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AustYn

Only 2 races remain before the start of the NASCAR Playoffs and the NASCAR Cup Series heads up north to Watkins Glen International for the Go Bowling at the Glen. In my opinion, it would be great to see this event be the elimination race instead of Daytona, but nonetheless here we are. Chase Elliott grabbed the pole which really isn’t surprising. Ryan Blaney and Martin Truex Jr are still vying for that last Playoff spot, and with 15 winners this season, things are getting tight. Both drivers qualified in bad starting spots, so that’ll be a thing to monitor today. In terms of “big” news in NASCAR, Noah Gragson was announced as the driver of the #42 Petty GMS ride next season, so that’ll be exciting for that team. Also, Kyle Busch has yet to announce what his plans are for 2023 and beyond…he did say it won’ look like the past 15 years, which is a spicy comment. I have lots of opinions, but I believe he could be partnering with an existing owner in the series and become a co-owner of a team. He already has his truck operation and that holds value to any manufacturer or team…Kyle is such a “lone wolf” style leader in my opinion that it is so difficult for me to predict what he’ll do. It wouldn’t shock me to see Kurt and Kyle Busch create their own organization…that’s pretty “out” there, but I think you have to consider anything at this point. Kurt’s health is certainly a question mark, and I could easily see him stepping away. Also, how about the Aric Almirola news? Does anyone think he is racing again next year? Bold prediction here…I think he pulls an Elliott Sadler…goes to the Xfinity Series and races the #9 for JR Motorsports with Smithfield as a sponsor.

Now for analysis of Watkins Glen, there will be 90 laps completed today and teams will have 6 sets of tires. I do not think that tire wear will play a major factor, as this car does not eat up tires nearly as much as the old car. Chase Elliott did get the pole and that is a great place to be here. The pole sitter has won 10 times in 38 races, and there has never been a driver start farther than 18th to win (Steve Park 2000). Track position is a big deal. I will be looking at history at road courses of course, but also practice speeds. There are a few drivers that are so much better than everyone at road course, so keep those drivers in mind. There are also some drivers that do not have a lot of Cup experience in the field that will shock people today, I hope to explain later. Watkins Glen is a fast track and very narrow in a lot of areas, an error free and conservative day will probably help drivers prevail.

Top Pick: Chase Elliott ($10,700) Starting P1

No surprise here, Chase Elliott has the best average finish at Watkins Glen with a 6.0 and has 2 victories in 5 starts. The Hendrick driver was 2nd in practice to Kyle Larson but starting in 1st gives #9 the advantage for me. With only 90 laps, you have to select Elliott thinking he will lead at least half of the race. Stage breaks will make things interesting, but as long as they play a good strategy, I look or Chase Elliott to win easily.

Supporting Cast: Cole Custer ($6,300) Starting 29th & Todd Gilliland ($5,700) Starting 19th

Here is where it gets tricky. There are a few drivers in the field today that will be 50% owned and it will be hard to pass them up. In the $6k range…there is one in particular that’ll be owned heavily like last week (Aric Almirola $6,200) but I think the better option is his teammate, Cole Custer. Starting in 29th, the #41 car could get you a quiet top-20 finish, and I like the fact that he got some laps in the Xfinity race yesterday. Hopefully not many people go with him, and Custer performs at a decent level. Todd Gilliland is my next choice, he finished 4th at the Indy road course and he has always ran well and road courses in the Truck Series. Starting in 19th, he has put himself in great track position to run up front and his pace in practice was hovering around the top-20. Look for the #38 to get a top-15 today and shock some people.

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Yacs

With only two more races until the Playoffs, things are extra tense heading into it. Ryan Blaney and Martin Truex Jr. are two drivers that have been great all season long but may find themselves out of the playoffs. Kevin Harvick went back-to-back and picked up a win last week at Richmond and he looks like he may be a real threat yet again in the Playoffs. Ending the regular season at a road course and then a superspeedway is just pure chaos for drivers trying to clinch their spot. My prediction is that there will be exactly 16 drivers that get a win, and all will be clinched in the playoffs, but who will be the final one? Will that last driver clinch their spot today? I guess we’ll find out.

Watkins Glen is one of the more driver friendly courses on the circuit. It allows for higher speeds and has less turns and will allow for closer racing than most road races. The field is definitely deeper now than ever when it comes to skilled road racers and we could see a handful of drivers get a win today. Even still, drivers either have a knack for the kind of racing or they don’t, pick the drivers that have a knack and leave of the others. Track position is the most important thing here. You want guys that can stay up front or at least the Top 10. You can pick a climber, but I wouldn't rely on them this week. Drivers tend to finish pretty close to where they start. Here are my FanDuel choices for the week.

First Picks: Chase Elliott ($14,000) Starting 1st; AJ Allmendinger ($10,500) Starting 6th

Chase is the best road course racers on the circuit and will look to pick up his third win at The Glen. Unless he gets into trouble somehow, he will remain at the top of the leaderboard for the entire race. He and Kyle Larson will likely be picked a lot so be aware of that, but I think you have to have at least one of them in your lineup this week. Allmendinger’s best track is Watkins Glen. It always has been. He’s one of the safest picks in road races and this race is definitely no different. He’s consistently towards the top of the leaderboards and he’s one of the most cautious yet aggressive drivers out there. Look for him to race for the win today.

Climbers: Christopher Bell ($9,500) Starting 38th; Ty Gibbs ($6,800) Starting 16th

I don’t care how well Bell ran in practice, he has nowhere to go but up. Bell is good a road courses and I think he can put together a good finish. Unless things get wacky with pit strategies, don’t expect him to be racing for the win, but I think he will definitely work his way up through the field. I feel like I pick Gibbs every week, but he is a road coarse ringer and when he has stayed in races, he gets positive points. He’s quickly getting adjusted to the new car and I think he will run in the Top 10 today. At $6,800, you don’t have much to lose with him.

Final Pick: Chris Buescher ($8,000) Starting 7th

Buescher has ran really well in road races lately and I think he’ll run well again today. I honestly think he could be a guy that could really shake up the playoff situation today. If he wins, he will clinch that last playoff spot, but with him it will be tough to maintain it the following week due to his spot in the standings. He’s a wild card today, but I think he can maintain his track position for the majority of the race.

NASCAR Go Bowling at the Glen DFS Preview