Watkins Glen International prepares to host an intense Watkins Glen NASCAR weekend, featuring races across the Cup, Xfinity and Truck series from Friday through Sunday. The action kicks off with the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series’ Mission 176 at The Glen on August 8 at 5 p.m. ET, followed by the Xfinity Series’ Mission 200 at The Glen on August 9 at 3 p.m. ET, and culminating in the Cup Series’ Go Bowling at The Glen on August 10 at 2 p.m. ET. All events unfold on the 2.45-mile asphalt road course in upstate New York, drawing drivers vying for crucial points as the regular seasons wind down.
The Watkins Glen NASCAR weekend holds particular appeal for road course specialists, with Chevrolet dominating recent outings at the track. Chevrolet drivers have claimed nine of the last 11 road course victories overall and five of the last six at Watkins Glen specifically. Hendrick Motorsports stands out, leading in poles, wins, top-fives, top-10s, laps led and average finishes on road courses. Their drivers have secured five of the last six Watkins Glen wins, involving Chase Elliott with two, Kyle Larson with two and William Byron with one. This year, Hendrick has maintained at least one top-10 finish in all 23 races, extending a 31-race streak in the Next Gen car.
In the Cup Series, three regular-season races remain: Watkins Glen, Richmond and Daytona. With eight drivers already clinched—William Byron, Chase Elliott, Kyle Larson, Denny Hamlin, Christopher Bell, Ryan Blaney, Chase Briscoe and Shane van Gisbergen—others eye points or wins to advance. Tyler Reddick could clinch via points with help if a repeat winner emerges, needing to stay 113 points above the second winless driver. Drivers like Bubba Wallace, Joey Logano, Ross Chastain, Austin Cindric and Josh Berry could lock in regardless of finish under various win scenarios by higher-ranked competitors. A win alone would clinch for Reddick, Alex Bowman, Wallace, Chris Buescher, Logano, Chastain, Cindric or Berry. Ryan Preece needs a win plus 60 points, while Kyle Busch requires help even with a victory.
Storylines abound for the Watkins Glen NASCAR weekend in Cup. This marks the 42nd Cup race at the track, second-most for road courses behind Riverside’s 48. Only two of the last nine Watkins Glen races saw a driver claim their first win of the season: Chase Elliott in 2018 and Chris Buescher in 2024. Buescher, the defending winner, started 24th last year—the deepest starting position for a victor in 41 races there—and executed a last-lap pass on Shane van Gisbergen. Van Gisbergen, tied with Jeff Gordon for most consecutive road course wins from pole at three, could join Dan Gurney as the only driver with their first five Cup wins on road courses if he triumphs again. Chase Elliott leads with 11 top-five finishes in the Next Gen car on road courses, though none of his seven road course wins occurred in this era. Christopher Bell has four top-fives in the last five road courses, including a win at COTA this year.
The entry list for the Cup race includes 40 cars, featuring regulars like Larson, Elliott and van Gisbergen, plus part-timers such as Connor Zilisch in the No. 87 for Trackhouse Racing. Zilisch, a road course standout, will pull triple duty across series, driving the No. 88 for JR Motorsports in Xfinity and No. 45 for Niece Motorsports in Trucks. Other notables include Michael McDowell in Kaulig Racing’s No. 11 for his first Xfinity start since 2016.
Shifting to the Xfinity Series, this is the 31st race at Watkins Glen, with four regular-season events left and four playoff spots open. JR Motorsports has won all four road courses this season with three drivers and the last six road courses overall, including three straight at Watkins Glen. Connor Zilisch leads with five wins and four poles, while Justin Allgaier tops laps led at 686. Four drivers have clinched: Zilisch, Allgaier, Sam Mayer and Austin Hill. Jesse Love, Brandon Jones, Sammy Smith and Nicholas Sanchez could clinch via previous wins under specific scenarios, such as regardless of finish if a clinched driver wins. A win alone secures for Love, Jones, Smith or Sanchez.
The Truck Series hosts its seventh Watkins Glen event, the second of three road courses this year. Corey Heim, with three road course wins tying the all-time mark, clinched the regular-season championship. Two races remain before playoffs. Seven drivers are in: Heim, Chandler Smith, Layne Riggs, Daniel Hemric, Tyler Ankrum, Stewart Friesen and Rajah Caruth. Grant Enfinger and Kaden Honeycutt need help to clinch via points if a repeat winner prevails. A win clinches for numerous others, including Enfinger, Honeycutt, Ty Majeski and more. Notable entries include Kyle Busch, Ross Chastain, Christopher Bell, Chris Buescher and Zilisch, combining for 24 road course wins.
Broadcast coverage spans networks: Trucks on FS1, Xfinity on CW, Cup on USA Network, with radio on MRN and SiriusXM Channel 90. Practice and qualifying sessions dot the schedule, including Truck practice on FS2 at 11:30 a.m. ET Friday and Cup qualifying on truTV at noon Saturday.
The Watkins Glen NASCAR weekend carries historical weight. Opened in 1956 after street races from 1948, the track hosted its first Cup race in 1957, won by Buck Baker. It has welcomed series like Formula One from 1961-1980 and IMSA. Purchased by Corning in 1983 and later by ISC (now NASCAR), it underwent improvements, including a 2016 repave and 2024 curbing additions. The venue also hosted the 1973 Summer Jam concert with 600,000 attendees.
Recent track news enhances the Watkins Glen NASCAR weekend. Busch Light partners for naming rights on The Bog hospitality area, offering trackside views and perks. Drivers Brad Keselowski and Ryan Preece explored the Finger Lakes, with Keselowski visiting a summer camp and Preece touring Bully Hill Vineyards. Zane Smith joined Buffalo Bills training camp, engaging with fans and players.
For Southern Maryland readers, the Watkins Glen NASCAR weekend resonates through regional racing enthusiasm, though no Cup drivers hail directly from the area. Connor Zilisch’s recent successes, like his BetRivers 200 win, have thrilled local fans. Josh Bilicki, driving the No. 66 with Southern Tier Security sponsorship, adds a nearby connection. The event’s proximity to East Coast hubs makes it accessible for travel, boosting interest in road course racing tactics.
This Watkins Glen NASCAR weekend promises drama, with overtime finishes rare but possible, as seen in 2024’s first since 2011. As playoffs loom, every lap counts on this challenging course.
