Kyle Larson surveys the data ahead of Sunday’s Go Bowling at The Glen. (Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)
WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. — For Kyle Larson, Watkins Glen International remains a track where speed, precision, and smart strategy converge. As the NASCAR Cup Series heads into the annual Go Bowling at The Glen race this Sunday, Larson’s past performances and his Saturday comments suggest he’s aiming not just for a solid finish, but possibly a third victory on this fast-paced road course.
Larson’s affinity for Watkins Glen is well documented. Since his Cup Series debut, he has delivered consistent, strong runs here, combining aggressive driving with calculated risk management. With two previous wins at the track — in 2021 and 2022 — Larson knows what it takes to conquer “The Glen,” one of NASCAR’s most iconic road courses.
His career stats at Watkins Glen, a historic 2.45-mile road course, underscore his competitiveness: multiple top-five finishes and a string of top-10 results highlight Larson’s capability to run with the leaders on the technical layout.
Saturday’s qualifying and practice sessions set the stage for Sunday’s race, with Larson emphasizing the importance of balance and positioning.
Speaking during Saturday’s media availability, he told reporters, “All of them, I guess. You just really want a good car balance and then you have a good Saturday, practice well, qualify good. And set yourself up into a decent position.”
Track position, particularly on road courses, plays a vital role in race strategy. This will be a priority given that he qualified 27th, but will move up to 26th starting position with the withdrawal of the Connor Zilisch entry.
Kyle Larson may start deep in the field but has one of the top five fastest cars for Sunday’s Go Bowling at The Glen. (Photo: Holden Barnes | The Podium Finish)
Larson acknowledged this, observing, “Track position is important everywhere, but I feel like especially on road courses. Hopefully today goes well. We can qualify good and get a good pit stall selection. And then a straightforward race tomorrow would be nice. Hopefully, we have a good strategy and good restarts, all that.”
His comments reveal a driver focused on both the immediate challenges of qualifying and the broader race-day tactics. Road courses like Watkins Glen demand a delicate balance — pushing hard enough to gain and maintain position, while preserving tires and equipment for the long haul. Larson’s experience and skill on these technical circuits have made him a perennial threat.
Larson and his Hendrick Motorsports team have faced some challenges this season, including a dip in performance during certain stretches, but the driver remains optimistic about his prospects, especially as the regular season approaches its final races.
“It’s something that you keep your eye on as a contender all season, all regular season,” he said. “We’ve been trying to execute it because we can. It’s just we had a kind of a dip in our performance there for a little bit. But, it’s still been a good season.”
The regular season championship is a prize Larson and his Hendrick teammates are all vying for, with three drivers from the powerhouse team battling it out for the top spots.
“It’s awesome that we have three teammates going for the regular season championship. I hope all three of us can stay in the top three and have as many points as we can possibly get before the playoffs.”
Despite the importance of the regular season points race, Larson is clear about his mindset.
You’re trying to race smarter and just maximize your finishes each week. Some weeks that’s paid off for me. In some weeks, I feel like I’ve gotten taken advantage of. But that’s every… you can be battling for any position in points, and that’s how it’s going to go.”
Since joining Hendrick Motorsports in 2021, Larson has always been one of the top road course contenders. However, this year, particularly with his road course program’s recent performance, especially after some challenges at Sonoma, Chicago, and Mexico City. he was candid about the adjustments needed.
Kyle Larson observed how a change with the road course tire compound has challenged him since last year’s Go Bowling at The Glen. (Photo: Holden Barnes | The Podium Finish)
“I think since this year, we have a softer kind of compound tire than we had up until, I guess, this race last year. And I don’t think I do a great job with the soft tire. And I think our setups continue to try and improve as well. So you’re just always trying to get better.
“I think just the harder, stiffer tire kind of suited our package a little better than it has right now. But we’re getting better.”
Discussing the track itself, Larson praised Watkins Glen’s pace and challenge. “It’s a really fast-paced road course. So, that makes it fun, but also challenging to pass and whatnot. But I enjoy it. It’s just kind of the same as every week: I qualify good and hopefully execute.”
Larson’s confidence in executing at Watkins Glen comes from a blend of experience and preparation. Over the years, he has mastered the art of navigating the high-speed corners and tricky braking zones unique to this track. His aggressive but calculated style enables him to manage tire wear and fuel consumption effectively, often a deciding factor on road courses.
This weekend, Larson’s goal is clear: maximize track position through a strong qualifying effort, execute strategic pit stops, and leverage his team’s adaptability to the softer tires introduced this season. Should everything come together, he could become the first driver to claim three Go Bowling at The Glen wins in recent NASCAR history, cementing his status as a road course specialist.
With the Hendrick Motorsports stable firing on all cylinders, Larson’s prospects are strong not only at Watkins Glen but throughout the closing stretch of the regular season. His blend of raw speed, technical knowledge, and mental toughness will be critical assets as he and his teammates vie for playoff seeding and the regular season title.
Sunday’s race at Watkins Glen will not only test Larson’s driving skills but also his team’s ability to adapt quickly to evolving track conditions and race scenarios. Fans can expect a thrilling battle as Larson pursues another milestone victory at one of NASCAR’s most challenging circuits.
Editor’s Note
Oliver Saczuk contributed to this article directly onsite from Watkins Glen International in Watkins Glen, New York.
