TrackHouse Racing Charlotte Roval hopes intensify as the NASCAR Playoffs reach a crucial moment with Sunday’s cutline race at Charlotte Motor Speedway, where Ross Chastain is just 13 points below the transfer spot and needs a strong finish to advance. This pivotal showdown also features teammates Shane van Gisbergen and Daniel Suárez, both poised to challenge for victory on the renowned Roval course.
Playoff Tensions Rise as NASCAR Heads to the Charlotte Roval
This weekend marks the sixth out of 10 NASCAR Playoff races and serves as the last contest in the Round of 12, set on the distinctive Charlotte Motor Speedway Roval—an iconic track embedded in the sport’s legacy. The stakes are immense for Chastain, currently ranked ninth among the 12 championship hopefuls. With elimination looming for four drivers after this event, competitors must secure enough points to continue toward the championship-deciding finale at Phoenix Raceway in Avondale, Arizona on November 2.
Chastain’s TrackHouse Racing teammates, Shane van Gisbergen and Daniel Suárez, are both within the group of front-runners eyeing a victory at this decisive race. Their presence promises to elevate competition as the playoff battle intensifies, with multiple drivers and organizations—such as Front Row Motorsports and DEX Imaging Team—also in the mix, and notable entities like Josh Bilicki and Noah Gragson preparing for their own challenges on the famed circuit.
Ross Chastain Facing Must-Win Scenario
Ross Chastain faces a make-or-break situation this weekend, entering the race needing to overcome a 13-point deficit to secure his place in the next playoff round. After last Sunday’s race at Kansas Speedway, where he finished 11th following some late-race damage during a restart, Chastain finds himself in urgent need of a strong points day. His best finish on the 2.42-mile Charlotte Roval came last October, when he claimed 10th place during his sixth Cup Series start at this venue.
This weekend, Chastain’s Busch Light-branded No. 1 car will feature a special mountain-themed paint scheme, celebrating the partnership’s roots in outdoor culture and racing tradition. Before the main event, Chastain will participate in pre-race fan activities, including autograph sessions and a Q&A at the Fan Zone, highlighting TrackHouse Racing’s efforts to connect with supporters.
Be on the throttle more. More time on the gas, more speed.
—Ross Chastain, Driver
Phil Surgen and the guys get to figure out how to get stage points and set ourselves up for the end of the race. A lot of it depends on speed. If we’re fast enough to battle with SVG, then we don’t care as much about stage points because we’re fast and we just go win the race.
—Ross Chastain, Driver
Chastain and crew chief Phil Surgen have developed a strong working relationship since their pairing in 2021, making them the third longest active driver-crew chief duo. The No. 1 car, driven by Chastain, has visited victory lane six times since 2022, which is the highest tally for that number in Cup Series history. Previous No. 1 car record-holder Jamie McMurray had four wins with that number.
Shane van Gisbergen Sets Sights on Road Course Success
Shane van Gisbergen enters the Charlotte Roval event after clinching his best-ever oval finish last week at Kansas—rebounding from a lap-one penalty to finish inside the top 10 for his milestone 10th top-10 in just 45 Cup starts. Van Gisbergen, known for his prowess on road circuits, has a stellar history in these conditions, never finishing outside the top 10 on a road course and achieving five Cup Series wins, four poles, nine top-10s and six top-5s.
His rookie campaign has been historic: van Gisbergen set the record for the most single-season wins by a Sunoco Rookie, highlighted by his breakthrough at Watkins Glen and a three-race road course win streak that echoes the feats of Jeff Gordon. Hailing from Auckland, New Zealand, he stands as the only non-American to notch at least four NASCAR Cup Series victories, an accomplishment reminiscent of Dan Gurney’s rapid success in 1968.
It feels great, it was an awesome day! It was good to get our first top-10 in Kansas. Wasn’t ideal that we had to go a lap down at the start but just continued to work our way forward. Took me some time to get confident, but the car was really good and it allowed me to have confidence in myself as the race progressed. Really stoked for that finish and proud of all my guys on the 88 team. We are getting a lot better at these (ovals).
—Shane van Gisbergen, Driver
I’m excited. I always enjoy turning right (laughs). It’s a track I’ve been too before, and I did decent there last year in both Cup and Xfinity. It’s definitely a little different than your average road course, but it’s a lot of fun. Hopefully it will be a great weekend!
—Shane van Gisbergen, Driver
Sunday will see van Gisbergen making his second Cup start on the Roval after a pole-winning debut last year, where he finished seventh despite being spun late in the race. Before the green flag, he’ll connect with fans at TrackHouse Racing’s merchandise hauler and Chevrolet Display for autographs and Q&As, further endearing himself to both new and loyal supporters.
Van Gisbergen’s historic run with TrackHouse Racing continues, as the two parties recently inked a multi-year contract extension, aiming to build on an impressive inaugural partnership that spans both Cup and Xfinity Series campaigns. Crew chief Stephen Doran, who has four Cup Series wins including the recent Mexico City race, has quickly emerged as a key figure behind van Gisbergen’s record-setting performances, bringing innovative strategies to the 88 Chevrolet group.
Daniel Suárez Looks to Road Course Strength in Final TrackHouse Season
Daniel Suárez approaches his eighth Charlotte Roval start with resilience, seeking to capitalize on his road racing expertise after a 17th-place finish in Kansas, where early struggles were alleviated by the team’s persistent adjustments. Suárez, who completed nearly every lap over his seven prior Roval appearances, earned his best result—13th—in 2021, his first year with TrackHouse Racing.
The No. 99 car will showcase the Choice Privileges® paint scheme once again, highlighting the partner’s commitment to offering VIP fan experiences and exclusive access at races through its rewards program. Suárez, the first Mexican-born Cup Series winner, owns victories at Sonoma Raceway and Atlanta Motor Speedway, as well as multiple Busch Light Pole Awards from prominent tracks like Pocono and Indianapolis.
I really like road course racing and I think we will be competitive this weekend at the ROVAL. I want to thank everyone at Choice Privileges for their support this season. We have been consistent at the ROVAL over the last few races and I think we can be even more competitive this weekend.
—Daniel Suárez, Driver
On the personal front, Suárez recently celebrated milestones both on and off the track. He married Julia Piquet, daughter of Formula One legend Nelson Piquet, and later became a dual citizen after taking the American Oath of Allegiance at a naturalization ceremony attended by NASCAR Commissioner Steve Phelps and a diverse cohort of new citizens. Suárez’s journey from Monterrey, Mexico, to American racing stardom spans 13 years, a testament to perseverance and adaptation.
His return to Mexico City for NASCAR’s first Cup race at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez was marked by a week of engaging with fans and an extraordinary drive from last to first in the Xfinity Series race—making him the only driver to accomplish that feat on a NASCAR road course. That weekend’s victories by Suárez and van Gisbergen marked the first international race weekend sweep since 2009, underscoring TrackHouse Racing’s global influence and impact on the sport.
July brought news that Suárez and TrackHouse will part ways after the 2025 season, with rising star Connor Zilisch set to join the Cup team in 2026 under the guidance of crew chief Randall Burnett. Despite the impending change, Suárez remains focused on closing out his time with the organization by delivering strong results for the team and its partners.
Cultural and Commercial Highlights Shape the Event
The Charlotte Roval weekend coincides with National Hispanic Heritage Month, celebrated annually from September 15 through October 15, recognizing the achievements and cultural contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans. Suárez’s trailblazing success as the first Mexican Cup winner places him at the center of this celebration, further raising the profile of international athletes in NASCAR.
Track branding and partnerships add vibrancy to the event. Chastain’s Busch Light car will feature its ‘Iconic’ mountain landscape paint scheme, while WeatherTech continues its role as a primary sponsor for van Gisbergen, emphasizing durability and innovation in automotive accessories. The event’s immersive fan experiences include merchandise haulers, pit road tours, Q&A sessions, and exclusive hospitality—an intersection of passionate fandom, world-class brands, and high-performance racing.
Playoff Implications and Future Storylines
Sunday’s TrackHouse Racing Charlotte Roval contest may determine the season’s trajectory for Chastain, van Gisbergen, and Suárez. As four drivers face imminent elimination from the Playoffs, every point and strategic maneuver gains heightened importance. For Chastain, a strong showing is necessary to keep his championship hopes alive; van Gisbergen seeks to cement his reputation as an elite road course contender and continue shattering rookie records; and Suárez aims to maximize his remaining time at TrackHouse amid transition.
With high-profile brands like Busch Light, WeatherTech, and Choice Privileges® amplifying off-track excitement, and a field of versatile drivers representing a global cross-section of racing talent, the Charlotte Roval promises drama, skill, and high-stakes competition. The outcome will reverberate through the NASCAR Cup Series, shaping the championship battle as attention soon shifts toward Phoenix for the ultimate showdown. Fans and teams alike await the weekend’s revelations, ready to celebrate both the winners on the track and the international spirit shaping NASCAR’s present and future.
