NASCAR at Charlotte 2015: Start Time, Ticket Info, Lineup, TV Schedule and More
Now it's on to the second round of NASCAR's Chase for the Sprint Cup at Charlotte Motor Speedway in North Carolina at the Bank of America 500.
Through one round, the Chase has more than lived up to the hype with twist and turns akin to a road course, not a traditional oval. Jimmie Johnson, Paul Menard and others are out of the running after Kevin Harvick stole a major checkered flag last week in Dover, Delaware, to stay alive.
This time around, Harvick and Co. will put on an even more emotional and competitive race with more eliminations on the way. Here's a look at Saturday night's must-see event.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
Viewing Details
Where: Charlotte Motor Speedway
When: Saturday, Oct. 10, at 7 p.m. ET
Watch: NBC
Live Stream: NBC Live Extra
Tickets: ScoreBig.com
Sprint Cup Standings
| 1 | Denny Hamlin | 3000 |
| 2 | Matt Kenseth | 3000 |
| 3 | Kevin Harvick | 3000 |
| 4 | Carl Edwards | 3000 |
| 5 | Joey Logano | 3000 |
| 6 | Dale Earnhardt Jr. | 3000 |
| 7 | Kurt Busch | 3000 |
| 8 | Ryan Newman | 3000 |
| 9 | Jeff Gordon | 3000 |
| 10 | Martin Truex Jr. | 3000 |
| 11 | Brad Keselowski | 3000 |
| 12 | Kyle Busch | 3000 |
| 13 | Jamie McMurray | 2098 |
| 14 | Jimmie Johnson | 2086 |
| 15 | Paul Menard | 2075 |
| 16 | Clint Bowyer | 2048 |
NASCAR at Charlotte Lineup
| 1 | Jamie McMurray |
| 2 | Brad Keselowski |
| 3 | Austin Dillon |
| 4 | Kevin Harvick |
| 5 | Kasey Kahne |
| 6 | Trevor Bayne |
| 7 | Alex Bowman |
| 9 | Sam Hornish Jr. |
| 10 | Danica Patrick |
| 11 | Denny Hamlin |
| 13 | Casey Mears |
| 14 | Tony Stewart |
| 15 | Clint Bowyer |
| 16 | Greg Biffle |
| 17 | Ricky Stenhouse Jr. |
| 18 | Kyle Busch |
| 19 | Carl Edwards |
| 20 | Matt Kenseth |
| 21 | Ryan Blaney |
| 22 | Joey Logano |
| 23 | Jeb Burton |
| 24 | Jeff Gordon |
| 26 | J.J. Yeley |
| 27 | Paul Menard |
| 31 | Ryan Newman |
| 32 | Josh Wise |
| 33 | Alex Kennedy |
| 34 | Brett Moffitt |
| 35 | Cole Whitt |
| 38 | David Gilliland |
| 40 | Landon Cassill |
| 41 | Kurt Busch |
| 42 | Kyle Larson |
| 43 | Aric Almirola |
| 46 | Michael Annett |
| 47 | AJ Allmendinger |
| 48 | Jimmie Johnson |
| 51 | Justin Allgaier |
| 55 | David Ragan |
| 62 | Timmy Hill |
| 78 | Martin Truex Jr. |
| 83 | Matt DiBenedetto |
| 88 | Dale Earnhardt Jr. |
| 95 | Michael McDowell |
| 98 | Reed Sorenson |
Drivers to Watch
Martin Truex Jr.
Right now, Martin Truex Jr. looks like one of the most impressive drivers in the Chase.
Truex and his team got hit with a penalty in Dover that sent them to the back of the field. Despite starting 43rd, Truex fought back to finish 11th—quite a strong performance considering he wound up in eighth place in New Hampshire the week prior.
He spoke about the incredible turnaround afterward, per NASCAR on NBC:
After acting as one of the sport's most dominant drivers early in the season, it's hard to ignore Truex in Charlotte.
Earlier this year, Truex placed fifth at the same track, leading 131 of 400 laps. If he can find the same form after an epic recovery last week, he might wind up stealing the checkered flag.
When will the struggles for Kyle Busch end?
Struggles as in Busch's ability to actually seize a checkered flag at Charlotte. Despite 903 laps led, he has yet to win a Cup race at the track. He spoke with ESPN.com's Bob Pockrass on the topic.
"It just seems like September, October, November is typically not my part of the season to have good luck," Busch said. "Maybe the luck that we did have over the summer months is maybe paying off now."
Speaking of the earlier months, Busch placed 11th at the track already this year. He's also coming off a second-place finish in Dover with 19 laps led, so he's the definition of a threat Saturday.
Perhaps the best story of the year, Busch might only further the notion if he can turn things around at Charlotte.
Kevin Harvick
Harvick needed a win and got it last weekend after finishes of 21st or worse in his prior two events.
Of course, what would a must-win situation in which the driver actually wins be without some controversy? The chatter about Harvick intentionally damaging his car during the celebration commands headlines this week, although the driver himself said he didn't realize it happened.
"You're supposed to create commotion," Harvick said, per Pockrass. "I don't remember even actually hitting the wall. I remember the tires blowing out, but I don't know if I actually even hit the wall."
Controversy or not, there's no question Harvick is right where he wants to be with an incredible amount of momentum. He only finished ninth at this track earlier in the season, but based on his performance in Dover, there's no reason to think the 39-year-old won't be right in contention late Saturday.
Keep a close eye on Harvick, suddenly the name under the spotlight again. This time it's for being in contention instead of on the brink of elimination.
Stats and info courtesy of ESPN.com unless otherwise specified.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
