By Reggie Gatlin-Holt

NASCAR Cup Series

Next Race: Go Bowling at The Glen

The Place: Watkins Glen International

The Date: Sunday, September 15

The Time: 3 p.m. ET

The Purse: $7,572,831

TV: USA, 2:30 p.m. ET

Radio: MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Distance: 220.5 miles (90 Laps); Stage 1 (Ends on Lap 20),

Stage 2 (Ends on Lap 40), Final Stage (Ends on Lap 90)

 

NASCAR Xfinity Series

Next Race: Mission 200 at The Glen

The Place: Watkins Glen International

The Date: Saturday, September 14

The Time: 3 p.m. ET

The Purse: $1,312,465

TV: USA, 2:30 p.m. ET

Radio: MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Distance: 200.9 miles (82 Laps); Stage 1 (Ends on Lap 20),

Stage 2 (Ends on Lap 40), Final Stage (Ends on Lap 82)

NASCAR Cup Series

 

Watkins Glen International to host NASCAR Cup Playoff race for the first-time

After a wild and action-packed NASCAR Cup Series Playoff opener at Atlanta Motor Speedway that has shuffled the standings considerably, the competitors now turn their attention to an updated Watkins Glen International for the Go Bowling at The Glen on Sunday, September 15, at 3 p.m. ET on USA Network, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio – the first of two road courses in the 2024 postseason (Watkins Glen and Charlotte ROVAL).

 

The Cup Series will encounter a few first this weekend, it’s the first time Watkins Glen International has hosted a NASCAR Cup Series Playoff race, also the 2.45-mile track has added new rumble strips and interchangeable curbing in the Inner Loop Chicane (a.k.a. the bus stop) they will have to navigate for the first-time, and Goodyear will be supplying a new tire that was tested recently, that should provide more fall-off than the previous tire.

 

Because of the latest updates, NASCAR has announced an extended practice this weekend, with the NASCAR Cup Series taking to the track on Saturday, Sept. 15 at 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. ET. The competitors will be broken up into two groups for this practice session and each group will get two 20-minute rounds to practice. Busch Light Pole Qualifying will immediately follow practice at 1 p.m. ET, both events will be broadcast on the NBC Sports App, USA, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

 

2024 NASCAR Cup Series Playoff Schedule
Track	Race Name	Date
Atlanta Motor Speedway	Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart	Sunday, September 8, 2024
Watkins Glen International	Go Bowling at The Glen	Sunday, September 15, 2024
Bristol Motor Speedway	Bass Pro Shops Night Race	Saturday, September 21, 2024
Kansas Speedway	Hollywood Casino 400 Presented by ESPN Bet	Sunday, September 29, 2024
Talladega Superspeedway	YellaWood 500	Sunday, October 6, 2024
Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL	Bank of America ROVAL 400	Sunday, October 13, 2024
Las Vegas Motor Speedway	South Point 400	Sunday, October 20, 2024
Homestead-Miami Speedway	Straight Talk Wireless 400	Sunday, October 27, 2024
Martinsville Speedway	XFINITY 500	Sunday, November 3, 2024
Phoenix Raceway	NASCAR Cup Series Championship	Sunday, November 10, 2024

 

Tidbits to know about NASCAR Cup Series Playoff Race #2

The 2024 season marks the first-time the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs’ second race has been hosted by Watkins Glen International and this is the first-time Watkins Glen has hosted a Playoff race in its history.

 

Watkins Glen International is the second road course to host a Playoff race in the NASCAR Cup Series, joining the Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL (2018-2024).

 

Watkins Glen International is the fifth different track in NASCAR Cup Series to host the second race of the Playoffs; joining Dover Motor Speedway (2004-2010), New Hampshire Motor Speedway (2011–2017), Richmond Raceway (2018-2021) and Kansas Speedway (2022-2023).

 

A total of 15 different drivers have won the second race of the Playoffs, led by Jimmie Johnson with three wins (2005, 2009, 2010); followed by Kyle Busch (2017, 2018), Matt Kenseth (2013, 2015) and Martin Truex Jr. (2019, 2021) with two victories each. 

 

23XI Racing’s Tyler Reddick is the most recent winner of the second race of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs, taking the win last season at Kansas Speedway (9/10/23).

 

Race No. 2 Of The NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs – Race Winners (2004-2023)
Date	Track	Playoff Race Winners
Sunday, September 26, 2004	Dover	Ryan Newman
Sunday, September 25, 2005	Dover	Jimmie Johnson
Sunday, September 24, 2006	Dover	Jeff Burton
Sunday, September 23, 2007	Dover	Carl Edwards
Sunday, September 21, 2008	Dover	Greg Biffle
Sunday, September 27, 2009	Dover	Jimmie Johnson
Sunday, September 26, 2010	Dover	Jimmie Johnson
Sunday, September 25, 2011	Loudon	Tony Stewart
Sunday, September 23, 2012	Loudon	Denny Hamlin
Sunday, September 22, 2013	Loudon	Matt Kenseth
Sunday, September 21, 2014	Loudon	Joey Logano
Sunday, September 27, 2015	Loudon	Matt Kenseth
Sunday, September 25, 2016	Loudon	Kevin Harvick
Sunday, September 24, 2017	Loudon	Kyle Busch
Saturday, September 22, 2018	Richmond	Kyle Busch
Saturday, September 21, 2019	Richmond	Martin Truex Jr
Saturday, September 12, 2020	Richmond	Brad Keselowski
Saturday, September 11, 2021	Richmond	Martin Truex Jr
Sunday, September 11, 2022	Kansas	Bubba Wallace
Sunday, September 10, 2023	Kansas	Tyler Reddick

 

• Drivers bolded went on to win title that season.

 

Three times the winner of the second race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs has gone on to win the overall championship – 2009, 2010 and 2011. 

 

When Dover Motor Speedway hosted the second race of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs (2004-2010), twice the winning driver went on to win the series title – Jimmie Johnson (2009 and 2010).

 

When New Hampshire Motor Speedway moved to the second race in the Playoffs (2011-2017), only one driver won the event and went on to win the title – Tony Stewart (2011). Stewart won five races in the 2011 NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs (a series-record tied with Kyle Larson, 2021) including the first two (Chicago and New Hampshire).

 

None of the Playoff winners at Richmond Raceway (2018-2021) or Kansas Speedway (2022-2023), when hosting the second race of the Playoffs, went on to win the title in the same season.

 

The worst finish by a driver in the second race of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoff schedule that went on to win the title that same season was:

 

• At Dover Motor Speedway – the 2005 series champion, Tony Stewart, finished 18th.
• At New Hampshire Motor Speedway – the 2015 series champion, Kyle Busch, finished 37th.
• At Richmond – the 2018 series champion, Joey Logano, finished 14th.
• At Kansas Speedway – the 2022 series champion, Joey Logano, finished 17th.
• Last season, Ryan Blaney finished 12th at Kansas and went on to win the title.

 

In 2022, 23XI Racing’s Bubba Wallace became the first non-Playoff driver to win the second race of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs’ schedule (2004-2023). Wallace was ranked 20th in the standings at the time of the win. 

 

Since the inception of the ‘elimination-style’ format in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs (2014-Present), six of the 10 winners of the second race of the Playoffs has earned a spot in the Championship 4 Round:

 

• 2014 – Joey Logano (New Hampshire)
• 2017 – Kyle Busch (New Hampshire)
• 2018 – Kyle Busch (Richmond)
• 2019 – Martin Truex Jr. (Richmond)
• 2020 – Brad Keselowski (Richmond)
• 2021 – Martin Truex Jr. (Richmond)

 

Playoffs Clinch Scenarios: Watkins Glen International

Below is a breakdown of the drivers that can clinch their spot in the Round of 12 in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs this weekend at Watkins Glen International:

 

Already Clinched

The following driver has clinched a spot in the 12-driver field of the next round: Joey Logano.

 

Can Clinch Via Points

If there is a repeat winner or a win by a driver who cannot advance to the next round, the following drivers could clinch by being 56 points above the 11th winless driver in the standings.  The same point requirements listed below would hold true if a new win comes from among Ryan Blaney, Christopher Bell, Tyler Reddick, William Byron, Alex Bowman, Austin Cindric, Chase Elliott, Daniel Suarez, Kyle Larson or Denny Hamlin.

 

• Ryan Blaney: Could only clinch with help
• Christopher Bell: Could only clinch with help
• Tyler Reddick: Could only clinch with help
• William Byron: Could only clinch with help
• Alex Bowman: Could only clinch with help
• Austin Cindric: Could only clinch with help
• Chase Elliott: Could only clinch with help
• Daniel Suarez: Could only clinch with help
• Kyle Larson: Could only clinch with help
• Denny Hamlin: Could only clinch with help

 

If there is a new winner from Ty Gibbs or another winless driver lower in the standings but still eligible to advance to the next round, the following drivers could clinch by being 56 points above the 10th winless driver in the standings.

 

• Ryan Blaney: Could only clinch with help
• Christopher Bell: Could only clinch with help
• Tyler Reddick: Could only clinch with help
• William Byron: Could only clinch with help
• Alex Bowman: Could only clinch with help
• Austin Cindric: Could only clinch with help
• Chase Elliott: Could only clinch with help
• Daniel Suarez: Could only clinch with help
• Kyle Larson: Could only clinch with help

Can Clinch Via Win

The following drivers would clinch on their win alone:

 

• Ryan Blaney, Christopher Bell, Tyler Reddick, William Byron, Alex Bowman, Austin Cindric, Chase Elliott, Daniel Suarez, Kyle Larson, Denny Hamlin, Ty Gibbs, Brad Keselowski, Harrison Burton, Martin Truex Jr., Chase Briscoe

 

Team Penske’s Joey Logano first to move on to the Round of 12

The entire Team Penske organization showed up to Atlanta ready for business, and the results are proof of the effort – all three Team Penske drivers led laps and finished in the top-10, including Joey Logano taking the first win of the Playoffs and earning himself a spot in the Round of 12.

 

Two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion, Joey Logano, is now the first and only driver to earn a spot in the Round of 12 following the Playoff opener at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Surprisingly, this is the first-time in his 11 postseason appearances he has won the first race of the Playoffs. Also, interestingly, Logano was eliminated in the Round of 16 in 2023, becoming the first defending Cup Series Champion to be eliminated in the first round of the Playoffs.

 

Maybe it’s the year that matters. It seems even year seasons are the one’s Logano’s tends to perform at a higher-level in the postseason, since the introduction of the ‘elimination style’ Playoffs in 2014 (2014, 2016, 2018, 2020, 2022) Logano has earned a spot in the Championship 4 Round.

 

Looking to Watkins Glen on Sunday, Logano has made 14 series starts putting up one win (2015), four top fives and seven top 10s. He finished 10th at Watkins Glen last season.

 

Comers & Goers: Playoff standings shuffle after Week 1 of the postseason

The NASCAR Cup Series driver standings have been shaken-up following the Playoff opener at Atlanta Motor Speedway with some competitors making positive moves and some looking to rebound after Week 1.

 

Positive Standings Movers:

Five postseason competitors moved up three spots or more in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoff outlook following Atlanta – Race winner Joey Logano (+8 positions, 1st), Ryan Blaney (+3 positions, 2nd), Alex Bowman (+6 positions, 6th), Austin Cindric (+3 positions, 7th) and Ty Gibbs (+3 positions, 12th).

 

Ryan Blaney is currently ranked second in the Playoff outlook, up 45 points on Round of 12 cutoff. The biggest point leads over the NASCAR Cup Series Round of 12 cutline after the first race of the Playoffs to miss advancing was 26 points by Kurt Busch in 2021, and the second-most was 23 points by Tyler Reddick in 2022. Blaney has advanced to the Round of 12 in six of his previous seven Playoff appearances, the lone exception was 2020 when he was eliminated in the Round of 16.

 

Also, it was a good points day at Atlanta for four drivers who gained 20 or more points on the Round of 12 cutline – Ryan Blaney (+32), Alex Bowman (+27), Austin Cindric (+25) and Daniel Suarez (+21).

 

Looking To Rebound In The Standings

With several drivers moving up the Playoff outlook, in return some have to move down four drivers lost three or more spots in the Playoff outlook following Atlanta – No. 1 seed entering the Playoffs Kyle Larson (-9 positions, 10th), Denny Hamlin (-5 positions, 11th), Brad Keselowski (-5 positions, 13th) and Chase Briscoe (-3 positions, 16th).

 

Two driver lost more than 20 points on the Round of 12 cutline after Atlanta – Kyle Larson (-20 points) and Chase Briscoe (-21 points). Both drivers were caught in an early incident at Atlanta and finished 37th and 38th, respectively.

 

NASCAR Cup Series Playoff Outlook
Following Atlanta Motor Speedway (Race #1 of 10) – September 8, 2024
Rank	Driver	Vehicle	Points	Race Wins	Stage Wins	Playoff Pts	+/- Cutoff
1	Joey Logano	22	2,054	2	2	12	In On Wins
2	Ryan Blaney	12	2,071	2	4	19	45
3	Christopher Bell	20	2,066	3	10	32	40
4	Tyler Reddick	45	2,059	2	3	28	33
5	William Byron	24	2,059	3	1	22	33
6	Alex Bowman	48	2,053	1	0	5	27
7	Austin Cindric	2	2,053	1	3	8	27
8	Chase Elliott	9	2,050	1	1	14	24
9	Daniel Suarez	99	2,048	1	1	6	22
10	Kyle Larson	5	2,041	4	10	40	15
11	Denny Hamlin	11	2,028	3	6	15	2
12	Ty Gibbs	54	2,027	0	2	4	1
13	Brad Keselowski	6	2,026	1	0	8	-1
14	Harrison Burton	21	2,011	1	0	5	-16
15	Martin Truex Jr.	19	2,008	0	3	4	-19
16	Chase Briscoe	14	2,006	1	0	5	-21

 

Teetering the Round of 12 cutline JGR’s Ty Gibbs looks for first win at Watkins Glen

Joe Gibbs Racing’s Ty Gibbs has been having a strong sophomore season making the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs for the first-time, and now the 21-year-old is looking to get his first win and advance to the Round of 12. Looking at Gibbs’ stats heading into this weekend, and Watkins Glen could be the place he get his first trip to Victory Lane.

 

This season, Gibbs is still looking for his first NASCAR Cup Series career victory but has managed to put up seven top fives and 11 top 10s in his 27 starts.

 

Heading into this weekend at Watkins Glen, Gibbs is ranked 12th in the Playoff standings outlook, just one point up on 2012 series champion and RFK Racing’s owner/driver Brad Keselowski in 13th – the first spot outside the Round of 12 cutoff, and 16 points up on Wood Brothers Racing’s Harrison Burton in 14th. Gibbs has been solid the road courses this season finishing in the top-five in four of the last five road course races, all but Sonoma this year.

 

The driver of the No. 54 Toyota, Gibbs, finished fifth at Watkins Glen last season in the Cup Series and has won at the 2.45-mile course in the NASCAR Xfinity Series in 2021. If Gibbs were to win this Sunday at Watkins Glen, he would become the fifth different driver to earn their first win at the historic road course, joining Steve Park, Marcos Ambrose, AJ Allmendinger and Chase Elliott.

 

First-Time Winners at WGI	Starting Pos.	Crew Chief	Date
Steve Park	18	Paul Andrews	Sunday, August 13, 2000
Marcos Ambrose	3	Todd Parrott	Monday, August 15, 2011
AJ Allmendinger	6	Brian Burns	Sunday, August 10, 2014
Chase Elliott	3	Alan Gustafson	Sunday, August 5, 2018

 

Below The Cutoff: The four drivers fighting to stay in the Playoffs at Watkins Glen

With one Playoff race in the books and two to go, Brad Keselowski (13th), Harrison Burton (14th), Martin Truex Jr. (15th) and Chase Briscoe (16th) find themselves below the NASCAR Cup Series Round of 12 cut line needing to bounce back this weekend at Watkins Glen International.

 

RFK Racing’s is one of two former Cup champions (2012 Keselowski & 2017 Truex) that are at risk of being eliminated in the first round after Atlanta. Keselowski is only one point back from Joe Gibbs Racing Ty Gibbs in 12th and just two points back Gibbs teammate Denny Hamlin in 11th, after he finished 19th in the Playoff opener. In his previous nine appearances in the Playoffs since the introduction of the ‘elimination-style’ format in 2014, Keselowski has advanced to the Round of 12 all nine times (2023, ’21, ’20, ’19, ’18, ’17, ’16, ’15, ’14).

 

Wood Brothers Racing’s Harrison Burton, in his first Playoff appearance this season, is 14th in the Playoff outlook after finishing 31st at Atlanta Motor Speedway. The 23-year-old from Huntersville, North Carolina, Burton, is 16 points back from Gibbs in 12th and 18 points back from Hamlin in 11th. The furthest the Wood Brothers Racing No. 21 Ford team has advanced in the Playoffs is to the Round of 8 in 2017 with driver Ryan Blaney. This season is the third-time the No. 21 Wood Brothers team has earned a spot in the Cup Playoffs (Ryan Blaney in 2017, Matt DiBenedetto in 2020 and Harrison Burton in 2024).

 

Joe Gibbs Racing’s Martin Truex Jr. is on a nine-race skid dating back to Nashville where he has finished 24th or worse in eight of the races, the lone exception was an eighth-place finish at Pocono. To start the Playoffs, he finished 35th at Atlanta. Now, the 2017 series Champion heads to Watkins Glen ranked 15th in the Playoff outlook down 19 points from his Joe Gibbs Racing teammates Ty Gibbs in 12th and 21 points back from Hamlin in 11th. In Truex’s previous eight appearances in the Playoffs since the introduction of the ‘elimination-style’ format in 2014, he has advanced to the Round of 12 all eight times (2023, ’21, ’20, ’19, ’18, ’17, ’16, ’15).

 

Stewart-Haas Racing’s Chase Briscoe was in the wrong place at the wrong time and was caught-up with No. 1 seed Kyle Larson in an incident early in the race that relegated the SHR driver to a 38th-place finish at Atlanta. Looking to climb from the basement of the Playoffs’ standings, Briscoe heads to Watkins Glen 21 points back from Ty Gibbs in 12th and 23 points back from Denny Hamlin in 11th. In Briscoe’s only other NASCAR Cup Series Playoff appearance he advanced to the Round of 8 (2022).

 

New York State Of Mind: NASCAR and Watkin Glen

Pressures to make the next round of the Playoffs are mounting as the NASCAR Cup Series prepares for the Go Bowling at The Glen at Watkins Glen International, this Sunday, September 15 at 3 p.m. ET on the USA Network, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Channel 90).

 

Watkins Glen International is the fourth of five road courses on the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series schedule; alongside Circuit of The Americas (Winner: William Byron), Sonoma Raceway (Kyle Larson) and the Chicago Street Race (Alex Bowman). After this weekend, the only road course left on the 2024 schedule will be the Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL on Oct. 13, 2024.

 

This weekend will mark the 41st running of a NASCAR Cup Series race on the historic 2.45-mile asphalt multi-elevational Watkins Glen International road course located near Watkins Glen, New York in the Finger Lakes region of the state.

 

Watkins Glen is famously known for the first post-war street race in the country, and the annual event was held from 1948-1951. After several events were held on the streets of Watkins Glen at a temporary facility, a permanent facility was opened in 1956 in the town of Dix, which borders Watkins Glen. In 1956, a 2.3-mile track was designed and constructed.

The first NASCAR Cup Series race at Watkins Glen International was on August 4, 1957 and won by owner/driver Buck Baker with an average speed of 83.064 MPH driving a 1957 Chevrolet. Baker led all 44 laps in the inaugural event.

 

Over the years, the Cup Series has changed the race length at Watkins Glen three times. The first NASCAR Cup Series race at Watkins Glen was scheduled for 101.2 miles in 1957, the second race was 161.7 miles (1964), and the third race was 151.8 miles (1965). Every race since has been scheduled for 220.5-miles (90 laps).

 

In 1992, the Inner Loop Chicane (a.k.a. the Bus Stop) was added to the layout giving Watkins Glen International its 2.45 distance. The famous Watkins Glen International road course underwent a repave in 2015, first complete repave since 1989. And new for this season, NASCAR has added new rumble strips and interchangeable curbing to the Inner Loop Chicane (Bus Stop).

 

In total 305 different drivers have competed at Watkins Glen in the NASCAR Cup Series in the previous 40 series races producing 22 different poles winners and 25 different race winners.

 

Five former Watkins Glen pole winners entered this weekend

A total of 13 different starting positions have led to victories in the NASCAR Cup Series at Watkins Glen International. The pole or first starting position is the most proficient starting position in the field, producing more winners (10) than any other starting position at Watkins Glen International in the NASCAR Cup Series (25%).  

 

NASCAR Hall of Famers Dale Earnhardt (1990, ’92, ‘96), Mark Martin (1993, ’94, ‘95) and Jeff Gordon (1998, ’03, ‘14) lead the NASCAR Cup Series in poles at Watkins Glen International with three poles each.

 

Richard Childress Racing’s Kyle Busch (2011 and 2017) and Hendrick Motorsports’ Chase Elliott (2019 and 2022) lead all active drivers in poles at Watkins Glen with two each.

 

This weekend, five of the 22 NASCAR Cup Series pole winners at Watkins Glen International are entered in the Go Bowling at The Glen – Chase Elliott, Kyle Busch, Denny Hamlin, AJ Allmendinger and Juan Pablo Montoya.

 

Active WGI Pole Winners	Poles	Seasons
Chase Elliott	2	2022, 2019
Kyle Busch	2	2017, 2011
Denny Hamlin	1	2018
AJ Allmendinger	1	2015
Juan Pablo Montoya	1	2012

 

Watkins Glen’s all-time Cup road ringers

For a long time in NASCAR road racing was a niche that not every driver mastered. Now a days, road course racing makes up 13.8% of the schedule (five events) and this year for the first time two road courses are in the Playoffs, making this weekend that much more important to the competitors’ championship runs.

 

The one driver that has mastered Watkins Glen International better than everyone else, is NASCAR Hall of Famer Tony Stewart, who leads the NASCAR Cup Series in victories at Watkins Glen with five wins (2002, ’04, ’05, ’07 and ’09)

 

The series record for most road course wins at a single track is six, held by NASCAR Hall of Famer Bobby Allison at Riverside International Raceway (1971, ’73, ’75, ’79, ’81 sweep).

 

Hendrick Motorsports teammates Chase Elliott (2018, 2019) and Kyle Larson (2021, 2022) and Richard Childress Racing’s Kyle Busch (2008, 2013) lead all active NASCAR Cup Series drivers in wins at Watkins Glen International with two victories each.

 

Hendrick Motorsports driver William Byron is the most recent winner at the 2.45-mile track, winning last season’s event by 2.632-seconds over second-place Denny Hamlin.

 

This weekend, nine of the 25 NASCAR Cup Series winners at Watkins Glen International are entered in Sunday’s race.

 

Active WGI Winners	Wins	Seasons
Kyle Larson	2	2022, 2021
Chase Elliott	2	2019, 2018
Kyle Busch	2	2013, 2008
William Byron	1	2023
Martin Truex Jr	1	2017
Denny Hamlin	1	2016
Joey Logano	1	2015
AJ Allmendinger	1	2014
Juan Pablo Montoya	1	2010

 

Quick Look: NASCAR Cup Playoffs’ Elite 16 at The Glen

Drivers are listed below by seeding heading into Watkins Glen International – Playoff Race 2 of 10:

 

Joey Logano (No. 22 Team Penske Ford)

• Heads to Watkins Glen ranked No. 1 in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs outlook with 2,054 points, and a win at Atlanta Motor Speedway to earn a spot in the Round of 12.
• Was eliminated in Playoffs’ first round last season, first to clinch in next round this season.
• This is his 11th postseason appearance and 10th since the elimination-style format was introduced in 2014, and he has advanced to the Round of 12 in all 10 appearances (2024 ’23, ’22, ’21 ’20, ’19, ’18, ’16, ’15, ’14, ’13).
• Has made 14 series starts at Watkins Glen posting one win (2015), four top fives and seven top 10s.

 

Ryan Blaney (No. 12 Team Penske Ford)

• Heads to Watkins Glen ranked second in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs outlook with 2,071 points.
• Up +45 points on the Round of 12 cutoff.
• This is his eighth consecutive postseason appearance (2024, ‘23, ‘22, ’21 ’20, ’19, ’18, ’17).
• Blaney has advanced to the Round of 12 in six of his seven previous Playoff appearances, the lone exception was 2020. 
• Has made seven series starts at Watkins Glen posting one top five and three top 10s.

 

Christopher Bell (No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota)

• Heads to Watkins Glen ranked third in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs outlook with 2,066 points.
• Up +40 points on the Round of 12 cutoff.
• This is Bell’s fourth consecutive postseason appearance (2024, ‘23, ‘22, ’21).
• Bell has advanced to the Round of 12 in all three of his previous Playoff appearances. 
• Has made three series starts at Watkins Glen amassing one top five and three top 10s.
• Leads active drivers in average finish at Watkins Glen with a 6.0 – one of only three active drivers with an average finish inside the top-10. 

 

Tyler Reddick (No. 45 23XI Racing Toyota)

• Heads to Watkins Glen ranked fourth in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs outlook with 2,059 points.
• Up +33 points on the Round of 12 cutoff.
• This is his fourth consecutive postseason appearance (2024, ‘23, ‘22, ’21).
• Reddick has only advanced to the Round of 12 in one of his three previous Playoff appearances (2023). 
• Has made three series starts at Watkins Glen putting up three top 10s.
• Among active drivers, second-best in average finish at Watkins Glen with an 8.3. 

 

William Byron (No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet)

• Heads to Watkins Glen ranked fifth in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs outlook with 2,059 points.
• Up +33 points on the Round of 12 cutoff.
• This is his sixth consecutive postseason appearance (2024, ‘23, ‘22, ’21 ’20, ’19).
• Byron has advanced to the Round of 12 in four of his five previous Playoff appearances, the lone exception was 2020. 
• Has made five series starts at Watkins Glen posting one win (2023), one top five and three top 10s.

 

Alex Bowman (No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet)

• Heads to Watkins Glen ranked sixth in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs outlook with 2,039 points.
• Up 27 points from the Round of 12 cutoff.
• This is his sixth postseason appearance (2024, ’22, ’21 ’20, ’19, ’18).
• Bowman has advanced to the Round of 12 in all five of his previous Playoff appearances. 
• Has made seven series starts at Watkins Glen posting a best finish of 14th (2022). His average finish is 21.4. 

 

Austin Cindric (No. 2 Team Penske Ford)

• Heads to Watkins Glen ranked seventh in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs outlook with 2,053 points.
• Up +27 points on the Round of 12 cutoff.
• This is his second postseason appearance (2024, ‘22).
• Has advanced to the Round of 12 in his only other appearance in the Playoffs.
• Has made seven series starts at Watkins Glen posting a best finish of 13th (2022). His average finish is 14.5. 

 

Chase Elliott (No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet)

• Heads to Watkins Glen ranked eighth in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs outlook with 2,050 points.
• Up +24 points on the Round of 12 cutoff.
• This is his eighth postseason appearance (2024, ’22, ’21 ’20, ’19, ’18, ’17, ’16).
• Elliott has advanced to the Round of 12 in all seven of his previous Playoff appearances.
• Has made seven series starts at Watkins Glen posting two wins (2018, 2019), four top fives and four top 10s.

 

Daniel Suarez (No. 99 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet)

• Heads to Watkins Glen ranked ninth in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs outlook with 2,048 points.
• Up +22 points on the Round of 12 cutoff.
• This is his second postseason appearance (2024, ‘22).
• Has advanced to the Round of 12 in his only other appearance in the Playoffs.
• Has made six series starts at Watkins Glen posting three top fives.

 

Kyle Larson (No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet)

• Heads to Watkins Glen ranked 10th in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs outlook with 2,041 points.
• Entered Playoffs as the No. 1 seed.
• Up +15 points on the Round of 12 cutoff.
• This is his eighth postseason appearance (2024, ‘23, ‘22, ’21, ’19, ’18, ’17, ’16).
• Larson has advanced to the Round of 12 in six of his seven previous Playoff appearances, the lone exception was 2016. 
• Has made nine series starts at Watkins Glen posting two wins (2021, 2022), three top fives and five top 10s.

 

Denny Hamlin (No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota)

• Heads to Watkins Glen ranked 11th in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs outlook with 2,028 points.
• Up +2 points on the Round of 12 cutoff.
• This is his 18th postseason appearance – most all-time (2024, ‘23, ‘22, ’21, ’20, ’19, ’18, ’17, ’16, ’15, ’14, ’12, ’11, ’10, ’09, ’08, ’07, ’06).
• This is his 18th postseason appearance and his 11th since the elimination-style format was introduced in 2014, and he has advanced to the Round of 12 in all previous 10 appearances in this format.
• Has made 17 series starts at Watkins Glen posting one win (2016), six top fives and nine top 10s.

 

Ty Gibbs (No. 54 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota)

• Heads to Watkins Glen ranked 12th in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs outlook with 2,027 points.
• Up +1 point on the Round of 12 cutoff.
• This is his first postseason appearance (2024).
• Has made two series starts at Watkins Glen posting one top-five finish.

 

Brad Keselowski (No. 6 RFK Racing Ford)

• Heads to Watkins Glen ranked 13th in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs outlook with 2,026 points.
• Back +1 point from the Round of 12 cutoff.
• This is his 12th postseason appearance (2024 ’23, ’21 ’20, ’19, ’18, ’17, ’16, ’15, ’14, ’12, ’11).
• This is his 12th postseason appearance and his 10th since the elimination-style format was introduced in 2014, and he has advanced to the Round of 12 in all nine previous appearances in this format.
• Has made 13 series starts at Watkins Glen posting four top fives and six top 10s.

 

Harrison Burton (No. 21 Wood Brothers Racing Ford)

• Heads to Watkins Glen ranked 14th in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs outlook with 2,011 points.
• Back +16 points from the Round of 12 cutoff.
• This is his first postseason appearance (2024).
• Has made two series starts at Watkins Glen posting a best finish of 18th (2022). His average finish is 30.5. 

 

Martin Truex Jr. (No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota)

• Heads to Watkins Glen ranked 15th in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs outlook with 2,008 points.
• Back +19 points from the Round of 12 cutoff.
• This is his 11th postseason appearance (2024, ’23, ’21 ’20, ’19, ’18, ’17, ’16, ’15, ’12, ’07).
• This is his 11th postseason appearance and his ninth since the elimination-style format was introduced in 2014, and he has advanced to the Round of 12 in all eight previous appearances in this format.
• Has made 17 series starts at Watkins Glen posting one win (2017), seven top fives and 11 top 10s.

 

Chase Briscoe (No. 14 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford)

• Heads to Watkins Glen ranked 16th in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs outlook with 2,006 points.
• Back -21 points from the Round of 12 cutoff.
• This is his second postseason appearance (2024, ‘22).
• Has advanced to the Round of 12 in his only other appearance in the Playoffs.
• Has made three series starts at Watkins Glen posting one top-10 finish.

 

For additional Playoff driver bio information, champion and Playoff stats and elimination grids please visit the following link on NASCARMedia.com: NCS Playoff Media Content Hub.

 

NASCAR Cup Series, Etc.

 

23XI Racing taps veteran Juan Pablo Montoya for Watkins Glen – returning to the NASCAR Cup Series this weekend will be veteran road course ace Juan Pablo Montoya, as he will pilot the No. 50 Mobil 1 Toyota for 23XI Racing. This will be Montoya’s first start in the series since competing in the series from 2006-2014.

 

“I’m looking forward to getting back in a Cup car and racing at Watkins Glen – a track I really enjoy and had the chance to experience earlier in my career,” said Montoya. “It’s an honor to celebrate the Mobil 1 team’s remarkable legacy in racing and be recognized for my contributions to motorsports. The Mobil 1 brand was one of my first sponsors when I started racing, so to represent the brand again as they celebrate this milestone will be so special. I’m also excited to work with 23XI and experience what the team is building.”

 

This will be Montoya’s first stint in the Next Gen car. Montoya has made seven starts at Watkins Glen in the NASCAR Cup Series, the last in 2013. In those seven starts, he produced a win (2010), three top fives, five top 10s and a pole.

 

Hendrick Motorsports looks to extend two road course win streaks – Hendrick Motorsports is riding two road course racing winning streaks heading into this weekend. Not only have they become the first organization in series history to win at three different road course with three different drivers a single season (2024), but they head into this weekend at Watkins Glen International having won the last five Cup Series races at the 2.45-mile track (2018-2023).

 

Hendrick Motorsports leads the NASCAR Cup Series in wins at Watkins Glen International with 11 victories among six drivers – Jeff Gordon (four: 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001), Chase Elliott (two: 2018, 2019), Kyle Larson (two: 2021, 2022), Ricky Rudd (1990), Tim Richmond (1986) and William Byron (2023).

 

Crew Member Spotlight: Watkins Glen International – This weekend at Watkins Glen International we wanted to highlight several of the team’s crew members that are from the surrounding areas of the track in New York.

 

NEW YORK
CREW MEMBER	ORGANIZATION	TEAM	ROLE	HOMETOWN
Thomas Heslink	Hendrick Motorsports	5	Rear Suspension Mechanic	Clymer, NY
Brad Robison	RFK Racing	6	Fueler	Groton, NY
Kevin Walter	Kaulig Racing	11	Crew Chief	Albion, NY
Dave Nichols, Jr	Team Penske	12	Tire Specialist/2nd Spotter	Macedon, NY
Aaron Kramer	RFK Racing	17	Lead Race Engineer	Wellsville, NY
Zach Yager	RFK Racing	17	Tire Carrier	Lima, NY
Jaik Halpainy	Joe Gibbs Racing	19	Race Engineer	Blockville, NY
Bryan Backus	Legacy motor club	42	Front Changer	Walton, NY
Austin Pollak	Legacy Motor Club	42	Car Chief	Johnstown, NY
Collin Hoeffner	Hendrick Motorsports	48	Tire Specialist	Bay Shore, NY
Evan Karl	Joe Gibbs Racing	54	Race Engineer	Ballston Lake, NY
CJ Winslow	Spire Motorsports	77	Mechanic	Elmira, NY
Peter Sospenzo	Spire Motorsports	77	Mechanic	Brooklyn, NY
Luke Lambert	Spire Motorsports	77	Crew Chief	Mount Airy, NY
Jason Burdett	Legacy Motor Club	84	Crew Chief	Arkport, NY
Eddie D’Hondt Jr	Trackhouse Racing	99	Car Chief	East Islip, NY

 

Milestone Watch: Watkins Glen – Below are the possible milestones that can be achieved this weekend at Watkins Glen or in coming weeks in the NASCAR Cup Series.

 

Starts

 

• Austin Dillon is expected to make his 400th NASCAR Cup Series career start at Watkins Glen International.

 

• Brad Keselowski is expected to make his 550th NASCAR Cup Series career start at Bristol Motor Speedway.

 

• Bubba Wallace is expected to make his 250th NASCAR Cup Series career start at Talladega Superspeedway.

 

• William Byron is expected to make his 250th NASCAR Cup Series career start at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

 

Poles

 

• Kyle Busch currently has 34 NASCAR Cup Series poles, if he were to win another pole, he would tie NASCAR Hall of Famer Ned Jarrett for 21st on the all-time pole winners list with 35 poles each.

 

• Joey Logano currently has 31 NASCAR Cup Series poles (tied with Kevin Harvick), if he were to win another pole, he would tie NASCAR Hall of Famers Fireball Roberts and Fred Lorenzen for 24th on the all-time pole winners list with 32 poles each.

 

• Martin Truex Jr. currently has 23 NASCAR Cup Series poles (tied with Ken Schrader and Jack Smith), if he were to win another pole, he would tie NASCAR Hall of Famer Alan Kulwicki for 33rd on the all-time pole winners list with 24 poles each.

 

Wins

 

• Denny Hamlin currently has 54 NASCAR Cup Series wins, if he were to win another race, he would tie NASCAR Hall of Famer Rusty Wallace for 11th on the all-time wins list with 55 victories each.

 

• Brad Keselowski currently has 36 NASCAR Cup Series wins, if he were to win another race, he would tie Bobby Isaac for 23rd on the all-time wins list with 37 victories each.

 

• Kyle Larson currently has 27 NASCAR Cup Series wins, if he were to win another race, he would tie Carl Edwards and Rex White for 30th on the all-time wins list with 28 victories each.

NASCAR Xfinity Series

 

Up next: Road course racing at The Glen

The NASCAR Xfinity Series drivers will be back for some left and right turn action as they head to Watkins Glen International on Saturday, September 14 for the Mission 200 at The Glen at 3 p.m. ET (USA Network, NBC Sports App, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).

 

Watkins Glen International has hosted 29 NASCAR Xfinity Series races, producing 18 different race winners and just as many pole winners.

 

Nine Xfinity Series Watkins Glen races have been won from the pole or first starting position, most recently by Joey Logano in 2018.

 

Terry Labonte and Marcos Ambrose sit as the track’s winningest drivers in the series, each with four respective wins. Labonte won the inaugural race in 1991, followed by three consecutive wins in 1994, 1995 and 1996. Ambrose also had three consecutive wins (2008, 2009, 2010), followed by a win in 2014.

 

Three former Watkins Glen Xfinity Series winners are entered in this weekend’s race – Joey Logano (2015, 2016, 2018), Ty Gibbs (2021) and Sam Mayer (2023).

 

NASCAR Xfinity Series drivers will have a jam-packed Saturday as they kick off their race day with practice at 9:30 a.m. ET followed by qualifying at 10 a.m. ET. Both sessions can be streamed on the NBC Sports App.

 

Road course ringers: Watkins Glen edition

Shane van Gisbergen is an obvious favorite to win this weekend’s NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Watkins Glen International given that he’s won three out of the four road course races this season, but a few drivers might give him a run for his money.

 

There are three drivers entered in Saturday’s Mission 200 at The Glen who have conquered the track’s 2.45-mile course previously – Joey Logano (2015, 2016, 2018), Ty Gibbs (2021) and Sam Mayer (2023).

 

Mayer’s win came in 2023 after he took the lead from Gibbs with two laps remaining. He has made a total of three starts at the track, posting one win, one top five and three top 10s.

 

Logano, who will be running in the No. 15 Ford for AM Racing this weekend, has made 11 starts at Watkins Glen in the Xfinity Series, posting three wins (2015, 2016, 2018), seven top fives and eight top 10s.

 

Gibbs, who will be piloting the No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota, has made three Xfinity Series Watkins Glen starts, posting one win (2021), one top five and one top 10.

 

Xfinity Clinch Scenarios: Two to go in the regular season

It’s crunch time for NASCAR Xfinity Series drivers still vying for a spot in the Playoffs that are set to kick off on Saturday, September 28 at Kansas Speedway. With two to go in the regular season, things are sure to heat up as the series heads to Watkins Glen International. Below is a look at the clinch scenarios heading into the weekend:

 

Already Clinched

The following 8 drivers have clinched a spot in the 12-driver postseason field: Justin Allgaier, Cole Custer, Chandler Smith, Austin Hill, Riley Herbst, Jesse Love, Shane Van Gisbergen, Sam Mayer.

 

Can Clinch Via Points

If there is a repeat winner or a win by a driver who cannot advance to the playoffs, the following drivers could clinch by being 56 points above the 4th winless driver in the standings.  The same point requirements listed below would hold true if a new win comes from among AJ Allmendinger, Sheldon Creed or Parker Kligerman.

 

• AJ Allmendinger: Would clinch with 11 points
• Sheldon Creed: Would clinch with 31 points
• Parker Kligerman: Could only clinch with help

 

If there is a new winner from Sammy Smith or another winless driver lower in the standings but still eligible to advance to the playoffs, the following drivers could clinch by being 56 points above the 3rd winless driver in the standings.

 

• AJ Allmendinger: Would clinch with 41 points
• Sheldon Creed: Could only clinch with help

Can Clinch Via Win

The following drivers would clinch on their win alone:

 

• AJ Allmendinger, Sheldon Creed, Parker Kligerman, Sammy Smith, Ryan Sieg, Brandon Jones, Anthony Alfredo, Brennan Poole, Josh Williams, Leland Honeyman, Parker Retzlaff, Jeb Burton, Kyle Weatherman, Jeremy Clements, Ryan Ellis, Blaine Perkins

 

Can Clinch Regular Season Championship

Additionally, the Regular Season Championship could be clinched by the following drivers:

 

• Justin Allgaier: Could only clinch with help

 

Xfinity Series Playoffs outlook following Atlanta

With another win by Georgia native Austin Hill at Atlanta Motor Speedway, four spots still remain for the taking in the NASCAR Xfinity Playoffs with only two races left in the regular season.

Eight drivers have secured their spot in the playoff grid by virtue of wins, including Shane van Gisbergen, Justin Allgaier, Chandler Smith, Austin Hill, Sam Mayer, Cole Custer, Jesse Love, and Riley Herbst.

 

Currently, AJ Allmendinger (+144), Sheldon Creed (+123), Parker Kligerman (+74), and Sammy Smith (+44) occupy the final four spots that would place them into the playoffs based on points accumulated over the season.

 

Ryan Sieg (-44), Brandon Jones (-139), and Anthony Alfredo (-165) stand as the first three drivers out of the Playoff picture.

 

Here is the Xfinity Series Playoff picture heading into Atlanta:

 

NASCAR Xfinity Series Driver Playoff Projections Following Atlanta Motor Speedway – 09/07/24
Rank	Driver	Vehicle	Points	Starts	Race Wins	Stage Wins	Playoff Pts	+/- Cutoff
1	Austin Hill	21	795	24	3	3	18	In On Wins
2	Shane van Gisbergen #	97	574	24	3	2	17
3	Justin Allgaier	7	866	24	2	14	24
4	Chandler Smith	81	799	24	2	5	15
5	Sam Mayer	1	542	24	2	1	11
6	Cole Custer	0	832	24	1	3	8
7	Riley Herbst	98	693	24	1	2	7
8	Jesse Love #	2	693	24	1	4	9
9	AJ Allmendinger	16	744	24	0	1	1	144
10	Sheldon Creed	18	723	24	0	1	1	123
11	Parker Kligerman	48	674	24	0	1	-4	74
12	Sammy Smith	8	644	24	0	0	0	44
13	Ryan Sieg	39	600	24	0	2	2	-44
14	Brandon Jones	9	505	24	0	0	0	-139
15	Anthony Alfredo	5	479	24	0	0	0	-165
16	Brennan Poole	44	417	24	0	0	0	-227
17	Josh Williams	11	404	24	0	0	0	-240
18	Leland Honeyman #	42	364	24	0	0	0	-280
19	Parker Retzlaff	31	363	24	0	0	0	-281
20	Jeb Burton	27	348	24	0	0	-5	-296
21	Kyle Weatherman	91	325	24	0	0	0	-319
22	Jeremy Clements	51	321	24	0	0	0	-323
23	Ryan Ellis	43	308	24	0	0	0	-336
24	Blaine Perkins	29	261	24	0	0	0	-383

 

NASCAR Xfinity Series, Etc.

 

Dawson Cram running for DGM Racing – Dawson Cram will be getting behind the wheel of the No. 92 Chevrolet with DGM Racing for five Playoff races this season, starting with Kansas Speedway. He will then race at the Charlotte ROVAL, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Martinsville Speedway and Phoenix Raceway.

 

“I’m thrilled to join forces with the Gosselin family and Trade With the Pros,” says Dawson Cram. “This partnership provides us a unique opportunity to bridge the gap between race fans and financial education. I’m excited to showcase TWP’s commitment to empowering individuals through their programs and look forward to demonstrating that same commitment to them on and off the track this fall.”

 

COURTESY NASCAR COMMUNICATIONS