Can Erik Jones spoil everyone’s parade on Sunday at Watkins Glen? (Photo: Sam Draiss | The Podium Finish)
With one race remaining before the regular season finale, Sunday’s Go Bowling at the Glen may be the last, “in the driver’s hands” type race for a Playoff spot.
Since 1986, other than a COVID-19 related pause in 2020, the 2.45-mile, 8-turn road course in Watkins Glen, New York has been a NASCAR Cup Series staple. If this season and the trends at past Cup races at Watkins Glen International hold true, then this may be one of the best events of the year.
So far, Ross Chastain, Daniel Suárez and Tyler Reddick have enjoyed victories in the prior road course races this season. Essentially, if a driver’s in a Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, the odds of a victory on these unique circuits seems pretty likely.
Then again, it’d be silly to dismiss the likes of Michael McDowell, Christopher Buescher and Austin Cindric. These Ford road course ringers know how to wheel it against contenders like Chase Elliott, Kyle Larson and William Byron, among others.
This weekend, Cody Shoppe, Kobe Lambeth, Luis Torres, Matt Sisoler, Michelle Raynor, Nathan Solomon, Taylor Kitchen and yours truly consider the next new winner of 2022 and the prospects of Kyle Busch’s title chances.
Podium Preview: Go Bowling at the Glen at Watkins Glen
Trending Topics
Question 1
Will “The Iceman” showcase some swagger on Sunday? (Photo: Sam Draiss | The Podium Finish)
Kimi Räikkönen will make his NASCAR Cup Series debut in Project91’s formal start on Sunday at Watkins Glen International. How will the 2007 Formula 1 World Champion fare in his maiden Cup start?
Tiongson : I’ve been impressed with how well he’s handled the newness around him in the Cup car. While folks will remember his prior NASCAR experience in 2011, I think more may remember “The Iceman” when he puts in a respectable top 20 result on Sunday afternoon.
This may be a one and done effort for the 2007 F1 champion. However, he’s going to showcase his versatility and savvy as a renowned driver. Beyond that, Räikkönen can race at ease, if you will, as he won’t have to worry about the pressures so prevalent with F1.
He was highly complimentary of his Trackhouse Racing teammates in Daniel Suárez and car owner Justin Marks. Ultimately, he seems, honestly, happy being in that No. 91 car, and it’s a treat to have a racer of his caliber on this side of the pond.
Solomon : I think he’ll have a pretty solid debut. I certainly don’t think he’ll be a contender for the win, but with some late race cautions and pit strategy, anything is possible. He showed some decent pace in practice and I think he’ll keep improving all day on Sunday. I think he’ll finish somewhere around 15th or 20th.
Shoppe : With all the craziness that happens at the end of cup series road course races lately, if Kimi Räikkönen can stay on the lead lap and contact free all day long, he could have a top 15 finish in his debut. This guy knows what he’s doing for sure. He’ll get the hang of the car quicker than many would expect.
Lambeth : Based on his performance in practice and qualifying, I think Kimi Räikkönen is well prepared for his first start in the NASCAR Cup Series. Trackhouse Racing’s PROJECT91 initiative to bring highly accomplished international drivers from other disciplines will give Räikkönen a rare opportunity to compete against NASCAR’s best.
They’re doing everything the right way by having the 2007 Formula 1 World Champion arrive in America a week before the race to prepare him to go Cup racing at Watkins Glen. Räikkönen had a solid day of testing at Virginia International Raceway to give him some laps in a Cup car, so he didn’t enter race weekend without any experience.
After practice, Räikkönen was 20th fastest. Then, he qualified 27th for the race. Considering his limited laps in a stock car, the Finnish racing driver has a lot to be proud of and he should continue making gains throughout the weekend. With Watkins Glen being a 90-lap race, there will be plenty of time for Räikkönen to learn as the race goes on. One of the biggest things he’ll have to get used to in a short amount of time is the on-track aggressive, especially on the restarts late in the race.
That’s where his inexperience might really show, but I think completing all the laps and getting a top-25 finish would be a successful one-off NASCAR Cup Series appearance for the Iceman!
Question 2
Can Joey Logano gain momentum ahead of the Playoffs? (Photo: Sam Draiss | The Podium Finish)
It’s coming down to the wire to formalize the NASCAR Playoffs field in the Cup Series. With drivers like Chase Briscoe and Alex Bowman struggling down the stretch, which of the one win drivers seems most likely to turn things around starting on Sunday at Watkins Glen?
Kitchen : I wouldn’t say that Kyle Larson is a driver in trouble this season, but he is not performing as well as he did last year.
Up to this point last year, Larson had six wins (including the All-Star Race). This year, he only has one. With the inconsistencies the No. 5 team has had this season, I would say Watkins Glen would be a welcome place for the group to turn it around.
However, I am also reminded of Larson’s other road course finishes this season. At Circuit of the Americas, Larson finished in 29th. At Sonoma, where he was presumed to be the favorite, Larson crossed the start/finish line in the 15th position. His best road course finish came at Road America where he finished third and finally at the Indy Road Course, Larson did not finish that race after a scary wreck with Ty Dillon.
All this to say, the team has not mastered the road courses like they did last year. However, if any team can turn their luck around before the playoffs, it has to be Kyle Larson.
Sisoler : That is really a tough call because every driver has had times, at one point or another, where they really struggled. If you had asked me this more than two weeks ago, I would have said Kevin Harvick, but he’s caught fire recently.
Martin Truex Jr. hasn’t really been bad, but he is someone who definitely needs a win to get in. He is in trouble right now and the Glen might be his best shot to get into the playoffs.
Raynor : We have experienced with this new car this year that almost every great driver or team has peaked at some point in this regular season. Teams that had a slow start in the beginning are catching up to the teams that won out of the gate. Toyota is showing speed with Christopher Bell so I can see him today continue to succeed.
I do feel like we could see Joey Logano turn things around starting this week. He’s been struggling off and on and I think this will be a test for him. At Daytona, anyone can win it and there are tracks coming up he usually does well at. So I expect him and his team to start being contenders.
Sharpe : I think this comes down to who can handle the pressure the best. In road courses we’ve seen Bell and Briscoe do decently, but with a super speedway looming in the picture as the last race before the playoffs, things are up in the air.
Joey Logano is a NASCAR veteran and championship winner. Not only does he have experience, but he’s seen many drivers come up short to make the playoffs. Maybe seeing Harvick winning back-to-back ignited something within.
This season has certainly been full of wonky quirks, racing, and winners from bringing a new car into play. It was expected to see crazy things, but the playoff picture this year has been ‘unique’ to say the least.
Hopefully, the Fords can come up with a strategy so more of this particular manufacturer can make it in.
That’s two hot, fast laps around Watkins Glen International! Now, let’s rewind to last Sunday’s Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond, Race 24 of 36 of the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series season!
It was a decent day for the youngsters.
But it’s been a decent time for the series veteran.
Next, we consider the top 10 starters for Sunday’s Go Bowling at the Glen!
Row 1
Chase Elliott and Kyle Larson (Photo: Sam Draiss | The Podium Finish)
Row 2
Michael McDowell and William Byron (Photo: Sam Draiss | The Podium Finish)
Row 3
Tyler Reddick and AJ Allmendinger (Photo: Sam Draiss | The Podium Finish) (Photo: Sam Draiss | The Podium Finish)
Row 4
Christopher Buescher and Austin Cindric (Photo: Sam Draiss | The Podium Finish)
Row 5
Daniel Suárez and Kyle Busch (Photo: Sam Draiss | The Podium Finish)
As we prepare for Sunday’s Go Bowling at the Glen, let’s go “Around the Track” with Daniel Suárez as he takes us a lap around Watkins Glen!
Daniel Suárez chimes in with his Watkins Glen thoughts. (Photo: Sam Draiss | The Podium Finish)
“There is no easy place. Like the corner one to the esses, the Bus Stop, Carousel, the last couple of corners are probably the more easy going, a straightforward corner. But every corner is different. You know, you have The Bus Stop which is very, very tricky. So it’s a fun place and a very, very fast one, too.”
Last but not least, here’s our picks for Sunday’s Go Bowling at the Glen!
It’s a six pack possibly worth of a Watkins Glen race win. (Photo: Sam Draiss | The Podium Finish)
Lambeth : With only two races to go until the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs, there’s a handful of drivers still looking to secure their spot in the championship fight. Christopher Buescher is one of those drivers who want to claim the 16th and final playoff spot. Last weekend, Buescher was in contention for the win at Richmond.
The RFK Racing driver certainly has to feel good coming to another road course this weekend because they have a strong road course program. Look for Mr. “Christopher” Buescher to take the No. 17 Ford Mustang to victory lane at Watkins Glen!
Raynor : Chase Elliott has become a great road racer and qualified well with the pole.
Shoppe : Chase Elliott will return to his dominant ways on road courses today with a win at Watkins Glen. Hendrick looks so strong this weekend and Elliott seems to be the strongest of them overall.
Kitchen : On the pole, I think Elliott will win this weekend.
Sharpe : After a great Xfinity race, I think William Byron, the HMS racer, has the mentality and patience needed to win at such an incredible road course.
Sisoler : I slept on Tyler Reddick before this season on road courses. Not anymore. He’s looked good all season and I think he takes it home at the Glen for another road course victory in 2022.
Solomon : Austin Cindric has had an interesting season. After winning the Daytona 500, he just locked himself into the playoffs. With his road course racing experience, I think he’ll be strong Sunday and notch his second career win.
Tiongson : As I can imagine the panelists going with Hendrick drivers, I’ll opt for AJ Allmendinger and his No. 16 team. He may have been one spot short of a win on Saturday but he’ll get the job done on Sunday.
We’re ready for some racing. How about you? What do you think are the biggest storylines heading into the race? Who are your favorites to win? Tweet us now @ThePodiumFinish and tell us now!
Thanks as always to the TPF team for their amazing efforts this week! While we progress toward a new kind of normal, please do your part to curb the impacts of the pandemic by washing your hands and getting your COVID-19 vaccine or booster.
The opinions and thoughts expressed in Podium Preview are solely of the authors. They do not reflect any organizations affiliated with the participants and author outside of TPF. This weekly feature is strictly for entertainment purposes. Ultimately, they are not indicative of TPF, the organization and its staff.
