SVG Challenged but Prevails in Round of 12 Finale at Charlotte Roval

KELSEY CHRISTMAN - STAFF WRITER

Shane van Gisbergen leads the field through the frontstretch chicane en route to his fifth win of 2025. (Photo Credit: Kelsey Christman, Motorsports Today, October 5th, 2025)

Entering the Charlotte Roval, Shane van Gisbergen was the clear favorite to win, as he walked into the track on a four-race road course win streak. He rolled off second to begin this race after falling short to Tyler Reddick in qualifying for the pole. Reddick securing the pole was critical as he and 23XI Racing teammate Bubba Wallace both entered in need of a win to advance into the Round of 8. Wallace fired off 12th.

The track was at its coolest all weekend as the green flag flew Sunday amidst overcast skies and steady winds, vastly different from the direct sun and heat on the track for practice and qualifying on Saturday. This challenged drivers to feel the changes and adjust to the track early in the race. Pit strategy was also a focus for this weekend with tire wear and fuel mileage playing key roles in the race, as well as strategy around the stages.

Also entering the race in a must-win situation, Penske’s Austin Cindric saw his playoff hopes disintegrate on lap 9 as contact from Justin Haley sent him spinning. The 2 team quickly repaired the damage. Cindric came back on the track but found trouble again after contact with another Spire Motorsports driver, this time Carson Hocevar. Hocevar locked up in turn 16 causing the spin. The team again worked to repair a broken right rear toe link, but Cindric finished 36th and was eliminated from the postseason.

Another playoff driver who struggled throughout this race was Chase Briscoe. Having battled illness throughout the week, Briscoe reported dizziness and requested ice in his firesuit to cool down and help recover to finish the race 14th. His determination shined through as he advanced into the Round of 8 by 19 points.

SVG, while fast, was not nearly as dominant as he was at other road courses earlier this season. Kyle Larson battled hard throughout the race with Christopher Bell right behind. On lap 63, early in the third stage, Larson was able to complete the pass and changes began for the lead spot throughout each pit cycle, with tight battles between the three.

However, after van Gisbergen amassed a lead of nearly 20 seconds over Larson and Bell after the latter two had pitted, the road course ace took full control. Even on older tires, SVG was unstoppable, hanging on to win his fifth consecutive road course race for Trackhouse Racing, the second longest such streak in NASCAR Cup Series history.

Meanwhile, the focus turned to the final transfer spot into the next round. Ross Chastain and Joey Logano battled hard throughout the day on either side of the cut line to make it in.. Chastain overcame two driver errors on pit road, including a penalty in the final stage on lap 87 when caught speeding. Fading on older tires as Logano charged back into transfer position, Chastain made a last ditch effort through the final turns of the race, as he ran through the front stretch chicane with limited braking to try and pass Denny Hamlin for the necessary point to move on. In this effort, he ended up spinning both Hamlin and himself, resulting in him finishing with the car in reverse just four points below the cutline, allowing the three-time champion to advance, while Chastain, Cindric, Wallace, and Reddick were sent home.

The Round of 8 is officially set with Hamlin, Blaney, Larson, Byron, Bell, Elliott, Briscoe, and Logano going into Las Vegas Motor Speedway next Sunday still with a shot at the championship.