NASCAR: Top two favorites switching seats for Charlotte race

As a seasoned gamer of NASCAR races, I can’t help but feel the adrenaline rush as I witness the impending showdown between A.J. Allmendinger and Shane van Gisbergen at Charlotte Motor Speedway this weekend! Having followed their careers closely since their respective debuts in 2014 and 2023, I’ve seen these two drivers carve out impressive paths within the sport.

Kaulig Racing teammates A.J. Allmendinger and Shane van Gisbergen are set to participate in the NASCAR Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Sunday, making it the first time this season they’ve been in two consecutive Cup Series races together.

In the year 2024, both Allmendinger and van Gisbergen took turns driving Kaulig Racing’s official No. 16 Chevrolet. Additionally, Allmendinger drove the non-chartered No. 13 Chevrolet whenever Kaulig Racing opted to field a third entry.

As a gamer on the track, I found myself at Talladega Superspeedway for my ninth race of the season, always behind the wheel of the #16 car. Meanwhile, Allmendinger was making his 14th start overall and his fourth with the #13 car. Interestingly, he’s the only driver to pilot the #13 car this year.

But that is set to change this weekend at Charlotte.

Allmendinger currently holds the title of the most recent winner at Charlotte Motor Speedway Roval. Last year, he piloted the No. 16 Chevrolet throughout the season, but this Sunday, you’ll find him back behind the wheel of that car for the 109-lap race on the 17-turn, 2.28-mile (3.669-kilometer) track in Concord, North Carolina. In 2024, Van Gisbergen is expected to make his debut with the No. 13 Chevrolet.

In the upcoming race on Sunday at FanDuel Sportsbook, Shane van Gisbergen and AJ Allmendinger are considered the top contenders to win, with odds of +500 for van Gisbergen and +800 for Allmendinger respectively.

Last season, Van Gisbergen clinched victory on the opening Chicago Street Course race, making him the first driver since 1963 to triumph in his Cup Series debut. More recently, he came in second place during the latest road course race held at Watkins Glen International.

Out of all his career wins, Allmendinger has claimed three on racetracks designed for roads. He triumphed at Watkins Glen back in 2014 and at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road circuit in 2021, with another victory at Charlotte Roval last October.

Behind the Kaulig Racing teammates in the top five for Sunday’s race are the two drivers who are considered strong contenders for the championship Kyle Larson from Hendrick Motorsports with odds of 850, Christopher Bell from Joe Gibbs Racing with odds of 1100, and William Byron also from Hendrick Motorsports with the same odds of 1100.

Start a free trial with FuboTV right away, and catch every thrilling moment of the Bank of America Roval 400 live from Charlotte Motor Speedway Roval, starting at 2:00 p.m. ET this coming Sunday, October 13. Don’t miss out on the excitement of the last road course race in the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series schedule!

2024-10-10 16:02