TALLADEGA, ALABAMA – OCTOBER 13: A general view of the grandstands during Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series 1000Bulbs.com 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on October 13, 2019, in Talladega, Alabama. Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images
TALLADEGA, Ala – In a helter-skelter finish at the end of lap 55, William Byron held the lead to win Stage 1 of Sunday’s 1000Bulbs.com 500 at Talladega Superspeedway to advance his cause in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs.
DOVER, DELAWARE – OCTOBER 06: William Byron, driver of the #24 Axalta Chevrolet, leads Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Ally Chevrolet, during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Drydene 400 at Dover International Speedway on October 06, 2019 in Dover, Delaware. Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images
While Chase Elliott exited the race before he could break a sweat, his teammates at Hendrick Motorsports proved there was speed in their engines.
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – SEPTEMBER 29: Chase Elliott, driver of the #9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet, wins the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Bank of America ROVAL 400 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on September 29, 2019, in Charlotte, North Carolina. Photo by Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images
For the second straight year, Charlotte Motor Speedway forms into a road course to host the NASCAR Cup Series cut off race in the first round of the playoffs. Last year’s race left many drivers scratching their heads on how to tackle the ‘Roval.’ Many teams returned to the track this year looking to improve.
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – SEPTEMBER 29: William Byron, driver of the #24 UniFirst Chevrolet, during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Bank of America ROVAL 400 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on September 29, 2019, in Charlotte, North Carolina. Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images
CONCORD, N.C. – Compared with Hendrick Motorsports teammate Alex Bowman’s stress-laden run to a berth in the Round of 12 of the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs, pole winner William Byron’s path to advancement was relatively pressure-free.
RICHMOND, VA – APRIL 13: Clint Bowyer, driver of the #14 Haas Automation Ford, leads Kurt Busch, driver of the #1 Global Poker Chevrolet, during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Toyota Owners 400 at Richmond Raceway on April 13, 2019, in Richmond, Virginia. Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The scenario for Sunday’s much-anticipated Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Playoff race at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course provides exactly the intensity NASCAR fans want, but for the Playoff drivers competing to advance to the Round of 12 – the recently added road course also presents high anxiety.