PAUL MENARD, MORE RECEIVE WARNINGS POST-CHARLOTTE

NASCAR gave warnings to several Sprint Cup Series teams for failing either laser inspection station or template inspection during last weekend's on-track action atCharlotte Motor Speedway for the Bank of America 500, including the No. 27 Richard Childress Racing team for driver Paul Menard.


The No. 27 team failed pre-qualifying LIS three times, resulting in a written warning and a loss of 15 minutes of practice time for this weekend at Kansas Speedway for the Hollywood Casino 400 (2:15 p.m. ET, NBC, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio). 


The No. 30 team of Josh Wise received a written warning and 15-minute loss of practice time, as well, after failing pre-qualifying template inspection three times. 


The No. 6 Roush Fenway Racing team ofTrevor Bayne, the No. 7 Tommy Baldwin Racing team of Regan Smith, the No. 20Joe Gibbs Racing team of Matt Kenseth, the No. 41 Stewart-Haas Racing team ofKurt Busch, the No. 42 Chip Ganassi Racing team of Kyle Larson, the No. 78Furniture Row Racing team of Martin Truex Jr., and the No. 88 Hendrick Motorsports team of Alex Bowman all received written warnings for failing pre-race template inspection twice.

The No. 17 Roush Fenway Racing team ofRicky Stenhouse Jr., the No. 20 of Kenseth, the No. 23 BK Racing team of David Ragan, the No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports team ofChase Elliott, the No. 31 RCR team of Ryan Newman, the No. 34 Front Row Motorsports team of Chris Buescher and the No. 43 Richard Petty Motorsports team of Aric Almirola all received written warnings after failing pre-qualifying LIS inspection twice. 


Stewart Haas Racing's Nos. 4, 10 and 14 teams -- wheeled by Kevin Harvick, Danica Patrick, and Tony Stewart, respectively -- failed pre-qualifying template inspection twice and received written warnings along with the No. 88 HMS team -- driven Charlotte weekend by Alex Bowman.

Both Newman and Patrick served their respective penalties in Charlotte. 

The No. 3 RCR team of Ty Dillon was the sole XFINITY Series team to receive a written warning after failing pre-race LIS twice. 

Sprint Cup Chase grid: Harvick, Logano headline bottom fou

Sunday was not a good day to be a driver in the Chase for the Sprint Cup after five of the 12 remaining finished 30th or worse at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Chase Elliott and Austin Dillon are tied at three points behind Denny Hamlin in eighth, the cutoff spot for the third round. Following them are Joey Logano and Kevin Harvick.
But it was business as usual for Jimmie Johnson at Charlotte, who won his track record eight race. He advances to the third round for the first time since the elimination format was introduced.
Immediately behind Johnson is Matt Kenseth (+31) and Kyle Busch (+27).
Click here to see the full Sprint Cup Chase Grid.

JOHNSON WINS AT CHARLOTTE, LOCKS IN ROUND OF 8 SPOT

Jimmie Johnson won the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Bank of America 500 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Sunday. The victory locks in Johnson's spot in the Round of 8 in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. Johnson had to overcome the No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota of Matt Kenseth on a late restart to take the lead back for good on Lap 317.

The Hendrick Motorsports driver led 155 laps en route to his eighth victory at the 1.5-mile track and his 78th victory in the sport's top series. Since the Chase moved to an elimination format in 2014, Johnson had never advanced out of the Round of 12.

Kenseth finished second, while Kasey Kahne finished third. Ryan Newman and Kyle Larson rounded out the top five. Of the top five, only Johnson and Kenseth are in the Chase.

Several Chase contenders had issues on this day. Martin Truex Jr. (No. 78 Furniture Row Racing Toyota) came to pit road in the top three for his final stop under caution on Lap 311, but his car stalled leaving pit road. That trouble led him to finish 13th.

Denny Hamlin (No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota) was running in second and had led 52 laps before his engine expired on Lap 307. Hamlin finished in 30th.

Polesitter Kevin Harvick had an electrical issue with his No. 4 Stewart-Haas Racing Chevrolet just shy of the midway point of the 334-lap event that brought his day to an early end. Harvick had spent much of his run in the top five before trouble hit; he finished 38th.

Joey Logano also had problems, smacking the wall twice due to tires going down over the course of runs. He went to the garage before returning 77 laps down and ultimately finishing in 36th. Last year, Logano swept all three races in the Round of 12.

A big wreck on a Lap 258 restart involving Austin Dillon's No. 3 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet, Chase Elliott's No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet and several others shook up the running order late and brought out a red flag. Both Dillon and Elliott were in the top five at the time and Elliott had led 103 laps on the day. The RCR driver finished 32nd, while Elliott finished 33rd.

The driver that started second, Alex Bowman, (who was filling in for Dale Earnhardt Jr. in the No. 88 Chevrolet) was involved in a Lap 61 wreck with Casey Mears that saw the Hendrick Motorsports machine suffer major damage to the right side and call it a day early with a 39th-place finish.

Sunday's race was initially scheduled for Saturday night but rain and remnants of Hurricane Matthew led to the race being moved to Sunday as part of a doubleheader with the NASCAR XFINITY Series race, which was postponed from Friday night to Sunday.

The Round of 12 will continue next Sunday at Kansas Speedway with the Hollywood Casino 400 (Oct. 16, 2:15 p.m. ET, NBC, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).

This story will be updated.

Charlotte Sprint Cup,XFINITY races both set for Sunday

RELATED: Weather updates from Charlotte | Update schedule for Charlotte

The effects of Hurricane Matthew reached far into North Carolina on Friday and Saturday as rain from the storm forced the cancellation of on-track activity at Charlotte Motor Speedway, including the postponement of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and XFINITY Series races.


Sunday will be a NASCAR doubleheader with two races the same day on the same track for the second consecutive weekend.


The Sprint Cup Series race is scheduled to start at noon ET, with TV coverage simulcast on NBC and NBCSN (PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio). The XFINITY Series race would follow, with a projected start time of 4:30 p.m. ET. It will be broadcast on NBCSN with the same radio coverage.


As of 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Hurricane Matthew was a Category 1 hurricane (down from a Category 4 on Thursday) and was causing severe damage along the South Carolina coast on its way northward.


Charlotte's NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race, the Bank of America 500, is the first race in the premier series' Round of 12 of the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup.


The Drive for the Cure 300 Presented by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NC is the final race in the XFINITY Series Chase's Round of 12. 


Two Sprint Cup Series practices were slated for Friday, and the NASCAR XFINITY Series was slated to have Coors Light Pole Qualifying as well. Those three events were canceled.

Sprint Cup race at Charlotte postponed to Sunday, noon ET

RELATED: Full Sprint Cup lineup | Weather updates

The Bank of America 500 at Charlotte Motor Speedway has been postponed to Sunday at Noon ET due to inclement weather, setting up a doubleheader for the second consecutive weekend. The Sprint Cup Series race will be broadcast on NBC, with the NASCAR XFINITY Series race following on NBCSN.



The decision to postpone from Saturday night to Sunday at noon was made at approximately 10:30 a.m. ET Saturday after rain pelted the track and surrounding area as the outer bands of Hurricane Matthew made their way through. Weather forecasts varied initially, but a change to Matthew's trajectory Saturday morning led to the call to postpone.


As of Saturday at 11 a.m., Matthew was a Category 1 hurricane after making landfall at McClellanville, South Carolina (about 55 miles southwest of Myrtle Beach), according to the National Weather Service.


Sunday will now serve as a doubleheader, putting on two races the same day on the same track for the second consecutive weekend.


The Sprint Cup Series race goes green at noon ET, with TV coverage on NBC and radio coverage on PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. The XFINITY Series race will follow, with a projected start time of 4:30 p.m. ET. It will be broadcast on NBCSN with radio coverage on PRN SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.


According to Charlotte Motor Speedway, the gates will open at 9 a.m. ET. Bank of America 500 tickets are valid for both races on Sunday; Drive for the Cure 300 presented by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina ticketholders will be admitted after the Bank of America 500 ends.


Sprint Cup Series drivers have one practice session and qualifying in the books at Charlotte. All events Friday were wiped out due to weather, which scheduled to be two Sprint Cup Series practices and XFINITY Series qualifying and that series Round of 12 finale.


Chase driver Kevin Harvick will start on the Coors Light Pole on Sunday afternoon with Alex Bowman, filling in for Dale Earnhardt Jr. in the No. 88 Chevrolet, starting second. Chase Elliott will start third, with Kyle Busch and Tony Stewart completing the top five.


As the storm moved up the East Coast, Daytona International Speedway suffered some damage. Atlanta Motor Speedway was offering help to displaced people, opening its campgrounds to those fleeing the wind, rain and flooding.

Kevin Harvick fastest in first Bank of America 500 practice

Kevin Harvick had the fastest speed in the first Sprint Cup practice session for the Bank of America 500 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Harvick posted a speed of 193.757 mph around the 1.5-mile track. He was the only driver to top 193 mph.

The No. 4 team was followed by Alex Bowman (192.885), Coke 600 winner Martin Truex Jr. (192.623), Kyle Busch (192.548) and Denny Hamlin (192.219).

Danica Patrick (45) and Kyle Larson (42) recorded the most laps in the session.

Kasey Kahne had the best 10-lap average at 188.561 mph.

HARVICK EARNS FIRST POLE AWARD OF YEAR AT CHARLOTTE

CONCORD, N.C. – Kevin Harvick may have won the pole for Saturday night's Bank of America 500 at Charlotte Motor Speedway (7 p.m. ET on NBC, PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio), but Alex Bowman continued to open eyes as a substitute driver in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.

Touring the 1.5-mile speedway in 27.547 seconds (196.029 mph), Harvick knocked Bowman (196.000 mph) off the pole by a scant .004 seconds in the final round of Thursday evening’s knockout qualifying.

The pole was Harvick's first at Charlotte, his first of the 2016 season and the 16th of his career.

"It was good in (Turns) 1 and 2, but I felt like I gave up a little something in (Turns) 3 and 4 coming to the checkered," Harvick said of his lap in the money round. "This has just been a fun car to drive today. Hopefully we can get it dialed in race trim."

Where Harvick gave up speed in the final two corners, Bowman likely lost the pole in the first two turns, where he drifted up the track slightly and scrubbed off just enough speed to fall short of Harvick by the minute fraction of a second.

Nevertheless, driving in place of Dale Earnhardt Jr. in six of the last seven races of the season while Earnhardt recovers from a concussion, Bowman stole the show.

"The Showman Bowman was fast tonight," Earnhardt tweeted after the final round. "Great job @AlexBRacing and @AxaltaRacing gang. P2 @CLTMotorSpdwy."

Bowman, the fastest of the non-Chase drivers in time trials, recently posted his career-best NASCAR Sprint Cup Series finish, a 10th at Chicagoland Speedway. Though Bowman continues to show excellent speed as a substitute, he has no definite plans for next year.

But he came tantalizingly close to a monumental achievement on Thursday night.

"Honestly, we didn't put the greatest lap together," said Bowman, who ran the fastest lap of the day in the second round (196.200 mph). "In (Turns) 1 and 2, we were a little free in (into the corner) and didn't really keep it on the bottom like I needed to.

"Turns 3 and 4 were really good. It means so much for Hendrick Motorsports to take a chance on me for these races. I'm really thankful to be here. I hate that we didn’t get the pole. We were so close. It's definitely my best starting spot by a bunch, but you'd always like that pole."

Chase drivers claimed eight of the top-12 starting positions, with Chase Elliott qualifying third, Kyle Busch fourth, Martin Truex Jr., seventh, Carl Edwards eighth, Denny Hamlin ninth, Joey Logano 10th and Jimmie Johnson 11th.

Chase drivers Matt Kenseth (17th), Austin Dillon (19th), Brad Keselowski (20th) and Kurt Busch (23rd) failed to advance to the final round.

"I don't think anybody knew that we could go as fast as Bowman went in that second round," Edwards said. "That kind of raised the stakes for everyone."

Notes: Danica Patrick will start 13th, her second-best effort this year after qualifying 11th at Sonoma in June. Patrick just missed advancing to the final round; Johnson edged her for the 12th and final position by .012 seconds… Hendrick Motorsports continued to show improved speed, putting all four of its cars in the top 12 (with Kasey Kahne in 12th joining Bowman, Elliott and Johnson). Hendrick-powered cars claimed four of the top five spots on the grid, with Harvick on the pole and Tony Stewart fifth.

TOP CONSECUTIVE 10-LAP AVERAGES FOR CHARLOTTE

Practice 1: Results

Pos	Car	Driver	From Lap	To Lap	Avg Speed
1	5	Kasey Kahne	1	10	188.561
2	18	Kyle Busch	1	10	187.616
3	11	Denny Hamlin	1	10	187.460
4	21	Ryan Blaney	1	10	187.142
5	10	Danica Patrick	1	10	186.963
6	2	Brad Keselowski	24	33	186.583
7	20	Matt Kenseth	22	31	185.711
8	19	Carl Edwards	15	24	185.626
9	42	Kyle Larson	25	34	184.807
10	24	Chase Elliott	16	25	184.422
11	16	Greg Biffle	18	27	184.151
12	1	Jamie McMurray	20	29	184.030
13	27	Paul Menard	19	28	184.012
14	17	Ricky Stenhouse Jr.	20	29	183.871
15	38	Landon Cassill	26	35	183.391
16	34	Chris Buescher	16	25	181.431

* Car must run 10 consecutive laps on the track to be included in the above charts.

HARVICK LEADS FIRST CHARLOTTE SPRINT CUP PRACTICE

RELATED: Complete practice results | Best 10 consecutive lap averages

Kevin Harvick topped the leaderboard in Thursday’s first Sprint Cup Series practice at Charlotte Motor Speedway at 193.757 mph in the No. 4 Stewart-Haas Racing Chevrolet.

Right behind him was Alex Bowman, subbing for Dale Earnhardt Jr. in the No. 88 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet at 192.885 mph.

Rounding out the top five were Sprint Cup Series points leader Martin Truex Jr. in the No. 78 Furniture Row Racing Toyota at 192.623 mph, Kyle Busch in the No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota at 192.548 mph and Denny Hamlin in the No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota 192.219 mph.

Coors Light Pole Qualifying is the next scheduled Sprint Cup event at 7:20 p.m. ET (NBCSN/NBC Sports App). The next Sprint Cup practice session is scheduled for Friday at 3:30 p.m. ET (NBCSN, NBC Sports App).

NASCAR, CHARLOTTE KEEPING EYE ON HURRICANE MATTHEW

RELATED: Truex discusses weather's impact on game plan | Weather updates


NASCAR officials said they are closely monitoring the track of Hurricane Matthew ahead of Saturday night's race at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

No decision has been made that would potentially alter the status of Saturday night's Bank of America 500 (7 p.m. ET, NBC, PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio), the fourth event in the 10-race Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup playoffs.


Weather outlooks for Thursday's on-track activity are encouraging, but rain is currently forecast Friday and early Saturday, according to the National Weather Service. The next race in the XFINITY Series Chase -- the Drive for the Cure 300 Presented by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NC -- is scheduled for Friday (8 p.m. ET, NBCSN, PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).

As of noon ET Thursday, Matthew was a Category 4 hurricane lashing the Bahamas and threatening landfall on Florida's Eastern coastline. Hurricane warnings stretched from just north of Miami to southern South Carolina.

Charlotte Motor Speedway is located in Concord, North Carolina, roughly 200 miles inland. The latest proposed track for the storm projects a looping course away from North Carolina, which could spare the state from the brunt of its damage.

The looming hurricane leaves teams plotting strategies for Thursday's on-track action, particularly the first afternoon practice.

"I feel like we're going to race Saturday night, but you never know with the weather," Martin Truex Jr. said. "We're definitely going to do a little race trim (Thursday), which is uncharacteristic for our group."


Daytona International Speedway, located in the heart of the storm's potential route, faces a more imminent hurricane threat. The 2.5-mile track closed its track tour and ticketing operations Thursday and Friday in advance of the worsening weather in Daytona Beach, Florida.

The National Weather Service's Thursday morning forecast for Daytona and its vicinity called Matthew the strongest hurricane to affect Florida's eastern central region in decades.

"We are working closely with local officials here in Volusia County and throughout the region to monitor Hurricane Matthew and to ensure that our facility is as secured as possible," track officials said in a statement. "While it is too early to predict the effect and exact path of the storm, our team has prepared extensively for weather systems such as this and our emergency safety procedures are in place."

Atlanta Motor Speedway is doing its part to help with the relief efforts. The 1.54-mile Georgia track has opened its campgrounds as a free-of-charge refuge for storm evacuees.

Cain: For breast cancer survivors, Charlotte is 'their race'

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The good vibes were easy to feel as one pink shirt after another crowded around the Charlotte Motor Speedway Victory Lane and pit road, where NASCAR stars mingled with breast cancer survivors and their families.

Six-time Sprint Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson joined United States soccer legend Mia Hamm greeting people and ultimately delivering encouraging words to the crowd of nearly 500 gathered to kick off October's Breast Cancer Awareness campaign.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina -- for whom Johnson and Hamm are "ambassadors" -- along with the track brought everyone together to paint the speedway's pit wall pink in a visible reminder of this disease that has affected so many people on some level.

"The NASCAR industry has always been so supportive of these kind of causes and teams have adopted the pink color for October for years," the No. 48 Lowe's Chevrolet driver Johnson explained between posing for photos, painting the pit wall pink and delivering an inspiring message to those attending. "We have pink trim on our hats and it's been on race cars. The support has been there. It's important to be a part of this and raise awareness.

"The great thing is if you detect it early there really is something you can do about it. And this event also raises awareness for kids so they grow up knowing it's a priority. As a father (of two young girls), that's definitely something on my radar."

Drivers Elliott Sadler, Blake Koch and Jeb Burton were also among the sport's stars there generously offering a friendly smile or gentle hug to survivors and greeting others who came to show support for family members and friends. These drivers are all too familiar with the devastating effects of this disease because their mothers have fought through diagnosis and treatment.

Being trackside with so many people who care was a transformative event for so many patients, who for at least one morning could take a deep breath and replace their pain and worry with the feeling of gratitude and hope.

And that is the whole reason behind this. Drivers who spend their weekends so tense and focused were at the track last Wednesday able to show how much they genuinely care, just in taking the time to be there, posing for a photo or sharing a paintbrush dripping pink.

"This is very personal to me and my family," said XFINITY Series Chase participant Sadler. "To see what our NASCAR community does for breast cancer awareness, for all the pink race cars, the uniforms, the pink trophies, the pink pace car and Charlotte Motor Speedway taking it a step further today. Look at all the breast cancer survivors we have here today. To paint the wall means so much to people affected by it.

"This is by far my mom's favorite race of the year, by far all because we get to run a pink car. I have an amazing sponsor, OneMain Financial, that lets me run a pink car for this race giving up their colors. What I've learned from my mom and other breast cancer survivors, this is their race. They've been through so much, this is a celebration of life, a time to forget about the bad and cherish the good. And that is a neat concept and a neat way to look at it."

Driver Jeb Burton's mother Tabitha is another breast cancer patient. She and I were diagnosed at similar times and have been supportive of one another while going through painful treatment and navigating the reality of this disease.

"She went through a lot and it's definitely hit home for us," said Burton who will drive the No. 98 Biagi-DenBeste Ford in Friday's XFINITY Series race at Charlotte. "This is a great cause and I'm thankful to be out here and paint the wall pink. Hopefully we can find a cure soon."


That is certainly the hope behind the easy smiles and loving hugs we all shared that day.

RELATED: Battling cancer, NASCAR.com writer finds strength in numbers

In the year since I finished my own harsh chemotherapy and radiation, I have lost a half dozen "chemo" friends to this disease. Some I was still too sick to attend their funerals.

The NASCAR community suffered incredibly sad losses to cancer in the last year including 10-year old Elijah Aschbrenner to Epithelioid Sarcoma cancer last November and Scott Zipadelli's 19-year old step-daughter Torie Costa to the disease (Rhabdomyosarcoma) last Christmas Day. Steve Byrnes, a popular broadcaster and my friend, passed away from cancer in April 2015; and another friend, longtime NASCAR journalist Bob Margolis, lost his three-time cancer battle just weeks ago.

Sherry Pollex, the longtime girlfriend of Sprint Cup Series points leader Martin Truex Jr., has battled ovarian cancer for the past two years.

Today, one of my dear friends is having breast cancer surgery. The follow-up and treatment of the disease afterward remains unknown at this point. Her children attend middle school with my daughter. And she was one of the people who immediately and lovingly cared for me and for my children when I was too sick to function during my own chemo. She brought dinner and comfort to us even when I was too sick to answer the door.

And now her diagnosis feels like a punch in the gut, such a cruel twist.

It's my turn to be her source of strength and optimism. So many people cared when I was at my sickest. And now it's an opportunity for me to be there for them.

I am aware like I've never been before. This disease has a way of humbling you and simultaneously motivating you to be a better person. It opens your mind to think more broadly, to act more swiftly. To realize you can care more.

When I left Charlotte last week after the event at the track I was full of gratitude, it was as if I had received a present for my soul. And judging by the smiles, hugs, even tears shared among the group, it was widespread feeling and greatly appreciated. 

"These amazing women, their stories and their fight, honoring them and their families and obviously the women that have passed, too," Hamm said of her time at the speedway. "It's important to continue telling their story of hope and determination and really empowering these women that are here to be proactive in their health. That's one of the reasons I feel so strongly to be a Blue Cross Blue Shield ambassador. It's really about empowering them to take care of themselves."


"This is one of the wonderful things that all the hard work I did in my career was able to do -- to inspire people. And in the end you pass it off to this incredible (NASCAR) race that millions of people will be watching to help spread the message of continued work and awareness for breast cancer."

By the end of the morning, it was truly, truly difficult to tell who was being motivated and who was doing the motivating.

And what an incredibly positive feeling to carry on.

Gus the Bandit strikes again, claims Charlotte Motor Speedway as victim

He gone done it again.


Gus the Irish Setter Landscaping Bandit was back at work Tuesday night, fertilizing the infield grass at Charlotte Motor Speedway, free of charge.


Thanks to those giant security/regular track lights atop the CMS stands, Gus' owner, Dale Earnhardt Jr., was able to catch the outlaw red-pawed.

Gus fertilized the lawn @CLTMotorSpdwy tonight. pic.twitter.com/hkdfxdhwH1

— Dale Earnhardt Jr. (@DaleJr) October 5, 2016

As we all know -- or if you need an updated briefing on this high-priority case -- this isn't the first time Gus' clock has struck "2."

Last year, Gus introduced himself to the world by ... leaving Martin Truex Jr. a present in his bus.


RELATED: Junior's new puppy poops in Truex's bus


And then some "unnamed" pooch found out Joey Logano had to fifth-wheel it with Junior, Truex and their respective lady friends on the flight to Phoenix and took a stand (squat?) in protest.

When u realize "Dammit he's Tweeting a picture. There's gonna be like eight blogs posted tomorrow about this." #NASCAR (h/t @DaleJr) pic.twitter.com/TYSFWkjiuk

— nascarcasm (@nascarcasm) October 5, 2016

Of course we blogged about it. Gotta bring awareness to this heightened threat of future landscaping vandalism. Gus the Bandit must be stopped.

Heads up: Charlotte weekend

Here are the hot topics, trending news and key story lines to get you ready for this weekend's races at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

WEATHER

Hurricane Matthew could make this weekend very soggy. Or, Matthew could take a turn and not affect Charlotte weather much at all. Right now, the National Weather Service says a high of 73 and partly sunny Thursday, with Sprint Cup Coors Light Pole Qualifying scheduled for that evening at 7:20 p.m. ET. Rain is expected to roll in Friday afternoon after 3 p.m. ET, with a 60-percent chance of rain. The chance of rain rises to 70 percent Friday evening -- the XFINITY Series Drive for the Cure 300 Presented by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NC is scheduled for 8 p.m. -- and settles at 60 percent Saturday.

All of this is subject to rapid changes, however, with Matthew's path uncertain.

KEY TIMES



Sprint Cup Series: The Sprint Cup Series holds its first practice Thursday at 1:30 p.m. ET (NBCSN/NBC Sports App), with Coors Light Pole qualifying at 7:20 p.m. ET (NBCSN/NBC Sports App).

 The Bank of America 500 is at 7 p.m. ET Saturday (NBC/NBC Sports App, PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).

XFINITY Series: The XFINITY Series opens practice Thursday at 3 p.m. ET (NBCSN/NBC Sports App) and qualifies Friday at 4:45 p.m. ET (NBCSN/NBC Sports App). The Drive for the Cure 300 Presented by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NC is Friday at 8 p.m. ET (NBCSN/NBC Sports App, PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).



CATCH DRIVERS LIVE



We'll stream every driver press conference in the Charlotte media center at NASCAR.com/presspass. Click here for a full schedule. Click here to tune into the live stream.

LAST TIME

The Bank of America 500 in 2015 was rained out and postponed until Sunday, but Joey Logano didn't suffer any ill effects from the delay. Logano led 227 of 334 laps en route to the first victory of his dominating Round of 12 in which he won all three races (Charlotte, Kansas and Talladega). 

YOU SHOULD KNOW


• Joey Logano returns to the race where his (shortlived) 2015 postseason dominance began. Logano swept the Round of 12 a year ago, but hasn't been nearly as triumphant this season, with just one win at Michigan in June. Still, in Logano's last eight races this season, he's had only one finish outside the top 10, and that was a near miss (11th). Is he on the verge of rediscovering last year's magic?

• Martin Truex Jr. has won three of the last five races (Darlington, Chicago and Dover), which now gives him more wins this season (four) than in the rest of his career, combined. And who can forget how Truex Jr. led all but eight laps at this track in May at the Coca-Cola 600? He's en fuego.

• This is a cut-off race for the inaugural XFINITY Series Chase, with only Elliott Sadler and Daniel Suarez guaranteed trips to the Round of 8 by virtue of their first-round victories. Early title favorites Ty Dillon (ninth) and Erik Jones (10th) currently are on the outside looking in, and a Charlotte win would guarantee a spot in the next round.

THE FAVORITE

Martin Truex Jr. Is there anyone hotter right now? Truex Jr. won at both Chicago and Dover in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup's opening round. Now, he's returning to the track where he had one of the most dominating performances in NASCAR history when he led 392 of 400 laps at the Coca-Cola 600 in May. It's hard to bet against him right now.

Others to consider: Kevin Harvick, Jimmie Johnson.

THE SLEEPER

Austin Dillon. When Dillon needed a clutch performance last week in Dover, he came through with an eighth-place finish that pushed him through to the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup's Round of 12. Charlotte is Dillon's second-best track, with a 12.8 average finish. Is he ready for a breakthrough?


Others to consider: Chase Elliott, Denny Hamlin.

STAFF PICKS

Martin Truex Jr.: 3
Jimmie Johnson: 2
Kevin Harvick: 2
Brad Keselowski: 1
Kyle Busch: 1