NASCAR Cup Series

Podium Preview: Go Bowling at the Glen

by
Rob Tiongson
August 20, 2023

Michael McDowell has made a habit out of winning at two of NASCAR’s biggest venues. (Photo: Wayne Riegle | The Podium Finish)

WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. – For the past 67 years, Watkins Glen International has been the delight of racers and their machines.

From Formula 1 to NTT INDYCAR Series to one of its staple returning favorites in the NASCAR Cup Series, it does not take long to appreciate this 2.45-mile, seven-turn road course. This FIA Grade 2 venue offers a bit of everything without being a drawn out, serpentine speed palace.

Instead, drivers are challenged by this venue with its sweeping corners and elevation changes. Then, there are the two distinct hard braking zones in Turn 1, a sharp right hander where wheel hopping is likely, and the distinct Inner Loop, sometimes referred as “The Bus Stop.”

Those two corners are promising passing opportunities for those wanting to make a charge up the leaderboard. Otherwise, Turns 6 and 7 may be the other, potential places to set up a pass in a “who’ll blink first” moment.

Even with today’s Cup cars being reliable and resilient, taking care of equipment is as paramount in 2023 as it was in 1993. A driver who preserves their brakes and manages their transmission throughout the Go Bowling at The Glen, a 90-lap affair, is likely to contend for the win in the final moments.

Likewise, with the elimination of stage break cautions, provided a yellow flag does not fall before the end of a stage, short pitting enters the equation. Ask Geoffrey Bodine how magnificently this worked out in 1996 as his No. 7 team worked “backwards” to leapfrog their competition.

Whether it is a crew chief dictated race or a driver’s heavy lead foot, the penultimate round of the 2023 Cup Series season should be a dandy. Kyle Larson, in particular, has to like his chances for a third consecutive Glen win as he starts fifth.

Aside from Larson, Michael McDowell, AJ Allmendinger and Chase Elliott pursue their hopes and dreams with having a New York State of Mind. It may be easy living day by day with a touch of the rhythm and blues, but it may take a little give and take to win this staple Cup race.

Once the NASCAR official unfurls the green flag on race day, it is anyone’s guess as to who will prevail in this year’s Go Bowling at The Glen. For the time being, come along for the ride this and each race weekend with Podium Preview.

This weekend, Kobe Lambeth, Luis Torres, Matt Sisoler, and yours truly ruminate over the next likely Playoffs bubble racer to win a race and the hot streak for Ford Performance!

Podium Preview: Go Bowling at The Glen

Question 1

AJ Allmendinger hopes he can tally a victory to make his way into the Playoffs. (Photo: Wayne Riegle | The Podium Finish)

After Michael McDowell punched his ticket into the Playoffs at Indianapolis, who seems most likely to follow suit at Watkins Glen?

Sisoler : AJ Allmendinger, no question, has to be one of the road course specialists to have the best shot coming at Watkins Glen. It seems like, the past few seasons at least, he is always in contention when the Cup Series comes to NASCAR’s road course in the hills of New York.

Chase Elliott has to be another one given his propensity for road course racing, and, possibly, a pair of dark horses, one because of the qualifying run they had (Ty Gibbs) and one due to their practice speed, Corey LaJoie. Both guys seem like they might have found something, and while I don’t necessarily believe they will win, I would not be surprised to see them towards the front of the field.

Tiongson : I agree with Matt about AJ Allmendinger. After a less than ideal result at Indianapolis, Allmendinger has showcased promise at Watkins Glen thus far with a sixth place qualifying effort. After lacking pace with a 26th place starting spot last Sunday, it appears that the No. 16 Celsius Chevrolet prepared by Kaulig Racing is ready to battle for the win.

Although Austin Cindric starts 17th, let’s not count out this Team Penske racer based on his road course prowess. The Team Penske racer knows what it takes to compete for wins at these tracks as he showcased in the NASCAR XFINITY Series. Considering how this year has been a bit of a mixed bag, Cindric would love nothing more than to punch his ticket into the postseason with a Watkins Glen win.

Question 2

Joey Logano vies for a competitive run in Sunday’s Go Bowling at The Glen. (Photo: Wayne Riegle | The Podium Finish)

Ford Performance has been on a three-race winning streak sparked by Chris Buescher’s victory at Richmond. Will they continue their victorious ways at Watkins Glen?

Lambeth : It’s been very impressive watching Ford improve its form in the last several weeks. Compared to Chevrolet and Toyota, the Fords have been a little bit behind. However, it seems like they’ve really done their homework, found something and now they can take the fight to the other manufacturers more consistently.

The Blue Oval teams have to feel good about this, considering the playoffs are literally right around the corner. Despite three consecutive Ford wins, I see this streak coming to an end at Watkins Glen. I believe the Chevys will be ready to strike back, with Hendrick Motorsports seeking the organization’s fifth straight win at The Glen.

Torres : Ford are at cloud 9 with Chris Buescher and Michael McDowell winning lately. Good news is that Watkins Glen should favor both competitors and that’s a nightmare for everyone else.

Now Chevrolet can put up a threat with Hendrick Motorsports’ Chase Elliott and Kyle Larson. They’ll be the main threat to Ford’s winning ways coming to an end. Especially for Elliott, he’ll have to represent the Bowtie Brigade to an all-time level.

It’s gonna be tough for Ford to win, but I can’t discredit their chances with Buescher and McDowell.

Once again, the two laps spent racing around Watkins Glen proved most enjoyable! Before proceeding with our preview, let us rewind to last Sunday’s Verizon 200 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course, Round No. 24 of 36 of the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series season, with our race and points reports!

Sisoler holds a slender points lead.

However, with only four panelists participating for the Watkins Glen preview, the points race will shuffle up!