All races in NASCAR are important, but with five remaining in the regular season, this week’s event at Watkins Glen has even more importance for those drivers on the playoff bubble. The top 16 cup series points leaders make the playoffs, so stage wins and high finishes take on even more of a priority.
Drivers such as Rickie Stenhouse Jr. (No. 16), Paul Menard (No. 17), and Austin Dillion (No. 19), are focusing on trying to get into a comfortable position, while those on the other side of 16, such as Jimmie Johnson (No. 13), and Alex Bowman (No. 15) want to make certain they stay where they are at or move up.
Chase Elliott is currently 12th in the standings, 129 points above the 16th spot, but he is taking nothing for granted. He said three weeks ago that he and his team remain motivated to get in the playoffs.
“If you do your job and you run like we expect to run and make the most of what we have, I think everything will work itself out,” Elliott said. “If it does, it does. … If we go execute our weekends to our fullest potential and do what we’re capable of, there’s no reason we can’t make the top 16.”
Road Course Edge
Elliott has an advantage of several of the bubble boys this week with his success on road courses. This is the second of three they will race on this Sunday, with the other at Sonoma on June 24.
A fourth-place finish gave Elliott a boost in the playoff race, and also more confidence on those types of tracks. He is listed at 20/1 to win at Watkins Glen and might be a good value bet.
Another attractive pick could be Clint Bowyer. The two-time winner this year is 9/1 and was third at Sonoma. He has an impressive record at road tracks with 10 top 5 finishes in 25 races.
“There is such a sensation of speed at Watkins Glen,” said Bowyer. “It is a wild racetrack and you have to be on your toes. If you slip up the least little bit, you are not only going to crash, you are going to crash hard. I think of it like this – Sonoma is like a short track and Watkins Glen is like a superfast, 1.5-mile track. That’s the speed difference.”
Busch Favorite, but Truex and Harvick Close
Kyle Busch is the top pick by the Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook this week at 5/2, but Kevin Harvick and Martin Truex Jr. are close behind at 7/2.
Of the three, Truex might be the best bet. He is looking for his third consecutive road race victory, having won at Sonoma and this event last year.
“I have a lot of years of experience racing at The Glen, and right now I am with a great team which gives me all the pieces to be able to win races at different tracks,” Truex said. “Hopefully we can go to The Glen this weekend and do it again. We know that a good qualifying spot is key. Starting up front sets the tone for the race.”
