Charlotte Motor Speedway's 1.5-mile oval presents a unique challenge, demanding both speed and strategic execution. While the usual contenders loom large, several drivers offer compelling dark horse potential this weekend.
Top Dark Horse Picks
- Bubba Wallace (#23 Toyota): Consistently strong at Charlotte. His dramatic near-win in the 2022 Coca-Cola 600 and multiple top-10s, including seventh last spring, demonstrate comfort here. 23XI Racing's competitive intermediate package this season makes him a prime candidate to break through.
- Erik Jones (#43 Toyota): Quietly excellent on 1.5-mile tracks recently. Scored a top-10 at Kansas (similar layout) and showed top-5 speed at Darlington before late issues. Legacy Motor Club is much improved, and Jones has a history of solid Charlotte runs (average finish ~14th). Poised for a surprise.
- Chase Briscoe (#14 Ford): Showed top-10 pace early at Darlington and Gateway. While SHR's overall speed is inconsistent, Briscoe has flashed competitiveness on intermediates. Finished 9th at Charlotte last spring. If the team finds the right setup, he could quietly contend for a strong top-15/top-10 finish.
- Daniel Suarez (#99 Chevrolet): Trackhouse has proven capable on intermediates (Kansas win). Suarez finished top-10 in both Charlotte races last year. Needs to qualify better, but his race pace and Toyota alliance resources give him the tools to be a factor late.
High-Risk / High-Reward
- Carson Hocevar (#77 Chevrolet): The rookie continues to impress with consistent top-15 runs. Led laps at Darlington and Kansas. While Charlotte's difficulty is a step up, his aggressive style and Spire Motorsports' upward trajectory could see him sniffing around the top 10 again if things fall right.
- Justin Haley (#51 Ford): Has surprisingly finished top-20 in the last three points-paying Cup races at Charlotte. Rick Ware Racing has made noticeable gains. While a top-10 is unlikely, another solid top-15-20 run is achievable, exceeding expectations significantly.
Key Considerations
- Strategy & Tires: Track position is crucial, but Charlotte's abrasive surface requires masterful tire management. Dark horses excelling here can leapfrog faster cars.
- Restarts: Chaotic restarts offer opportunities for aggressive dark horses to gain crucial spots, especially late.
- Pit Execution: Minimizing mistakes on pit road is paramount for underdog teams needing every advantage.
Watch these drivers closely, especially Wallace and Jones, who possess the most realistic potential to challenge the favorites and potentially steal a win or top-5 result.
