No. 18 Monster Energy Toyota Supra News and Notes:
2020 NASCAR XFINITY SERIES PLAYOFFS: The top eight drivers among the group of 12 Playoff competitors will advance to the next round following the outcome of Saturday’s Xfinity Series Charlotte Roval race this weekend. Riley Herbst and the No. 18 Monster Energy team head to the much anticipated Roval at Charlotte Motor Speedway coming off a rough finish at Talladega. Their hope to advance in the playoffs is to finish higher in points above four other competitors or win the 67-lap event.
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: This will be Herbst’s first race on the 17 corner, 2.28-mile Roval. This means he will run this race as a rookie with no practice or any actual track time. So, simulator time at TRD is a key component for crew chief Dave Rogers’ and Herbst’s strategy for their preparation for Saturday. The No. 18 Monster team fully understands what’s on the line and are focused on the task at hand.
JGR AT THE CHARLOTTE ROVAL: Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) has 6 total starts at the CMS (Roval) in NXS competition earning two top-five finishes, two top-10 finishes. The team has led 24 laps and earned an average start of 15.5 and an average finish of 12.0.
RACE INFO: Drive for the Cure 200 at CMS (2.28-mile, Roval) begins at 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, October 10. The race will be broadcast live on NBCSN, SiriusXM Channel 90 and PRN Radio.
From the Cockpit:
Riley Herbst: ““I am headed to the Roval at Charlotte Motor Speedway for the first time. It will be strange to tackle such an important track with no actual laps, but Dave (Rogers) has placed a special emphasis on our simulator time at TRD and our teammate notes from last year. This Sim time is so key to get a feel and get a visual on the 17 turns. Like I’ve said before, me and my crew chief have learned a bunch and leaned on Drew Herring, too. The three of us kind of have horse blinders on and are only focused on Charlotte. After our finish at Talladega last week we find ourselves in a hole, but we still have a chance. We have a strong team and great Supras and we don’t give up. We absolutely need to stay out of trouble and earn as many points as possible and finish ahead of four of our playoff competitors in points. We are focused on being the spoiler and put our No. 18 Monster Energy Toyota Supra in victory lane and advance.”
TIL NEXT TIME, I AM STILL WORKING ON MY REDNECK!
