Track Length: 2.28 miles (3.67 km)
Number of Turns: 17
Circuit Type: Hybrid oval/road course (aka "Roval")
Elevation Change: 35 feet
Top Speed Potential: ~180 mph (290 km/h) on the oval sections
Primary Use: NASCAR Cup Series – Bank of America Roval 400
The Charlotte Roval blends two worlds: the high-speed flow of a NASCAR oval with the precision of a technical infield road course. This hybrid design creates one of the most unique and demanding layouts in American motorsport.
The infield section is tight and unforgiving, filled with sharp corners and elevation changes that demand rhythm and focus. Then, the car blasts onto the oval, where banking and slipstream come into play—before hitting heavy braking zones like the backstretch chicane (Turns 11 and 12).
The Carousel—a steeply banked, sweeping left-hander modeled after the Nürburgring’s famous turn—adds a European-style element that’s rare in NASCAR. Turn transitions between oval and road sections test driver adaptability. Mistakes, especially at the reprofiled chicanes, can end a race or bring out a caution.
Precision braking is crucial here, especially as the backstretch chicane was modified in 2019 to prevent drivers from shortcutting. Missing the chicane triggers a stop-and-go penalty, upping the tension late in the race.
First introduced in 2018, the Charlotte Roval was a bold move by NASCAR to infuse road course complexity into the playoff schedule—and it immediately delivered. Designed on the grounds of the famed Charlotte Motor Speedway, the Roval uses portions of the 1.5-mile oval combined with a custom-designed infield layout.
The event it hosts—the Bank of America Roval 400—has become a playoff wildcard. With limited data, a mixed-surface layout, and high-risk braking zones, it frequently produces drama, chaos, and surprise winners.
One of the Roval’s standout features is spectator visibility: fans in the main grandstands can see every turn of the circuit, a rarity in road racing. That, combined with its location in the heart of NASCAR country (Concord, North Carolina), makes the Roval a fan-favorite.
As a purpose-built hybrid track, the Roval forces drivers out of their comfort zones, mixing NASCAR’s bread-and-butter speed with precision road course skills. It’s a proving ground for drivers who can adapt—and survive.
Charlotte Roval: Where speed meets strategy—and chaos decides champions.
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