Check the latest betting odds, race preview, and top picks for Sunday’s 90‑lap road‑course showdown at Watkins Glen International.
Check the latest betting odds, race preview, and top picks for Sunday’s 90‑lap road‑course showdown at Watkins Glen International.
The NASCAR Cup Series shifts from Iowa’s short oval to the sweeping corners of Watkins Glen International for the annual Go Bowling at The Glen on Sunday, August 10. The 2.45‑mile New York road course features 90 laps (220.5 miles) split into three stages (20‑20‑50 laps) and is renowned for heavy braking zones, fast esses, and pit strategy battles.
Shane van Gisbergen arrives as the clear favorite with the top online sportsbooks after three road‑course wins this season, including dominant performances in Mexico City, Chicago, and Sonoma. The Kiwi rookie thrives on mixed‑direction layouts and has nothing to lose with his playoff spot secured, freeing him to race aggressively for another win.
Connor Zilisch continues to steal headlines, running triple duty in Trucks, Xfinity, and Cup this weekend. The 19‑year‑old won last year’s Xfinity race at The Glen and is riding hot form, making him one of the most intriguing dark‑horse plays on the board.
Hendrick Motorsports veterans Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott are always dangerous here; Larson owns back‑to‑back Glen wins (2021‑22) and already claimed Sonoma this year, while Elliott has two prior Glen victories and sits firmly in playoff contention. William Byron, fresh off his Iowa win, returns to the site of his 2023 triumph looking to lock up more playoff points.
Drivers like Tyler Reddick, Christopher Bell, and AJ Allmendinger also profile well for The Glen with strong road‑course resumes. Meanwhile, playoff‑bubble contenders such as Alex Bowman and Chris Buescher will need to balance stage points with track position in a race likely to feature split strategies.
Cooler New York weather and the return of stage breaks should only heighten the late‑race drama.
More odds available at BetOnline
Van Gisbergen is unmatched on road courses this year, winning three straight on similar layouts and qualifying on pole in each. Trackhouse’s setup suits The Glen perfectly, and with no points pressure, he can afford aggressive strategy calls. At +140 with BetOnline, he’s the justifiable favorite and the safest outright pick.
Larson’s history at The Glen — two wins and multiple stage victories — makes him a prime podium candidate despite inconsistency elsewhere this summer. He also won at Sonoma earlier this year, proving Hendrick’s road‑course package remains elite. A top‑three ticket at +400 with BetOnline offers value without needing him to outduel van Gisbergen outright.
The 19‑year‑old phenom is already a road‑course ace with an Xfinity win here and multiple podiums this season. His aggressive style suits The Glen’s long straights and heavy braking zones, and Trackhouse equipment gives him the tools to surprise. At -140.85 with BetOnline, a top‑five play for Zilisch is one of the safest bets of the day.