CONCORD, N.C.— William Byron, the only Playoff driver already locked into the Round of 8, thinks the course changes at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course may affect strategy in Sunday’s Bank of America Roval 400 (2 p.m. ET on NBC, PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).
Specifically, it might enhance the efficacy of short-pitting the ends of the first two stages to set up track position for the finish.
“Yeah, I think if we’re not very good tomorrow, then we might try and go for the stage win,” said Byron, whose primary interest in the Round of 12 elimination race is collecting Playoff points. “But it’s tough here, because pit road only takes 30 seconds, I believe, including the pit stop. So it’s a big advantage to short-pit here because you can still come out and get stage points.
“I think the No. 20 (Christopher Bell) did that last year. When he came out, he lost like three positions. I think the lap times being slower this year, it might be more that way. So it will be tough for these guys that don’t—if you’re not running well, I don’t think you’re going to just luck into some stage points. I think you’re going to have to be up front. So it’ll be interesting, but I’m excited to watch everyone else; see how nervous they are and just go race.”
That’s the luxury Byron has after scoring enough points in the first two races of the round to assure his advancement.
“Yeah, it’s great.. it’s awesome,” Byron said. “It changes the whole mood and vibe for the weekend, for sure. I mean, I haven’t really thought a lot about it, in terms of just trying to do the normal preparation and be ready for the race and try to go win.
“But, yeah, there aren’t consequences for us, so that’s a great feeling, and I feel like it’s one that we can take advantage of. We don’t have to worry about going out here in practice and try to ease into it. We can just try to send it and see what happens.”
Source: Reid Spencer | NASCAR Wire Service
