The NASCAR Cup Series playoff Round of 12 concluded Sunday at Charlotte Motor Speedway with another Chase Elliott road course win — his fourth consecutive victory in such a setting.
Only Jeff Gordon has a longer streak in NASCAR history with six straight wins at road courses.
Heartburn Turn wall: not required for burnout this year. 😎@chaseelliott | @TeamHendrick pic.twitter.com/2kVhCk57iX
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) October 11, 2020
Defending champion Kyle Busch was among the four drivers eliminated from the postseason field in the Bank of America ROVAL 400. Clint Bowyer, Austin Dillon and Aric Almirola were also knocked out of contention. Bowyer announced he would retire after this campaign, meaning his playoff career is now over.
Goodbye, Clint.
— Sporting News NASCAR (@sn_nascar) October 11, 2020
😔😔😔 pic.twitter.com/qMpaWNOb5L
Busch held a lead with 20 laps to go but was overpowered by rivals with more fuel and fresher tires. He took a risk by staying out during a caution while almost the entire field pitted. That decision didn't pay off, and he finished in 30th place.
Alex Bowman and Joey Logano entered the race concerned poor weather and an unpredictable course could create enough hectic racing for them to crash or for someone on the wrong side of the playoff bubble to win. Despite worrisome forecasts, though, it did not rain. They advanced to the Round of Eight on points.
Sporting News tracked live updates and lap-by-lap highlights from Sunday's NASCAR race at Charlotte. Follow below for complete results from the 2020 Bank of America ROVAL 400.
MORE: Watch Sunday's NASCAR race live with fuboTV (7-day free trial)
Playoff standings for NASCAR's Round of 8
| Pos. | Driver | Distance from cut-off |
| 1 | Kevin Harvick | +45 |
| 2 | Denny Hamlin | +32 |
| 3 | Brad Keselowski | +13 |
| 4 | Chase Elliott | +5 |
| CUT-OFF | CUT-OFF | CUT-OFF |
| 5 | Joey Logano | -5 |
| 6 | Martin Truex Jr. | -10 |
| 7 | Alex Bowman | -18 |
| 8 | Kurt Busch | -21 |
NASCAR at Charlotte results, highlights from ROVAL race
5:51 p.m.: Chase Elliott wins the Bank of America ROVAL 400. Kyle Busch, Clint Bowyer, Austin Dillon and Aric Almirola are eliminated from the playoffs.
Here’s @chaseelliott celebrating is win @CLTMotorSpdwy @PRNlive pic.twitter.com/MNVTWrlkwC
— Doug Rice (@Riceman61) October 11, 2020
SOUND THE SI-REEN!@ChaseElliott WINS AGAIN at the @CLTMotorSpdwy ROVAL! #NASCARPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/V2WcxSZeur
— #NASCARPlayoffs on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) October 11, 2020
.@KyleBusch becomes the first defending champion to fail to advance past the Round of 12 under this championship format.
— Davey Segal (@DaveyCenter) October 11, 2020
5:50 p.m.: Truex Jr. and Kurt Busch collide. No caution.
5:43 p.m.: Three laps to go.
5:43 p.m.: Kyle Busch is in seventh place with five laps left.
5:40 p.m.: Elliott is two seconds ahead of second place Logano.
5:37 p.m.: Nine laps to go.
5:35 p.m.: Green.
5:35 p.m.: Rain update.
Cell is moving slow. Should be able to get to finish without rain. pic.twitter.com/31h5jj5Lnk
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) October 11, 2020
5:31 p.m.: And a caution comes out with 12 laps to go. Wow.
Caution for @brennanpoole, stopped on the track.
— Dustin Albino (el-bee-no) (@DustinAlbino) October 11, 2020
"Saving hard" @KyleBusch is told.
Caution for @brennanpoole with 12 laps to go. @chaseelliott leads.
— Davey Segal (@DaveyCenter) October 11, 2020
"We gotta save fuel and hope somebody else has a problem," Adam Stevens tells Kyle Busch.
The leaders have likely made their final pit stops of the afternoon.
5:29 p.m.: A caution could lead to a wet finish.
WX UPDATE | Severe weather has been reported in the area. Please stay weather aware.
— Charlotte Motor Speedway (@CLTMotorSpdwy) October 11, 2020
5:28 p.m.: Elliott is finding separation. Kyle Busch has fallen back to fifth.
5:23 p.m.: Elliott to first place. He has three straight road course wins and could make it four this afternoon.
The 9️⃣ with the CROSSOVER. 🔥@chaseelliott is back to the top of the leaderboard at the Roval! pic.twitter.com/jTKABDDFxp
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) October 11, 2020
5:22 p.m.: Erik Jones passes Kyle Busch for first. Elliott is running hot behind them.
5:19 p.m.: Lots of bumping at the restart but no crashes. 20 laps to go.
5:13 p.m.: Kyle Busch stays out while most others pit under the yellow flag. He's going to cut it close with fuel.
5:09 p.m.: Caution for debris.
5:08 p.m.: Kyle Busch up to third place.
4:58 p.m.: 30 laps to go. Bowman and Ryan Preece battling for P1. Kyle Busch is up to sixth place.
4:55 p.m.: Bowman isn't feeling great, but he's now in the lead.
4:51 p.m.: It's not looking good right now for the drivers below the playoff cut line. Bowyer is having major vehicle problems.
Bowyer has no power steering and damage to the front of the car.
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) October 11, 2020
4:43 p.m.: Uh-oh. Bowman is apparently feeling sick.
.@AlexBowman88 says he's not feeling very well in the car
— Jim Utter (@jim_utter) October 11, 2020
4:40 p.m.: That didn't last long. Caution for Austin Dillon. Might have been contact from fellow playoff contender Kylee Busch.
#NASCARPlayoffs driver Austin Dillon in trouble!
— #NASCARPlayoffs on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) October 11, 2020
He gets into the wall and flattens all four tires. TV: @nbc
STREAM: https://t.co/wKDI0aNMYn pic.twitter.com/0ExVQrd8pJ
#NASCAR ... Kyle Busch on contact with Austin Dillon. "My bad. This sucks."
— Dustin Long (@dustinlong) October 11, 2020
4:37 p.m.: Back to green with 42 laps remaining.
4:28 p.m.: Caution for Ty Dillon.
"BACKING UP! BACKING UP! BACKING UP! - @Spongebob" - @TyDillon#NASCARPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/nlrBJkEG0n
— #NASCARPlayoffs on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) October 11, 2020
4:25 p.m.: Barring abundant cautions, this race might finish before rain rolls through.
4:16 p.m.: Hamlin gets into some trouble.
Denny Hamlin is straight up not having a good time.
— #NASCARPlayoffs on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) October 11, 2020
But with his win at Talladega, he's already advanced to the #NASCARPlayoffs. pic.twitter.com/smNIpHCJrC
4:03 p.m.: Blaney wins Stage 2.
Ryan Blaney wins Stage 2.
— Jeff Gluck (@jeff_gluck) October 11, 2020
Others getting stage points:
2. Elliott
3. Bell
4. Truex
5. Logano
6. Bowman
7. Byron
8. Reddick
9. McDowell
10. Keselowski
4:02 p.m.: Kyle Busch has a flat tire.
Kyle Busch limping around the track and says he's screwed: "Good job this year, guys. Sorry we had nothing of luck."
— Jeff Gluck (@jeff_gluck) October 11, 2020
The defending @NASCAR champion in trouble!
— #NASCARPlayoffs on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) October 11, 2020
Kyle Busch with a flat tire faces elimination today on @NBC. He'll likely need to win at the ROVAL. #NASCARPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/y7FGZNlrGP
4:01 p.m.: Back to green with two laps remaining in Stage 2.
3:54 p.m.: Caution for JJ Yeley.
3:46 p.m.: Ryan Blaney into the lead with 10 more laps in Stage 2.
3:42 p.m.: Now Almirola spins. Flag again remeains green.
3:41 p.m.: No caution for this, but it'll set Keselowski back.
Parallel Parking!@Keselowski's bizarre spin, called by @DaleJr, is just too funny. #NASCARPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/1mgTmv86ga
— #NASCARPlayoffs on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) October 11, 2020
3:19 p.m.: Ty Dillon wins Stage 1.
Ty Dillon is your Stage 1 winner at the Roval.
— Jeff Gluck (@jeff_gluck) October 11, 2020
Also getting stage points:
2. Bell
3. DiBenedetto
4. Byron
5. Hill
6. Newman
7. Blaney
8. Logano
9. Wallace
10. Jones
Only one playoff driver in top 10 that stage.
3:13 p.m.: Caution for John Hunter Nemechek.
NOT AGAIN! 😂@JHNemechek took a bit of the sign with him around the track at the ROVAL. TV: @NBC pic.twitter.com/D7zCF3ImyF
— #NASCARPlayoffs on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) October 11, 2020
3:11 p.m.: Denny Hamlin spins. Has some damage, it appears, but is still going.
Trouble for @dennyhamlin right after he puts on slick tires!
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) October 11, 2020
We stay green in the #BoAROVAL 400 as we reach the end of Stage One! pic.twitter.com/Nhe8gsCB45
Spin! Denny Hamlin is off course. No caution.
— Jeff Gluck (@jeff_gluck) October 11, 2020
2:59 p.m.: Clint Bowyer, who recently announced he would retire after this season, moves into first place.
Early drama in the #NASCARPlayoffs standings!@ClintBowyer goes to the lead looking to win his way into the Round of 8! pic.twitter.com/Z3myLb8Xwh
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) October 11, 2020
2:50 p.m.: Chase Elliott to the front.
Defending ROVAL winner @ChaseElliott moves to the lead!
— #NASCARPlayoffs on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) October 11, 2020
He's won the past three road course races. He's looking to join Jeff Gordon as the only @NASCAR Cup Series drivers to win four straight.
TV: NBC pic.twitter.com/Gv8Y34czB9
2:45 p.m.: Drivers seem to be taking a careful approach in Stage 1, not wanting to go too hard before getting a feel for the track.
2:36 p.m.: Brad Keselowski takes an early lead.
2:33 p.m.: Green flag!
For the first time EVER, the @NASCAR Cup Series is racing on rain tires!
— #NASCARPlayoffs on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) October 11, 2020
The track is wet, and rain's in the forecast. You don't want to miss this on @NBC! #NASCARPlayoffs
Stream: https://t.co/wKDI0aNMYn pic.twitter.com/tYYMowKoQH
2:29 p.m.: Engines are warm and we should be underway soon. Drivers are starting with rain tires on even though there isn't rain coming down at the moment. It's a precaution for a slightly slick track after previous downpours.
NASCAR start time today
- Date: Sunday, Oct. 11
- Start time: 2:30 p.m. ET
- TV channel : NBC
- Live stream : NBC Sports Go | fuboTV (7-day free trial)
The Round of 12 NASCAR playoff race at Charlotte on Sunday should begin soon after 2:30 p.m. ET. The temperature is supposed to be in the high-70s, and rain and lightning are considered likely. Charlotte Motor Speedway does have lights, but because of concerns about the infield brightness, a night race is not considered feasible.
The elimination race is 109 laps spread over three stages and will become official after Lap 55. The distance of the race is 250 miles.
NASCAR starting lineup at Charlotte
Here is the complete starting lineup for Sunday's NASCAR race at Charlotte:
| Starting spot | Driver | Car No. | Team |
| 1 | Denny Hamlin (P) | 11 | Joe Gibbs Racing |
| 2 | Chase Elliott (P) | 9 | Hendrick Motorsports |
| 3 | Brad Keselowski (P) | 2 | Team Penske |
| 4 | Kevin Harvick (P) | 4 | Stewart-Haas Racing |
| 5 | Alex Bowman (P) | 88 | Hendrick Motorsports |
| 6 | Austin Dillon (P) | 3 | Richard Childress Racing |
| 7 | Martin Truex Jr. (P) | 19 | Joe Gibbs Racing |
| 8 | Joey Logano (P) | 22 | Team Penske |
| 9 | Kyle Busch (P) | 18 | Joe Gibbs Racing |
| 10 | Kurt Busch (P) | 1 | Chip Ganassi Racing |
| 11 | Clint Bowyer (P) | 14 | Stewart-Haas Racing |
| 12 | Aric Almirola (P) | 10 | Stewart-Haas Racing |
| 13 | William Byron (P) | 24 | Hendrick Motorsports |
| 14 | Erik Jones | 20 | Joe Gibbs Racing |
| 15 | Ryan Newman | 6 | Roush Fenway Racing |
| 16 | Tyler Reddick | 8 | Richard Childress Racing |
| 17 | Ty Dillon | 13 | Germain Racing |
| 18 | Ryan Preece | 37 | JTG Daughtery Racing |
| 19 | John Hunter Nemechek | 38 | Front Row Motorsports |
| 20 | Matt DiBenedetto (P) | 21 | Wood Brothers Racing |
| 21 | Chris Buescher | 17 | Roush Fenway Racing |
| 22 | Brennan Poole | 15 | Premium Motorsports |
| 23 | Matt Kenseth | 42 | Chip Ganassi Racing |
| 24 | Ryan Blaney | 12 | Team Penske |
| 25 | Quin Houff | 00 | StarCom Racing |
| 26 | Bubba Wallace | 43 | Richard Petty Motorsports |
| 27 | Timmy Hill | 66 | Motorsports Business Management |
| 28 | Cole Custer (P) | 41 | Stewart-Haas Racing |
| 29 | Joey Gase | 51 | Petty Ware Racing |
| 30 | Jimmy Johnson | 48 | Hendrick Motorsports |
| 31 | Michael McDowell | 34 | Front Row Motorsports |
| 32 | Corey LaJoie | 32 | Go Fas Racing |
| 33 | JJ Yeley | 27 | Rick Ware Racing |
| 34 | Daniel Suarez | 96 | Gaunt Brothers Racing |
| 35 | Christopher Bell | 95 | Leavine Family Racing |
| 36 | Gray Gaulding | 127 | Rick Ware Racing |
| 37 | James Davison | 53 | Rick Ware Racing |
| 38 | Ricky Stenhouse Jr. | 47 | JTG Daughtery Racing |