Tensions are high and anticipation is running rampant amongst competitors as the NASCAR Cup Series prepares for the penultimate race of the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series regular season, the Go Bowling at The Glen at Watkins Glen International, this Sunday, August 21 at 3 p.m. ET on USA, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Channel 90).
Watkins Glen International is the fifth of six road courses on the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series schedule; joining Circuit of The Americas (Winner: Ross Chastain), Sonoma Raceway (Daniel Suárez), Road America (Tyler Reddick) and Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course (Tyler Reddick). After this weekend, the only road course left on the 2022 schedule will be the Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL (Oct. 9).
This weekend will mark the 39th running of a NASCAR Cup Series race on the historic 2.45-mile multi-elevational road course located near Watkins Glen, New York known as Watkins Glen International. Racing in the Watkins Glen area began on the streets of city, but after several events were held, a permanent facility was opened in 1956. The first NASCAR Cup Series race at Watkins Glen International was on August 4, 1957 and won by Buck Baker with an average speed of 83.064 mph driving a ’57 Chevrolet. 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).
The previous 38 NASCAR Cup Series races at Watkins Glen International have produced 22 different poles winners and 24 different race winners. 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. Joe Gibbs Racing’s Kyle Busch leads all active drivers in poles at Watkins Glen with two (2011, ‘17). Five of the 22 NASCAR Cup Series pole winners at Watkins Glen International are active this weekend.
| Active Pole Winners (5) | Poles | Seasons |
| Kyle Busch | 2 | 2017, 2011 |
| Chase Elliott | 1 | 2019 |
| Denny Hamlin | 1 | 2018 |
| AJ Allmendinger | 1 | 2015 |
| Kurt Busch | 1 | 2006 |
NASCAR Hall of Famer Tony Stewart leads the NASCAR Cup Series in victories at Watkins Glen International with five (2002, ’04, ’05, ’07 and ’09); one win shy of tying the series record for most road course wins at a single track at six held by NASCAR Hall of Famer Bobby Allison at Riverside Raceway (1971, ’73, ’75, ’79, ’81 sweep). Hendrick Motorsports driver Chase Elliott (2018, 2019) and Joe Gibbs Racing’s Kyle Busch (2008, 2013) lead all active NASCAR Cup Series drivers in wins at Watkins Glen International with two victories each. Elliott’s Hendrick Motorsports teammate and 2021 series champion Kyle Larson is the most recent winner at the 2.45-mile track winning last season’s event. Eight of the 24 NASCAR Cup Series winners at Watkins Glen International are active this weekend.
| Active Race Winners (8) | Wins | Seasons |
| Chase Elliott | 2 | 2019, 2018 |
| Kyle Busch | 2 | 2013, 2008 |
| Kyle Larson | 1 | 2021 |
| Martin Truex Jr | 1 | 2017 |
| Denny Hamlin | 1 | 2016 |
| Joey Logano | 1 | 2015 |
| AJ Allmendinger | 1 | 2014 |
| Kevin Harvick | 1 | 2006 |
All the NASCAR Cup Series on-track activity begins with practice (12:05 p.m. ET) directly followed by Busch Light Pole Qualifying (1:05 p.m. ET) and both events will be streamed on the NBC Sports App at noon ET or will be televised on the USA Network starting at 12:30 p.m. ET.
International Flair: Series record seven countries represented at Watkins Glen
This weekend’s entry list has an international flair with a NASCAR Cup Series single race record of seven different countries represented amongst the competitors for the Go Bowling at The Glen at Watkins Glen International on Sunday, August 21 at 3 p.m. ET on USA, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio; including the multiple drivers representing the United States, Daniel Suárez from Mexico, sportscar aces Mike Rockenfeller from Germany and Kyle Tilley from England, NASCAR Euro Series champ Loris Hezemans from the Netherlands, and a pair of former F1 drivers Kimi Raikkonen of Finland and the talented Russian driver Daniil Kvyat.
Prior to this weekend’s race at Watkins Glen International, the previous NASCAR Cup Series record for the most countries represented in a single race was six different countries and it has only happened twice. In both cases, the majority of the competitors represented the United States, but the five other countries were also represented in each event as well. The first instance was at Sonoma Raceway in 2010 with Jan Magnussen from Denmark, Juan Pablo Montoya from Colombia, Marcos Ambrose from Australia, Mattias Ekstrom from Sweden, and Max Papis from Italy. The second time it occurred was at Watkins Glen International in 2013 and involved Juan Pablo Montoya from Colombia, Marcos Ambrose and Owen Kelly from Australia, Max Papis from Italy, Victor Gonzalez Jr. from Puerto Rico, and Ron Fellows from Canada.
Trackhouse’s PROJECT91, Raikkonen to make NASCAR Cup Series debut
Trackhouse Entertainment Group’s PROJECT91 announced earlier this season that 2007 Formula One World Champion Kimi Raikkonen will become the first driver to join the team’s PROJECT91 program and will drive the No. 91 Chevrolet in the NASCAR Cup Series Go Bowling at The Glen race at Watkins Glen International on Sunday, August 21. PROJECT91’s goal is to expand the organization’s international reach by fielding a NASCAR Cup Series entry for renowned international racing drivers. Trackhouse Racing – a division of Trackhouse Entertainment Group – now fields the No. 99 and the No. 1 Chevrolets with drivers Daniel Suárez and Ross Chastain.
“Kimi Raikkonen is the driver I first had in mind when we created PROJECT91,” said Trackhouse owner Justin Marks. “Kimi is a world-renowned driver with a tremendous amount of talent and fan following.”
Crew chief Darian Grubb, winner of 23 NASCAR Cup Series races, will lead Raikkonen’s team this weekend.
“I wasn’t looking to race again, but Justin came to my home in Switzerland and convinced me how serious he was about putting together a top-notch program,” said Raikkonen. “This will be fun, but it’s something I will take very seriously. I know how competitive the NASCAR Cup Series is and it will be a big challenge.”
Raikkonen retired from Formula One in 2021 after competing with the Sauber, McLaren, Ferrari, Lotus, and Alfa Romeo teams since he started in 2001. The native of Espoo, Finland won 21 races and stood on 103 podiums in his F1 career.
This will not be Raikkonen’s first venture into NASCAR. He competed in the NASCAR Xfinity Series and the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races at Charlotte Motor Speedway in May 2011.
Raikkonen could very well put on a great show as three NASCAR Cup Series drivers have won at Watkins Glen International in their first appearance at the track.
| Winners in First Appearance at Watkins Glen | Season |
| Buck Baker | 1957 |
| Billy Wade | 1964 |
| Tim Richmond | 1986 |
Elliott can clinch Regular Season Championship presented by Coca-Cola at WGI
Hendrick Motorsports driver and current NASCAR Cup Series driver standings leader, Chase Elliott, can clinch the Regular Season Championship presented by Coca-Cola this weekend at Watkins Glen International in the Go Bowling at The Glen on Sunday, August 21 at 3 p.m. ET (on USA, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio) by scoring just four points. That’s right, four points. The Dawsonville, Georgia native has grown his points cushion over second place Ryan Blaney to 116 points going into this weekend in New York, so once Elliott gains four points and crosses that 120-point threshold, Blaney can’t catch him in just two races.
Though mathematically possible to not achieve the clinch this weekend, Elliott’s likelihood of becoming the fifth different Regular Season Champion on Sunday is quite good. If he accomplishes feat, he will join Martin Truex Jr. (2017), Kyle Busch (2018, 2019), Kevin Harvick (2020) and Kyle Larson (2021).
Playoffs Clinch Scenarios: Watkins Glen International
Several of the drivers that have already won this season and have earned a spot in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs still need to clinch their postseason position by earning enough points that no matter where they finish in the remaining races of the regular season, they will not fall out of the top 30 in points. Once a driver has achieved that points total, they have officially clinched a spot in the postseason. Below is a breakdown of the drivers that can clinch their spot in the postseason this weekend:
Already Clinched
The following 10 drivers have clinched a spot in the 16-driver postseason field: Chase Elliott, Kyle Larson, Ross Chastain, Joey Logano, Christopher Bell, Kevin Harvick, Kyle Busch, William Byron, Denny Hamlin, Tyler Reddick.
Can Clinch Via Previous Wins
The following drivers could clinch on previous wins with a win by Chase Elliott, Kyle Larson, Ross Chastain, Joey Logano, Christopher Bell, Kevin Harvick, Kyle Busch, William Byron, Alex Bowman, Denny Hamlin, Daniel Suarez, Tyler Reddick, Austin Cindric, Chase Briscoe or Kurt Busch:
- Alex Bowman: Would clinch regardless of finish
- Daniel Suarez: Would clinch regardless of finish
- Austin Cindric: Would clinch regardless of finish
- Chase Briscoe: Would clinch regardless of finish
- Kurt Busch: Would clinch regardless of finish
The following drivers could clinch on previous wins with a win by Ryan Blaney, Martin Truex Jr., Aric Almirola, Erik Jones, Darrell Wallace Jr. or Austin Dillon:
- Alex Bowman: Would clinch with 4 points
- Daniel Suarez: Would clinch with 22 points
- Austin Cindric: Would clinch with 40 points
- Chase Briscoe: Would clinch with 47 points
The following drivers could clinch on previous wins with a win by Chris Buescher:
- Alex Bowman: Would clinch with 1 point
- Daniel Suarez: Would clinch with 22 points
- Austin Cindric: Would clinch with 37 points
- Chase Briscoe: Would clinch with 44 points
The following drivers could clinch on previous wins with a win by Justin Haley:
- Alex Bowman: Would clinch regardless of finish
- Daniel Suarez: Would clinch with 3 points
- Austin Cindric: Would clinch with 20 points
- Chase Briscoe: Would clinch with 28 points
The following drivers could clinch on previous wins with a win by Ricky Stenhouse Jr.:
- Alex Bowman: Would clinch regardless of finish
- Daniel Suarez: Would clinch regardless of finish
- Austin Cindric: Would clinch regardless of finish
- Chase Briscoe: Would clinch regardless of finish
- Kurt Busch: Would clinch with 41 points
The following drivers could clinch on previous wins with a win by Cole Custer:
- Alex Bowman: Would clinch regardless of finish
- Daniel Suarez: Would clinch regardless of finish
- Austin Cindric: Would clinch regardless of finish
- Chase Briscoe: Would clinch regardless of finish
- Kurt Busch: Would clinch with 33 points
The following drivers could clinch on previous wins with a win by Michael McDowell or Brad Keselowski a win by another winless driver lower in the standings:
- Alex Bowman: Would clinch regardless of finish
- Daniel Suarez: Would clinch regardless of finish
- Austin Cindric: Would clinch regardless of finish
- Chase Briscoe: Would clinch regardless of finish
- Kurt Busch: Would clinch with 23 points
The following drivers could clinch on previous wins with a win by Harrison Burton or a win by another winless driver lower in the standings:
- Alex Bowman: Would clinch regardless of finish
- Daniel Suarez: Would clinch regardless of finish
- Austin Cindric: Would clinch regardless of finish
- Chase Briscoe: Would clinch regardless of finish
- Kurt Busch: Would clinch with 16 points
The following drivers could clinch on previous wins with a win by Todd Gilliland or a win by another winless driver lower in the standings:
- Alex Bowman: Would clinch regardless of finish
- Daniel Suarez: Would clinch regardless of finish
- Austin Cindric: Would clinch regardless of finish
- Chase Briscoe: Would clinch regardless of finish
- Kurt Busch: Would clinch regardless of finish
Can Clinch Via Win
The following drivers would clinch on their win alone: Ryan Blaney, Martin Truex Jr., Alex Bowman, Daniel Suarez, Austin Cindric, Chase Briscoe and Kurt Busch.
The following drivers could clinch with a win:
- Aric Almirola: Would clinch with 44 points
- Erik Jones: Would clinch with 56 points
- Darrell Wallace Jr.: Could only clinch with help
- Austin Dillon: Could only clinch with help
Blaney vs. Truex: The battle for the final Playoff spot
Following another 2022 season repeat winner at Richmond Raceway (Kevin Harvick), Team Penske’s Ryan Blaney, in the 16th and final NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs transfer spot on points, has opened up his points cushion on Joe Gibbs Racing’s Martin Truex Jr. in 17th, the first spot outside the Playoffs, from 19 to 26 points heading into Watkins Glen International. Now with just two races to go in the 2022 regular season, tensions are running high as both drivers are vying for the final postseason position.
Blaney posted his 12th top-10 finish of the season last weekend at Richmond to hold on to the 16th position in the Playoff standings outlook. The North Carolina native is hoping to make the Playoffs for the sixth consecutive season in his career this year (2017-2022). In 24 starts this season, he has put up eight top fives and an average finish of 13.2. Look for Blaney to contend towards the front of the pack again this weekend at Watkins Glen International. Not only does Blaney have a NASCAR Cup Series career win on a road course (Charlotte ROVAL in 2018), but he has made five series starts at Watkins Glen posting one top-five and two top-10 finishes. His average finish at the 2.45-mile track is a solid 11.6.
Sitting directly in Blaney’s review mirror is Joe Gibbs Racing’s Martin Truex Jr. in the 17th position in the Playoff standings outlook, 26 points behind Blaney in 16th. This season, Truex has made 24 series starts this season posting three top fives and 11 top 10s. His average finish this season is 13.0. Truex is hoping to catch Blaney in these next two races and secure his spot in the postseason. Truex is looking to reach his eighth consecutive Playoff berth this season (2015-2022). Truex is the only driver outside the Playoff cutoff still eligible to make the postseason that has previously won at Watkins Glen International (2017). Watkins Glen is one of his better road courses – in 15 starts he has collected one win (2017), seven top fives and 10 top 10s. His average finish at the 2.45-mile track is a stout 10.1. He finished third behind Kyle Larson (winner) and Chase Elliott (runner-up) in last season’s Watkins Glen Cup race.
Road Course Ringers to watch at Watkins Glen
Heading into this weekend, there will be 14 active road course winners entered to compete in Sunday’s Go Bowling at The Glen at Watkins Glen International at 3 p.m. ET (USA, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).
| Active Road Course Winners in the NASCAR Cup Series | ||||||||
| Active Road Course Winners | Total Wins | Sonoma | WGI | Charlotte | Daytona | Indy | COTA | Road America |
| Chase Elliott | 7 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Kyle Busch | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Martin Truex Jr | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Kyle Larson | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Kevin Harvick | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| AJ Allmendinger | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Tyler Reddick | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Joey Logano | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Kurt Busch | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ryan Blaney | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Christopher Bell | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Denny Hamlin | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ross Chastain | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Daniel Suárez | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Hendrick Motorsports teammates Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott have been the cars to beat at Watkins Glen that last few seasons. Elliott won the 2018 and 2019 races and then Larson won last season’s race at WGI, and Elliott finished second. Elliott will look to retake his crown as the active road course king this weekend as he leads all 14 active Cup Series road course winners with seven victories on tracks that turn left and right. If Elliott were to win this weekend, he would tie NASCAR Hall of Famer Tony Stewart for the second-most road course wins in the NASCAR Cup Series all-time with eight each. NASCAR Hall of Famer Jeff Gordon leads the Cup Series in road course wins with nine.
If Elliott can’t get the win, maybe fans will get to see another new winner this weekend. With a series record five new winners this season, it could happen. Three of the first four road course races this year have already produced three first-time NASCAR Cup Series winners –Ross Chastain won at the Circuit of the Americas, Daniel Suárez grabbed his first win at Sonoma Raceway, and Tyler Reddick outdueled Elliott for his first win at Road America. Four NASCAR Cup Series drivers all-time have posted their first series career win at Watkins Glen International.
| 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 |
Seven drivers that visited Victory Lane in the NASCAR Cup Series last season are still looking for their first win of 2022 – A.J. Allmendinger, Aric Almirola, Brad Keselowski, Bubba Wallace, Martin Truex Jr., Michael McDowell and Ryan Blaney.
