Shane van Gisbergen is set to compete for his fourth consecutive victory on a road or street course this Sunday at Watkins Glen International, aiming to join distinguished drivers Jeff Gordon and Chase Elliott in this achievement. With previous wins this season at Sonoma Raceway, downtown Chicago, and Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico City, van Gisbergen also has the opportunity to tie Denny Hamlin for the most victories in the series with a win at Watkins Glen.
Chase Elliott will also be in the spotlight, seeking to match Tony Stewart’s all-time record for road course wins in the Cup series. Last year’s race at Watkins Glen saw Chris Buescher secure victory over van Gisbergen with a thrilling last-lap pass, making this year’s competition even more exciting as Buescher currently holds the final playoff spot by a thin margin.
As the regular season nears its end, there are still three spots available in the Cup playoffs, currently filled by drivers Tyler Reddick, Alex Bowman, and Buescher—all of whom have yet to secure a win this season. This scenario brings additional intensity to the upcoming race, as every driver aims to secure their place in the playoffs.
This weekend’s race is set to include 90 laps covering a distance of 220.5 miles on Watkins Glen’s 2.45-mile road course. The event will start at 2:05 p.m. following various pre-race activities.
Weather forecasts predict sunny conditions with temperatures reaching 91 degrees, providing a pleasant environment for both drivers and fans at the venue.
The race coverage will be available on the USA Network, with radio broadcasting provided by Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
The anticipated showdown promises to be filled with excitement as seasoned drivers like van Gisbergen and Buescher vie for the front, presenting fans with a thrilling day of racing.