NASCAR Rumor: Roval to be removed from playoffs to prevent van Gisbergen from schooling all the NASCAR drivers
In a move that’s sending ripples through the racing world, NASCAR is rumored to be scraping the Charlotte Roval road course from its 2026 Cup Series playoff schedule, reverting the mid-October event at Charlotte Motor Speedway back to its traditional oval layout.
–by Mark Cipolloni–
This change, reported ahead of an official announcement, marks the end of an era for the hybrid “road-oval” track that debuted in 2018 and had become a staple of the postseason, often delivering chaotic and unpredictable racing.
The Roval, a 2.3-mile, 17-turn beast that blended road course twists with oval banking, was initially met with skepticism from drivers and fans alike. Yet it quickly proved its worth, producing memorable moments like Ryan Blaney’s improbable victory in its inaugural year. Over time, however, sentiment shifted. With an influx of road courses on the calendar—peaking at five in 2025—many in the NASCAR community, including vocal drivers, pushed back against the format. The Next Gen car’s strong performance on intermediate ovals, highlighted by standout races like the Coca-Cola 600, further fueled the call for a return to roots. Now, with Watkins Glen already out of the playoffs, the 2026 postseason will feature zero road or street courses, transforming it into an all-oval affair.
But let’s address the elephant—or rather, the Kiwi—in the garage: Shane van Gisbergen. The New Zealand Supercars champion turned NASCAR sensation dominated road courses in 2025, clinching four out of five such races, including a commanding win at the final Roval event on October 5, 2025, in the No. 88 Trackhouse Racing entry.
Van Gisbergen’s road-racing prowess, honed from years in Australia’s V8 Supercars, left many stock car veterans in the dust, exposing the skill gap on non-oval tracks. Under NASCAR’s “win-and-you’re-in” playoff system, these victories were golden tickets to the postseason. With the Roval gone, van Gisbergen and teams like Trackhouse face a tougher path, relying more on points accumulation across oval-heavy schedules where American-bred drivers traditionally shine.
This pivot isn’t just about track preferences; it’s a strategic recalibration. As NASCAR trims road courses overall, the focus sharpens on the high-speed, pack-racing drama of ovals that define the sport’s core identity. Drivers like Josh Berry, who wrecked out to a 36th-place finish in the 2025 Roval, or Christopher Bell, navigating its tricky turns, might breathe a sigh of relief. Even commentators like Jeff Burton, who once urged Charlotte’s leadership to rethink the Roval, have come around to supporting its evolution.
For fans, the change promises a return to the thunderous roars of the 1.5-mile oval during playoff crunch time, potentially reshaping championship battles. The Coca-Cola 600 will remain on the oval for Memorial Day Weekend, ensuring Charlotte hosts two oval weekends in 2026. Meanwhile, the Xfinity (now O’Reilly Auto Parts) and Truck Series will also ditch the Roval for the oval.
As the dust settles, one can’t help but wonder if this is NASCAR’s subtle way of leveling the playing field, ensuring that international talents like van Gisbergen don’t continue to “school” the field on unfamiliar terrain. After all, in a sport built on ovals, the road course experiment may have run its course—literally. With an official reveal expected soon, the 2026 season is shaping up to be a pure test of oval mastery.