Who takes the checkered flag as the Monster Energy Cup Series heads to Watkins Glen? Here are our picks for the final road race of the season.
Winner: Kyle Busch
Rowdy is out for blood after taking his first checkered flag of the season last week at Pocono. After winning his first Xfinity Series race at The Glen on Saturday, Busch will start from the pole on Sunday as he chases his third career win at the track. From our point of view, as long as Busch doesn't wreck or see his engine fail, he should at least finish in the top five.
Contenders: Joey Logano, Martin Truex Jr.
We're simply not ready to give up on the 2016 championship runner-up, especially after his second-place finish in the NASCAR Xfinity Series race. Logano marched out his entire Cup crew on Saturday and they did not disappoint. His team knows it's win or go home, so expect the 2015 Watkins Glen winner to take his shot at Victory Lane on Sunday. As for Truex Jr., well his résumé speaks for itself. The points leader owns three race wins, 14 stage wins, eight top-fives and a ridiculous 29 playoff points. Truex Jr. led the most overall laps at Sonoma in June before suffering engine failure with only 25 to go. Best believe he hasn't forgotten about that ...
Wild Card: AJ Allmendinger
We were not very high on the road course specialist back at Sonoma, and for good reason. Despite nearly winning a stage in June, Allmendinger finished 35th. This time around we think it's going to be different. Despite a mediocre run in practice, Allmendinger's results at Watkins Glen speak for themselves. In addition to a win in 2014, he has an average finish inside the top 10 in eight career starts there. Don't be surprised if Allmendinger plays spoiler to a driver on the playoff bubble Sunday.
Odds to win the I LOVE NEW YORK 355 at The Glen
Here are the betting odds for Sunday's race, via VegasInsider.com
- Martin Truex Jr. 4/1
- Kyle Busch 4/1
- Brad Keselowski 8/1
- Kurt Busch 17/2
- Kevin Harvick 17/2
- AJ Allmendinger 10/1
- Clint Bowyer 10/1
- Denny Hamlin 12/1
- Kyle Larson 12/1
- Jimmie Johnson 14/1
- Joey Logano 18/1
- Jamie McMurray 28/1
- Chase Elliott 33/1
- Ryan Blaney 40/1
- Kasey Kahne 40/1
- Dale Earnhardt Jr. 50/1
- Matt Kenseth 50/1
- Daniel Suarez 60/1
- Michael McDowell 66/1
- Paul Menard 80/1
- Ryan Newman 80/1
How to watch the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series I LOVE NEW YORK 355 at The Glen
Location: Watkins Glen International
Date: Sunday, Aug. 6
Time: 3 p.m. ET
Length: 90 laps/220.6 miles
Stage 1: Ends on lap 20
Stage 2: Ends on lap 40
Final Stage: Scheduled for lap 90
TV: NBCSN
Live stream: NBC Sports App
I LOVE NEW YORK 355 at The Glen starting lineup
- Kyle Busch
- Kyle Larson
- Martin Truex Jr.
- Chase Elliott
- Daniel Suarez
- Erik Jones
- AJ Allmendinger
- Brad Keselowski
- Jamie McMurray
- Jimmie Johnson
- Denny Hamlin
- Clint Bowyer
- Joey Logano
- Michael McDowell
- Matt Kenseth
- Ryan Blaney
- Chris Buescher
- Kurt Busch
- Kasey Kahne
- Kevin Harvick
- Paul Menard
- Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
- Ryan Newman
- Ty Dillon
- Danica Patrick
- Cole Whitt
- Austin Dillon
- Dale Earnhardt Jr.
- Aric Almirola
- Trevor Bayne
- David Ragan
- Landon Cassill
- Brett Moffitt
- Gary Klutt
- Boris Said
- Corey LaJoie
- Matt DiBenedetto
BOLD - denotes previous winners at Watkins Glen International
2017 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series standings
POSITION | DRIVER | CAR # | POINTS | BEHIND | WINS |
1. | Martin Truex Jr. | 78 | 823 | LEADER | 3 |
2. | Kyle Larson | 42 | 738 | 85 | 2 |
3. | Kevin Harvick | 4 | 726 | 97 | 1 |
4. | Kyle Busch | 18 | 723 | 100 | 1 |
5. | Brad Keselowski | 2 | 649 | 174 | 2 |
6. | Denny Hamlin | 11 | 649 | 174 | 1 |
7. | Chase Elliott | 24 | 616 | 207 | 0 |
8. | Jamie McMurray | 1 | 615 | 208 | 0 |
9. | Matt Kenseth | 20 | 594 | 229 | 0 |
10. | Clint Bowyer | 14 | 577 | 246 | 0 |
11. | Jimmie Johnson | 48 | 566 | 257 | 3 |
12. | Ryan Blaney | 21 | 529 | 294 | 1 |
13. | Joey Logano | 22 | 525 | 298 | 1 |
14. | Kurt Busch | 41 | 494 | 329 | 1 |
15. | Ryan Newman | 31 | 491 | 332 | 1 |
16. | Erik Jones | 77 | 469 | 354 | 0 |
