Carl Edwards Admires ‘Smart Marcus Smith’s Roval Revamp Despite ’The Dumbest Thing Ever’ Preconception

NASCAR is on a mission to attract new fans to its racing series. As easy as it might sound, it is a big undertaking. NASCAR racing is complex, as one needs to learn and get to know oval racing better to understand the roots of the sport. However, a fusion of traditional racing with road courses just might do the trick. And this is where Charlotte Roval has proven to be a good entry point for the fans to be introduced to NASCAR, according to Carl Edwards.

This idea of converting the oval track into a road course materialized back in 2018. Since then it has changed, and perhaps the biggest one for the 2024 Cup Series playoff race this weekend. The 2.28-mile track will see reconfiguration done to the two areas of the road course, which is expected to deliver thrilling race action. Although there is a lot of chatter around the questionable reconfiguration of the track, Edwards feels this was a smart move by SMI. He also opened up about how his previous reservations surrounding the idea of Roval changed over time.

Carl Edwards is all in for drama and a chaotic race feature at Roval

So what’s changed with the racetrack compared to last year’s event, and how will it impact racing? The first one is made to Turns 6 and 7. Initially, the course had a bend coming to Turn 7, but now the entire section is turned into a straightaway. The sticky spot is going to be the hairpin section entering and exiting Turn 7, which is going to encourage dive-bomb moves as it is a braking zone.

That’s not it; the final portion of the track also sees significant changes in Turns 16 and 17. Originally, the track blended into a slight arch, leading the drivers towards the start-finish line. But, now with the new changes, drivers will go into Turn 16 with a 90-degree right turn and a similar feature exiting Turn 17 to the left-hand side. These changes have got the playoff drivers nervous while leaving a few fans concerned about them causing a wreck fest.

However, Carl Edwards has a rather different view on this raging topic. “I look at that turn 7, and I mean, Marcus Smith and those folks are pretty smart; they moved that curbing down to let somebody to drive straight in there. I mean, those seats, they’re going to be worth whatever people are paying for them.” Edwards said this NASCAR’s special show ‘Inside the Playoffs’ on YouTube.

He further claimed that the Bank of America Roval 400 might prove to be the most exciting event of the season. “Okay, I gotta be honest, when they started talking about this. I was like, this is the dumbest thing ever. I really thought, and now if you’re a new fan tuning in. Tune into this race because I think this is going to be the most dynamic races of the season.”

But, more chaos and drama aren’t in the best interest of the drivers jostling for a spot in the Round of 8 of the playoffs. And from their reactions, it was evident that they were feeling the nerves ahead of the race at Roval.

Chase Elliott is feeling the pressure ahead of the big race

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The Hendrick Motorsports star is right on the bubble, holding the 12th spot going into this weekend’s race at Roval. A road course race in itself is a wildcard element for the drivers looking to have a solid points day. But the added complexity of the reconfiguration does notch the pressure level a little above than usual. In Elliott’s case, he isn’t sure what he is expecting from the racetrack that has undergone new changes.

“To me, I kind of look at it like it’s a new race track, truthfully. That section of the track is going to change the entire flow of the lap there, so I’ve been kind of approaching it as a new track with my preparation. Obviously, we have extra practice next week, so hopefully that’s enough to find a good rhythm and get a good flow for qualifying and then obviously for the race.” He was quoted saying this via NASCAR.com.

Even 5-time Roval winner A.J. Allmendinger is feeling the nerves ahead of the Xfinity race. And like Elliott, he is also on the tightrope, floating on the bubble, placed 8th among the eight drivers in the safe zone. “I go into this weekend probably with the least amount of confidence that I ever been going into the Roval… I think desperation and stuff—there’s gonna be a lot of dive-bombs at the hairpin. I think that’s kind of where we’re gonna see a lot of the action.”

There are a lot of unknowns for the drivers and the experts alike going into this weekend’s race at Roval. Only the practice and qualifying runs could provide a hint of how big of an impact these new changes will have on the racing.