NASCAR Will Hold Bank of America 400 in Concord
The Bank of America 400 takes place at Charlotte Motor Speedway on October 11, 2026.
Updated on Oct. 10, 2026 in Motorsports
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NASCAR returns to the historic oval track at Charlotte Motor Speedway for the Bank of America 400 on October 11, 2026. This event serves as the sixth race in the 2026 Chase, featuring the current 16-team playoff field.
Why it matters
NASCAR moved to replace the road course layout with the traditional oval track configuration this year following widespread requests from the racing community for a return to the historic venue. The adjustment aims to restore the traditional character of the high-stakes playoff race.
The race begins at 3:00 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on the USA Network. In the 2025 Bank of America 400, the margin of victory was 10 seconds.
The players
Chase Briscoe
He is a professional NASCAR driver who recently won the South Point 400.
Kyle Larson
He is a veteran NASCAR champion known for his performance on intermediate tracks.
Ryan Blaney
He is a professional NASCAR driver who has been identified as a potential winner for this event.
Kevin Harvick
He is a former NASCAR champion and current racing analyst who provided his win projection for the race.
Shane van Gisbergen
He is the driver who secured the victory at the 2025 Bank of America 400 on the previous road course layout.
The details
Drivers enter the weekend with momentum after Chase Briscoe claimed victory at the South Point 400. Briscoe and Kyle Larson have recently dominated the top two positions at intermediate track races, making them focal points for competition at the Charlotte Motor Speedway oval.
Timeline
January 2026: NASCAR officially announced the return to the oval track layout.
October 11, 2026: The Bank of America 400 is scheduled to begin at 3:00 p.m. ET.
Season Trajectory
The shift back to the oval track layout fundamentally changes the competitive balance for the 16-team Chase field as they navigate the playoffs. By moving away from the Roval, NASCAR is prioritizing historical track characteristics over road course technicality to determine the season outcome.
The switch to the oval configuration significantly alters the track setup, meaning teams must rely on historical intermediate track data rather than recent Roval performance. Viewers should track how Chase Briscoe and Kyle Larson manage the transition given their recent success on similar intermediate layouts.
The takeaway
Fans can expect a different tactical approach from drivers as the playoff field contends with the high-speed oval configuration. Following the race start at 3:00 p.m. ET, observers should watch for how teams adjust their vehicle setups for this specific track geometry.
Further reading
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Source note: This article includes information reported by On3.
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Do you prefer NASCAR racing on traditional oval tracks rather than road courses?
