TC Daily Pit Stop: Talladega Storylines, Charlotte ROVAL Entry Lists, and News Headlines from Monday
TC Daily Pit Stop: Tuesday, October 8, 2024
Is your favorite driver competing this weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway’s ROVAL? There’s tons of road course specialists in both the NASCAR Cup Series and NASCAR Xfinity Series events this week. With an updated configuration, the racing should be unpredictable — but isn’t it always when it comes to the road courses.
TALLADEGA STORYLINES:
Talladega Redemption Acquired for Erik Jones with First Top-Five of 2024
Sunday at Talladega, Erik Jones captured a major victory for himself and LEGACY MOTOR CLUB — although, it’s not the kind of victory that NASCAR keeps track of.
Jones carried his pink and white Dollar Tree-sponsored No. 43 Toyota Camry XSE to a fifth-place result in Sunday’s overtime-extended event. It’s the first top-five of the season for the Byron, Michigan native, and the first top-five for LEGACY MOTOR CLUB since switching to Toyota.
For an organization that has spent much of the season struggling, that’s massive.
Even bigger still is the personal victory for driver Erik Jones. In April’s GEICO 500 at Talladega, Jones was riding in a single-file line of Toyota-affiliated teammates when a push gone awry saw the No. 43 Toyota get hooked head-on into the Turn 3 SAFER Barrier in a gnarly-looking crash, causing a compression fracture that sidelined him for two weeks.
READ MORE
Austin Cindric's Golden Ticket Moment Thwarted by Late Crash at Talladega
With less than five laps to go, Austin Cindric was in prime position to capture a victory in Sunday's YellaWood 500 at Talladega Superspeedway, a victory that would advance the No. 2 team into the next round of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs and erase the struggles of Kansas.
Coming into the weekend, Cindric was among the top points earners on superspeedways this season, and the Team Penske driver, once again, continued to collect valuable stage points, scoring a ninth-place in the first stage, and winning the race's second.
Now, headed to the ROVAL, the Team Penske driver sits in a dire spot.
READ MORE
MORE HEADLINES:
Shane Van Gisbergen to Drive Kaulig Racing No. 13 at Charlotte ROVAL: Shane Van Gisbergen has added another NASCAR Cup Series event to his schedule for 2024, driving the No. 13 for Kaulig Racing at Charlotte’s ROVAL.
Hendrick Motorsports Among Four NC Companies Making Collective $2M Hurricane Relief Donation: As the devastation created by Hurricane Helene becomes clearer with each passing day, Hendrick Automotive Group, Hendrick Motorsports, Sonic Automotive, and Speedway Motorsports will make a $2 million collective gift to Samaritan’s Purse.
JR Motorsports Appealing Talladega Disqualification for Sam Mayer: JR Motorsports is appealing the Talladega disqualification for Sam Mayer and the No. 1 team, which stripped the team of a 16th-place result.
Champion Container Joining Daniel Dye at Kaulig Racing for 2025 Season: Champion Container, a long-time partner of Daniel Dye, will sponsor the No. 10 Chevrolet Camaro in several events next season, starting at Daytona.
CHARLOTTE ROVAL ENTRY LISTS:
NCS Bank of America ROVAL 400: There are 38 cars on the preliminary entry list for Sunday’s Bank of America ROVAL 400 at Charlotte’s ROVAL. Notables: 13-VanGisbergen, 15-Grala, 16-Allmendinger, 66-Bilicki
NXS Drive for The Cure 250: There are 38 cars on the preliminary entry list for Saturday’s Drive for The Cure 250 at Charlotte’s ROVAL. Notables: 07-Karam, 14-Byrd, 15-Lupton, 19-Bilicki, 20-Almirola, 26-Jones, 28-RSieg, 32-Green, 35-Annunziata, 39-KSieg, 45-Perez, 50-Pardus, 88-Mosack, 91-Labbe, 92-Cram
NASCAR TRIVIA:
NEED A HINT?
This driver does not compete full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series.
This driver has piloted an iconic race car.
This driver does not have a NASCAR Cup Series championship-winning father.
This driver has nine road course wins in the NASCAR Cup Series.