By Matt Courson, Staff Writer
SONOMA, Calif. — Charlotte Motor Speedway announced changes to the track layout for the 2019 Bank of America ROVAL™ 400 in October.
The backstretch chicane has been widened and expanded in hopes of creating additional passing opportunities and generating side-by-side racing. Track officials have moved back parts of the inside wall near oval Turn 3 to allow more space for the updated backstretch chicane.
“The Bank of America ROVAL™ 400 is all about excitement and creating memorable moments for our fans,” said Marcus Smith, the president and CEO of Speedway Motorsports, Inc.
“Having our backstretch chicane upgraded will give drivers an additional opportunity to go for a season-making or season-breaking pass like we saw on the frontstretch chicane last year. Every turn matters on the ROVAL™.”
Smith says that the feedback from drivers has been positive and that the drivers are up for the challenge.
“The drivers are up for a challenge, and this is a challenge,” Smith told Kickin’ The Tires. Just like the [new] carousel [at Sonoma] is a challenge and something different, I think that’s really the opportunity. We’ve got some of the greatest drivers in the world in NASCAR, greatest teams in the world.
“They need to be challenged and that’s what we’re doing with the ROVAL™ and tweaking the backstretch chicane in this case. What I’m seeing from most of the drivers, they’re up for the challenge.”
The updated chicane will require heavier breaking and a sharper entry into the turn, but the track hopes that a wider radius will provide drivers “risk-taking opportunities” and a increased margin for error on the exit of the turn.
In addition to the updated chicane, Charlotte Motor Speedway officials announced that the NASCAR Xfinity Series race has been extended by 50 kilometers and will be known as the Drive for the Cure 250 presented by Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina