"Crazy things happen": HMS' Rick Hendrick cautiously watches as Chase Elliott & Co. teeters on the playoff edge

Hendrick Motorsports team boss Rick Hendrick is hopeful that all four HMS teams will advance into the Round of 8 as NASCAR heads to the cut-off race at the Charlotte Roval. However, he remained cautious, acknowledging the chaotic nature of the road-course oval hybrid circuit.

William Byron has secured his place in the next round, while Kyle Larson holds a strong 52-point cushion above the cutline, putting him in a comfortable position. Alex Bowman has a 26-point buffer, keeping him relatively safe, but Chase Elliott finds himself in a more precarious spot, sitting just 13 points above the cutline.

Ahead of the Bank of America Roval 400, Rick Hendrick evaluated his team's position going into the Round of 12 cut-off race. The HMS boss said that the organization had a great season overall, and hopes at least three of the four teams advance to the next round. However, he also acknowledged that "crazy things" can happen this weekend at the 2.28-mile circuit.

"I hope we can make it, but crazy things happen, we know. And so, you know, we've had a good year, and if we get them all four in or three in, it's been a great year. Got William [Byron] in, so I think [Kyle] Larson's in a pretty good spot. So we'll just have to see," he told Fox Sports reporter Bob Pockrass.

William Byron, already locked in for the next round, will flip the stages to contend for the victory this weekend. Kyle Larson can also switch strategies mid-race and go for the race win, while his HMS teammates Alex Bowman and Chase Elliott have to score stage points.

Both Elliott and Larson have won at the Roval, while Bowman boasts the best average finishing position (6.40) among active drivers, highlighting the potential for all four HMS drivers to advance to the Round of 8. However, the recent reconfigurations to the track layout introduce an added layer of unpredictability.

---

Star HMS driver Chase Elliott comments on recent changes to the Roval

Heading into the cutoff race at the Roval, Chase Elliott finds himself on the bubble, making a clean weekend essential to advance to the next round. However, the recent track layout reconfigurations — a hairpin corner in Turn 7, and a tighter final chicane — have raised concerns about drivers if it would add to the chaos.

Elliott remarked that the recent modifications have essentially turned the Roval into an entirely "new track." The #9 HMS driver has spent time testing the new layout on the simulator, focusing on getting accustomed to the finer details of the circuit.

"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... It's really about all I feel like I can do until we get some time on-track," he said via Speedway Digest.com

NASCAR Cup Series drivers will also benefit from the extended practice time. The Bank of America Roval 400 is scheduled for this Sunday, October 13, at 2:00 PM ET.