NASCAR driver William Byron has responded to fellow driver Denny Hamlin’s sharp critique of the changes made to the Charlotte ROVAL ahead of this weekend’s race, which include new chicanes and sections of repaved track.
The Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL, which combines an oval layout with a road course, now features a new, extended straightaway leading into a 180-degree hairpin at Turn 7, alongside a reconfigured final chicane. These adjustments, intended to increase passing chances, are sparking controversy, especially as they heavily influence playoff outcomes.
Byron, competing under Hendrick Motorsports, is optimistic about confronting these changes. Byron noted the drivers’ need to adapt to the changes, commenting to the media:
“Well I mean, as drivers, we’re going to adapt and learn to whatever the challenge is, whether it’s dirt, this or whatever. Yeah, that’s all during the week speak, for sure.
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“Once you get out there, I know each person is going to put their full effort in; try to be openminded, learn and be good at it. So yeah, I don’t know how it’s going to change who’s good or not. I did, personally, like the old section. We were really good here last year, and really every year. It’s different, but we did simulation this week, and we tried to get through that section a little better.
“I do think, on paper, there’s really no other reason, it doesn’t look like. So it was just creating something different, probably, and making it just a different challenge, which probably creates some carnage, I guess.”
In contrast, Joe Gibbs Racing driver and 23XI Racing co-owner Denny Hamlin has raised concerns about the changes on his podcast, ‘Actions Detrimental.’ He explained, as previously reported by Newsweek Sports:
“The reconfigure was designed to create more chaos. You’re going to have to convince me otherwise of that.
“They make corners sharper and tighter. It was tighter in Turn 7 anyway, but now they made it to a point.
“So instead of you driving the normal optimum line to make this corner that is really really tight, tighter than the (LA) Coliseum.”
Chase Elliott also commented on the changes ahead of the race weekend, stating:
“To me, I kind of look at it like it’s a new race track, truthfully.
“That section of the track is going to change the entire flow of the lap there, so I’ve been kind of approaching it as a new track with my preparation.
“I’ve spent some time in the simulator, just trying to really memorize the track and where the little bumps are…
“Obviously, we have extra practice next week, so hopefully that’s enough to find a good rhythm and get a good flow for qualifying and then obviously for the race.”
