Top 6 Playoff Drivers At Charlotte Roval This Weekend In 2025 That Could Cause Upsets

Urgency hits Top 6 this weekend at Charlotte Roval. The Round of 12 cuts to 8 after Sunday, and several big names arrive either surging or teetering. Reports from NBC Sports, Autoweek and Frontstretch show Chase Briscoe’s form, multiple drivers sitting below the cutline and fresh momentum for leaders – all setting up chaos. One surprise result here could rewrite the championship map; which underdog will you bet on to survive?

Why These six picks matter this weekend at the Roval in 2025

• 12 drivers enter the Roval; 8 advance to the Round of 8 this weekend.

• Shane van Gisbergen sits below the cutline after Gateway; faces must-win pressure.

• Chase Briscoe posts the best playoff form so far, threatening favorites at road courses.

The 6 picks that could redefine the Round of 8 this weekend

1 – Chase Briscoe’s hot playoff form makes him a genuine Roval threat

Chase Briscoe has the strongest showing in the playoffs so far and drives like a road-course sleeper, per Autoweek. If you liked bold underdog moves last season, Briscoe’s consistency at varied tracks suggests he can steal a top finish and vault up the standings.

2 – Alex Bowman is on the bubble; a single mistake costs him everything

Frontstretch listed Alex Bowman among drivers below the cutline after recent races, so Roval errors would be brutal for his Round of 8 hopes. You’ll want to watch his short-run speed in qualifying – if he starts inside the top 10, he might survive.

3 – Why Connor Zilisch’s points pace could quietly lock a spot for 2025 fans

NBC Sports notes drivers have clinched advancement by points; a steady weekend from a points-savvy driver could be decisive. If Zilisch keeps his composure, expect the math to work in his favor rather than a dramatic last-lap pass.

4 – Chase Elliott’s Kansas win gives him momentum; can he translate it to the Roval?

NBC Sports reported Chase Elliott’s win at Kansas, and that momentum often carries through to tricky tracks. If Elliott nails adjustments in practice, he turns from threat to favorite fast – are you ready to pick him for the upset?

5 – Christopher Bell’s points cushion versus road-course wobble – which wins out?

Bell sits high in the standings after recent races, but road-course setups can expose weaknesses; that tension makes him a must-watch. A safe, conservative run could lock advancement, while an aggressive gamble could backfire spectacularly.

6 – Josh Berry (and other bubble drivers) need damage-free laps to survive the cut

Frontstretch flagged several drivers – including Josh Berry and Austin Dillon – under the cutline, so clean laps matter far more than flash. If you root for scrappy comebacks, Berry’s steadiness could produce the weekend’s best headline.

The key figures that tell which drivers face the biggest risk this week

Three spots are locked; most drama centers on the remaining bubble drivers.

How these picks change the 2025 playoff picture by Monday morning

A top finish from any underdog here can knock a high-profile driver out of the Round of 8 and reshuffle championship odds. Will the safe, points-first strategy beat the aggressive, win-or-bust gambit this weekend – and who will you be cheering to survive?

Sources

• https://www.nbcsports.com/nascar/news/charlotte-roval-is-last-chance-for-cup-drivers-to-advance-to-round-of-8
• https://www.autoweek.com/racing/nascar/a68158300/chase-briscoe-strongest-nascar-playoffs-so-far/
• https://frontstretch.com/2025/09/07/4-drivers-now-face-playoff-elimination-after-disappointing-days-gateway/

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