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NASCAR Cup Series weekend schedule: TV, streaming info, odds, picks and what to watch for at Watkins Glen

John Parker
·4 min read
4

With just two races remaining in the NASCAR Cup Series regular season and drivers jockeying for playoff spots, the tour heads to the Watkins Glen International road course this weekend.

Here is everything you need to know for the Go Bowling at the Glen:

NASCAR Cup Series weekend schedule and how to watch

Fans in the United States can watch the race on the USA network, the USA mobile app or the NBC Sports app (cable or satellite subscription required). Radio coverage is available on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM.

(All times ET)

Saturday, Aug. 20

Practice: 12:05 - 1:05 p.m. (NBC Sports app, USA coverage begins at 12:30, MRN, SiriusXM)

Qualifying: 1:05 - 3 p.m. (NBC Sports app, USA, MRN, SiriusXM)

Sunday, Aug. 21

Go Bowling at the Glen: 3 - 6 p.m. ET (USA, MRN, SiriusXM)

Top drivers and best bets for the Go Bowling at the Glen

Cup Series road course ace Chase Elliott is Bet MGM’s favorite to win at +500. Elliott has won seven of his 23 Cup road course starts including six of the past 16 races requiring right-hand turns. The next-best odds belong to Tyler Reddick (+600) who has won each of the last two road course outings at Road America and Indianapolis, respectively. Elliott’s Hendrick Motorsports teammate Kyle Larson, who won last year at Watkins Glen, is at +800 followed by Ross Chastain (+900) and Austin Cindric (+1000).

WATKINS GLEN, NEW YORK - AUGUST 08: Tyler Reddick, driver of the #8 Chevrolet, drives during the NASCAR Cup Series Go Bowling at The Glen at Watkins Glen International on August 08, 2021 in Watkins Glen, New York. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
Tyler Reddick, No. 8, has won the past two NASCAR Cup Series road course races, the first two wins of his career, entering Watkins Glen this weekend. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

Yahoo Sports’ Nick Bromberg suggests a pair of Joe Gibbs racing drivers as good mid-tier value with both Kyle Busch and Martin Truex Jr. sitting at +2000. If you’re looking for a longshot, Bromberg suggests the Hendrick Chevrolet of William Byron (+3300), who likely won’t have such long odds the rest of the season.

Ringers in action at Watkins Glen

Road course races in the Cup Series typically attract road racing specialists from open-wheel and sportscar circuits and this weekend will be no different. Five non-Cup Series regulars will compete this weekend, setting a record with seven nations represented in a single race in NASCAR’s top series. Here’s a look at the five ringers for the weekend:

  • Kimi Raikkonen, Finland: 2007 Formula 1 world champion, making his NASCAR debut

  • Mike Rockenfeller, Germany: Sportscar and endurance driver, making his debut

  • Daniil Kvyat, Russia: Former F1 driver, making his second start

  • Loris Hezemans, Netherlands: 2019 European stock car champion, making his fourth start

  • Kyle Tilley, U.K.: Sportscar and endurance driver, making his fifth start

Monterrey, Mexico’s Daniel Suarez, who won on the Sonoma road course in June, has been a Cup full-timer since 2017 and every other Series regular is from the United States.

Formula One F1 - Abu Dhabi Grand Prix - Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - December 12, 2021 Alfa Romeo's Kimi Raikkonen after his last ever F1 race Pool via REUTERS/Kamran Jebreili
Formula 1 2007 world champion Kimi Raikkonen will make his NASCAR debut this weekend at Watkins Glen. (Photo by REUTERS/Kamran Jebreili)

Watkins Glen layout, history and what to expect

The storied circuit in central New York has hosted the top series in every form of motorsport at one time or another since opening in 1957. The NASCAR Cup Series has been racing there continuously since 1986 and its winningest drivers at the circuit are three of its all-time legends with Tony Stewart claiming five wins, Jeff Gordon winning four and Mark Martin taking three.

Its NASCAR configuration is just a shade under 2.5 miles with 11 turns – seven to the right, four to the left – and features stunning elevation changes along the natural contours of the land. The course features a fast, sweeping, uphill S section, a bus stop chicane and a 180-degree downhill carousel. Three long straights leading into low-speed corners make for popular passing zones.

As with any road course, with fewer passing opportunities than ovals, track position is king. Since 2010 the race has been won from outside the top six starting positions just once. There are typically on-track incidents leading to cautions with the average green-flag run being 14 laps of the 90-lap race.

Weather forecast for the Go Bowling at the Glen

Warm and partly cloudy with a chance of thunderstorms. The forecast is clear and warm for Saturday’s practice and qualifying but it cools down considerably and there is a 35 percent chance of thunderstorms on Sunday. Even if it doesn’t rain on Sunday the change in track temperature from one day to the next could make for some more competitive races as setups that worked the day before may fall to the wayside.