges out teammate Chase Elliott, reflecting Hendrick’s internal competition and collective strength.
This Charlotte event also holds special significance for Larson and the HendrickCars.com brand, with over 30 affiliated dealerships and more than 3,000 team members in the greater Charlotte region. A limited-edition hat launch with pink designs, available exclusively at the track, honors Breast Cancer Awareness Month. HendrickCars.com has further underscored its community ties by donating $10,000 to Project PINK at the Atrium Health Levine Cancer Institute, reinforcing the organization’s charitable commitments at its “home race.”
“We won at the [Charlotte ROVAL] last year, which was a proud moment for our team, especially since we hadn’t run that well there in the Next Gen era. We’ve had some stressful moments at that track in the past, but heading into this weekend, given where we stand above the cutline, we’re hoping it’ll be less stressful. Hopefully, we can be as strong as we were last year and have a solid race.”
– Kyle Larson, driver of the No. 5 Chevrolet
Chase Elliott Pursues Road Course Dominance
Chase Elliott enters the Charlotte ROVAL following a victory at Kansas last weekend, which secured his spot in the Round of 8—his eighth consecutive season advancing to this stage. The 29-year-old Dawsonville, Georgia, native and his No. 9 UniFirst Chevrolet, led by crew chief Alan Gustafson, top the playoff standings heading into Charlotte.
A two-time winner at the Charlotte ROVAL, Elliott shares the record for most victories at the track with teammate Larson. His 109 laps led are second only to Larson, and Elliott leads all active drivers in stage wins (three) and stage points (82) at this course. His career average finish of 7.71 at the ROVAL is the best of any driver with multiple starts—demonstrating remarkable road course acumen.
Elliott has also been a consistent force on road circuits in the Next Gen era, collecting three top-five road course finishes this season and maintaining a streak of seven victories on such layouts. Historically, only NASCAR Hall of Famers Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart have achieved more road course wins, situating Elliott among elite company. His consistency carries over to recent ROVAL events and the broader Cup Series, cementing his role as a favorite at Charlotte and a key figure in Hendrick Motorsports’ ongoing playoff quest.
“My mind is really all about (the) Charlotte (ROVAL) right now because five more points would be a really big deal for us starting the next round and we will be in a position where you’re going to have to fight for wins over the next round too. So, I think it’s a great opportunity to race this weekend like we’re going to have to race the next three weeks following that and get our team in a position where that’s the norm because if you want to get to Phoenix, that’s got to be the mindset there anyway. So, you might as well embrace it and enjoy it.”
– Chase Elliott, driver of the No. 9 Chevrolet
William Byron Eyes Breakthrough Win
William Byron, age 27 and a native of Charlotte, North Carolina, approaches the ROVAL ranked sixth in the standings, holding a 40-point buffer above the cutline. A strong result at his home track could secure his passage to the next playoff round; earning 30 points on Sunday would clinch advancement regardless of other drivers’ results.
Byron has built an impressive record over recent rounds of the playoffs, with the second- and third-best average finish all time (1.67 in 2023, 2.67 in 2024) in the Round of 12 while consistently reaching the Round of 8 in each of his last three trips to this phase. In 2025, he sits near the top in many statistical categories, including leading the second-most laps (915), running the most laps inside the top ten (4,821), and maintaining the best average running position (10.8) on the field.
On road courses, Byron’s performance continues to shine—he has completed nearly 42% of laps in the top five and over 60% in the top ten this season. In the last 12 road course starts, Byron has amassed nine top-ten finishes (tied for most), two wins (tied for second most), and 110 laps led (second most). At the Charlotte ROVAL specifically, Byron holds the sixth-best average finish among active drivers with multiple starts (11.14), and he has produced back-to-back top-five results with a runner-up in 2023 and third in 2024.
“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, driver of the No. 24 Chevrolet
Alex Bowman Relies on Past Road Course Form
Alex Bowman, age 32 from Tucson, Arizona, faces the ROVAL weekend standing 13th in points after a difficult 28th-place finish at Kansas. Despite the setback, Bowman’s road course record is solid, highlighted by two top-five and five top-ten finishes in six career ROVAL starts, including a best finish of second place in 2019.
Bowman’s consistency extends across all road circuits, with seven top tens in his last 13 such events and a road course victory at the 2024 Chicago Street Race—the most notable of his eight career Cup Series wins. His average finish of 15th on serpentine tracks underscores a competitive baseline. Off the track, Bowman and sponsor Ally have supported Best Friends Animal Society, raising over $725,000 since 2021 through weekly donations to local shelters, including the latest targeted gift to the SPCA of Northeastern North Carolina in Elizabeth City.
“The ROVAL is always such a unique challenge because it mixes so many different elements of road and oval racing. Our No. 48 Ally Chevy has had speed there in the past, and we’ve been building good momentum on road courses lately.”
– Alex Bowman, driver of the No. 48 Chevrolet
Hendrick Motorsports: A Track Record of Excellence
Hendrick Motorsports arrives at the Charlotte ROVAL as the statistical benchmark in NASCAR. In 2025, the team has powered to 21 poles and 26 victories across Cup and Xfinity Series competition, including seven Cup wins and countless strong runs in the Next Gen era. As an organization, they have logged 41 points-paying Cup victories in the current car generation, surpassing all rivals.
Through 31 events in the current season, Hendrick Motorsports machines have led 2,448 laps—30% of all laps completed in the Cup Series—and accumulated 17 stage wins, the second-highest total in team history through this stage of the year. At least one Hendrick driver has finished in the top ten in 30 out of 31 races, and three or more team cars have achieved simultaneous top tens on eight occasions—a record pace.
At the Charlotte ROVAL, Hendrick’s supremacy is evidenced by four total wins, nine top-five finishes, 18 top tens, and 266 laps led—all series-leading numbers at this venue. In six of the seven Cup Series races held at the ROVAL, a Hendrick driver has led the most laps, underscoring the team’s adaptability and consistency on this challenging hybrid course. In the broader landscape, the team has secured five wins in the last 12 road course races and continues to lead in key performance metrics.
Notably, the current lineup—Kyle Larson, Chase Elliott, William Byron, and Alex Bowman—each brings individual strengths that feed into Hendrick Motorsports’ sustained organizational excellence, ensuring that the team remains the focal point of attention as the playoffs intensify.
The Road Ahead: Significance and Anticipation
As the NASCAR Cup Series converges on Charlotte Motor Speedway’s ROVAL circuit for the Round of 12 finale, Hendrick Motorsports is poised not only to extend its playoff presence but also to chase further history at its home track. Each of its drivers carries specific goals: Larson aims to capitalize on his points cushion, Elliott seeks to add to his road course legacy, Byron looks for his Charlotte breakthrough, and Bowman eyes another strong road showing.
The team’s dominance, both recent and historic, sets the stage for a high-stakes showdown. The outcome will influence not only the shape of the 2025 playoffs but also continue to build on Hendrick Motorsports Charlotte ROVAL reputation as the gold standard among NASCAR organizations—a status that drivers, crew chiefs, and fans alike are eager to see reaffirmed this weekend.
