There are just two races remaining before the start of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs. There are 15 winners thus far in the 2022 season. Will the road course at Watkins Glen International produce winner number 16 for the year?
The Go Bowling at The Glen race this weekend can be considered a major wild card for the regular season this year. Since there are so many drivers that know the only way to have a shot at the championship is to win a race during the regular season, the pressure is on more than usual.
Before we look at that pressure, here’s a look at what all the drivers will be facing in this weekend’s race.
Watkins Glen International Data
Track Size: 2.45-miles
Track Type: Multi-Elevational Road Course
Number of Turns: 7
Go Bowling at The Glen Data
Season Race #: 25 of 36 (08-21-22)
Race Length: 90 laps / 220.5 miles
Stage 1 & 2 Lengths: 20 laps (each)
Final Stage Length: 50 laps
Here are the top ten active drivers in overall driver rating at Watkins Glen International.
Chase Elliott – 117.6
Kyle Busch – 110.4
Martin Truex Jr. – 102.0
Christopher Bell – 100.7
Brad Keselowski – 95.4
Kyle Larson – 95.1
AJ Allmendinger – 94.4
Kurt Busch – 92.0
Denny Hamlin – 91.7
Kevin Harvick – 91.0
Note: Driver Ratings compiled from 2005-Present among active drivers at Watkins Glen International.
Here are the active drivers who have won a Cup Series race at Watkins Glen International.
| Chase Elliott | 2 Wins | 2019, 2018 |
| Kyle Busch | 2 Wins | 2013, 2008 |
| Kyle Larson | 1 Win | 2021 |
| Martin Truex Jr | 1 Win | 2017 |
| Denny Hamlin | 1 Win | 2016 |
| Joey Logano | 1 Win | 2015 |
| AJ Allmendinger | 1 Win | 2014 |
| Kevin Harvick | 1 Win | 2006 |
Now let’s take a look at the 16-driver grid for the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs and the pressure that is being increased by it.
There are 10 drivers that are locked in the post-season. They have at least one win and enough points that at this stage of the regular season they cannot be pushed below the cutline for the Playoffs. These drivers want to gain more Playoff Points to help them through the Playoffs. However, they are the drivers with very little pressure on them at the moment. Those drivers are: Chase Elliott, Ross Chastain, Joey Logano, William Byron, Denny Hamlin, Tyler Reddick, Kevin Harvick, Kyle Larson, Christopher Bell and Kyle Busch.
There are five drivers that have a win, but are not locked in the Playoffs. These drivers could mathematically be pushed below the cutline for the Playoffs should there be two new winners in the final two races of the regular season. The pressure is increasing on these drivers to get another win and gain more points just in case. Those drivers are: Alex Bowman, Daniel Suarez, Austin Cindric, Chase Briscoe and Kurt Busch.
Ryan Blaney is currently the only driver on the 16-driver Playoffs Grid without a win. He is 26 points above Martin Truex Jr. who is the first driver below the cutline. The pressure is immense on both of these drivers to get the win that would secure their place in the post-season. Both drivers have enough points that a win would lock them in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs.
The rest of the drivers that are in 30th place or higher know that the ONLY way they have a shot at being in the post-season with a shot at the championship is to win. That puts the most pressure on them.
Which driver will handle the pressure to gain entry to the post-season? Which drivers will handle the pressure to lock themselves in the post-season? Which drivers will let the pressure cause a mistake to take themselves (and potentially others) out of the Playoff picture?
We will find out when the green flag waives to start the Go Bowling at The Glen Sunday, August 21st at 2 p.m. central time (3 p.m. eastern time) on the road course at Watkins Glen International.
By: Buck Stevens
