Critical Path Security 6 Drivers to Watch: Charlotte

Memorial Day Weekend marks the grandest day in motorsports on the calendar. Sunday will feature three prestigious races. Unfortunately, this year will mark the final time this will occur (in the near future at least). The morning will have F1 hit the streets of Monaco for their grand prix. Following that up with the Indy 500 in the early afternoon. The day is closed by one of the NASCAR’s crown jewel events: the Coca-Cola 600. It is a spectacle for any racing fan to enjoy. Additionally, the entire weekend is a special one for NASCAR. Charlotte is the home track for almost all of the teams. The teams spend the week hosting fans at their shops with driver appearances, vendor engagement, and special announcements. With all three series racing again this weekend, which drivers will be the Critical Path Security 6 Drivers to Watch in Charlotte?

Since he will not be featured below, Kyle Larson will receive the spotlight here. For the second straight year, Larson will attempt to run the double. Last year, his performance in the Indy 500 was an admirable one. However, a late race speeding penalty cost Larson a solid finish. The delay in the Indy 500 meant Larson did not start the Coca-Cola 600, as Justin Allgaier filled in. Once Larson arrived to the track, weather ended the race with Larson sitting on his pit box. The weather in Charlotte this weekend looks great, but there is an ominous forecast for Indianapolis. Will Larson actually get to the double this year or will weather again ruin the feat?

Coca-Cola 600

Austin Cindric

Austin Cindric is currently having his best season since his rookie year. Statistically, his 2025 is slightly behind his rookie pace. However, Cindric sits 13th in points with his Talladega win securing his spot in the playoffs. If not for his COTA penalty for right rearing Ty Dillon, he would be in the Top-10 in points. Much like his Team Penske teammates, his numbers do not represent how well the 2 team has been running. Cindric already is only 30 laps shy of setting a new career high. Most notably, Cindric has led double digit laps in 2 intermediate races. Heading into the Coca-Cola 600, the 2 team should feel sanguine about this race.

However, Austin Cindric might have some off-track distractions. After two of Team Penske’s IndyCar teams were cited penalties before Sunday’s final day of qualifying, Roger Penske fired three top executives. Among those who were fired included Tim Cindric. As one could imagine, this sparked online curiosity about the job security for Ausitn Cindric. While Cindric’s job status might have been an interesting question before the season, it seems silly to consider it now. Cindric has been living up to being third billing in the Penske camp. He has won a race in back-to-back seasons and 3 of the past 4. Barring an unexpected departure of a top name from a different team, there are not a lot of better options available either. What would help quiet down the murmurs would be a strong performance this weekend. With his recent history, Cindric should be in line to do that.

Shane van Gisbergen

To put it bluntly, it has been a tough season for Shane van Gisbergen. Currently, only Cody Ware sits below him in the points standings. His lone Top-10 came at COTA, which could be considered a disappointment with his road course expectations. There was an expectation that Gisbergen would struggle in his rookie season, especially considering limited practice still. Some of SVG’s best performances have arrived when the Cup Series receives 50 minutes of practice rather than the measly 20. For example, last weekend at North Wilkesboro. With the extended practice, Shane van Gisbergen qualified on pole for The Open and ran upfront for the first half of the race.

This weekend does not see an extended practice. However, this will be Shane van Gisbergen’s second Coca-Cola 600 start. Plus, there is plenty to learn over 600 miles. As the race progresses, Gisbergen should pick up speed and work his way forward. Why would this be the case? Well that has been seen at certain tracks for New Zealander. Darlington and Kansas were Top-20s for SVG, which arrived via grinding out the race and slowly progressing forward. If the 88 team can keep the car on the lead lap, then they can take advantage of SVG gaining confidence as the race goes on. While a Top-10 might be a bit too ambitious for a goal this weekend, certainly a Top-15 could be achievable.

BetMGM 300

Justin Allgaier

One of the favorites heading into this weekend’s Xfinity Series race will be Justin Allgaier. In his past 3 Charlotte races, Allgaier has managed to lead at least 40 laps in each of them. Allgaier has been the class of the Xfinity Series on intermediate tracks. So far this season, the 7 team has racked up 2 wins on intermediates (Las Vegas and Homestead). Although there are a handful of Cup drivers invading the BetMGM 300, Allgaier has proven the ability to compete with the stiffer competition.

What this race may come down to is survival. Last year, Allgaier looked to have a car that could win. However, he got caught up in a late race wreck and finished in the garage. This race could turn into one of attrition. Not necessarily from the equipment standpoint, but the drivers. Notably, Austin Hill wrecked Cole Custer in the closing laps after losing his cool. With some of the frontrunners known for their short tempers, Allgaier (or any contender) could find themselves caught up in someone else’s doing. If Justin Allgaier can get out front and away from the competition, then he could set sail to victory like he did in 2023.

Connor Zilisch

The last lap wreck at Talladega put Connor Zilisch on the shelf for a few weeks. While he missed the Texas race, luckily the injury timed up with a brief hiatus in the Xfinity Series schedule. Zilisch did miss the Truck Series race in Kansas he was slotted to run, but recovering from a back injury is more important than that seat time. Now, Zilisch is healthy again and ready to return to the 88 car. The last time that car hit the track, it picked up a win with Kyle Larson behind the wheel. This team has proven to have race winning speed on intermediates. Can Connor Zilisch bring the same level of performance though?

Thus far in his rookie season, Zilisch has been impressive. While the road course win was expected, the Trackhouse prospect has flashed solid runs at a variety of tracks. He has led laps in 7 of the 11 races. His qualifying pace has certainly turned heads as well, with 3 poles secured and an average starting spot of 3.75 on non-superspeedways. The next step in his progression would be to maintain those solid starting spots throughout the race. Pure speed is good, but managing the race is where Zilisch needs to improve. Zilisch will be getting plenty of track time this weekend though as he is also running the Coca-Cola 600. Between the two races, he should gain plenty of experience to help him with his championship aspirations in the Xfinity Series.

NC Education Lottery 200

BJ McLeod

One of the coolest stories for the weekend is BJ McLeod driving for Spire Motorsports on Friday night. Piloting the 07 truck, McLeod is racing in the best equipment of his career. Mostly driving for his own teams, the Florida native has become one of the most respected drivers in the garage. It is a testament to his skill that other drivers feel they can rely on McLeod in the draft on superspeedways. Now, McLeod can demonstrated what he can do with good equipment under him.

The fairytale ending to this weekend would be the 07 truck visiting victory lane Friday. While everyone would love that, that should not be the expectation for BJ McLeod. Spire Motorsports did win the last intermediate race, but it was not clear they had the best truck that night. Spire should be giving McLeod a competitive truck, but race winning speed might be lacking. Corey Heim and Kyle Busch will be the favorites for the race. As for McLeod, a Top-5 finish certainly should be attainable. If he can hit that goal, maybe there could be more races for Spire Motorsports in the works later this season.

Tanner Gray

It has been a trying season for Tanner Gray. Currently sitting outside the playoff cutline, Gray has found himself hitting bad luck consistently throughout the year. On the plus side, his best races have been on intermediates. Could that be a positive sign heading into Friday night’s race? Maybe; Gray did pick up the ARCA Series win at Charlotte last year. Plus, he has sat on pole for the past 2 Charlotte Truck Series races. Unfortunately though, that is where the good vibes end for the younger Gray brother.

Despite an averaging starting position of 7.2 at Charlotte, Tanner Gray has only managed a single Top-10 in 5 races. Last year marked Gray’s second Top-20 at the track as well. Although he has qualified on pole the past 2 years, that has only translated to a combined 14 laps led. Whatever speed Gray has brought in qualifying certainly has not translated to the race. Maybe this year could be the change of fortunes for Gray. TRICON could certainly use that momentum change as well. Outside of Corey Heim, it has been a rough season for the organization. Between the other 4 trucks in the stable, they only combine to match Heim’s Top-5 and Top-10 output.

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