Setup Sheet: Watkins Glen
It’s that time of year again to head up to the Finger Lakes region of New York to Watkins Glen. Why are they called the “Finger Lakes” well literally no one knows. There’s no origin story, DC can’t turn it into a trilogy. Thanks to Glaciers we have the Finger Lakes and while some consider upstate New York to be a utopia (nxivm), in reality, it just seems like a decent place to summer for a weekend. And contrary to what Marshawn Lynch thought when he got drafted by the Buffalo Bills, there’s more New York outside of New York City.
NASCAR heads to Watkins Glen for the 41st time this weekend, the series has made an annual visit since 1986 minus 2020 when people couldn’t stand within 6 feet of one another. For the first and probably last time the race finds itself in the playoffs with a few things to break down in this week’s setup sheet;
Ringers And A First Timer
One of the most anticipated debuts in recent memory will happen this weekend, Connor Zilisch will make his first NASCAR Xfinity Series start piloting the #88 JRM car that he will race full-time in 2025. Zilisch is THE prospect currently in the Chevy development pipeline, the 18-year-old has won in everything he’s raced. This is a Ty Gibbs, Joey Logano-level talent that will have a ton of attention his way.
Zillisch made his Truck Series debut earlier in the season at COTA where he won the pole easily, blew the first corner, and rebounded for a Top-5 finish. He now comes to Watkins Glen with one of the best teams in the Xfinity Series and the expectation is to contend. Zilisch nearly won the ARCA race at Watkins Glen last year with a broken front sway bar and it took Jesse Love moving him in the last corner to win the race. Expect Zilisch to be a contender, but remember, SVG and AJ Allmendinger are in this race. SVG has won the last three Xfinity races on road courses too.
Have people forgotten that Juan Pablo Montoya will be back this weekend? No, because I keep seeing jet dryer jokes which is unfortunate for one of the most naturally talented drivers ever to be known for that. Like the Mark Sanchez butt fumble of NASCAR. But after 10 years away Montoya is back this weekend with 23XI Racing in the #50 car, will he be rusty? Yeah absolutely, like Aaron Rodgers on Monday Night Football but expect him to be competent and a Top-20 shouldn’t be out of the question.
For betting purposes, if you live in a fun state, Shane van Gisbergen and AJ Allmendinger are both in the NASCAR Cup race this weekend as well so plan accordingly. But if you’re going to bet, read the next section first.
Hendrick Motorsports Going For The 6-Peat
Hendrick Motorsports might want to ask NASCAR/ISC for the deed to Watkins Glen because they have owned the track since 2018. Remember when LeBron said “Not one, not two, not three, not four”;
Yeah that should be Rick Hendrick because HMS is going for their 6th straight win at Watkins Glen this weekend. Since 2018 they can’t be beaten;
2018: Chase Elliott
2019: Chase Elliott
2021: Kyle Larson
2022: Kyle Larson
2023: William Byron
2024: ???
Can William Byron continue the trend by going back-to-back like his Hendrick teammates? Keep in mind too HMS has led 58% of the laps in the last 5 races at The Glen. Also, just for note the 2020 edition was moved to the Daytona Road Course because of Covid restrictions and Chase Elliott won that race too.
NEW TIRE TIME NEW TIRE TIME
Tires with Shane Gillis is a very funny show on Netflix, Goodyear tires, are traditionally not funny. However, Goodyear is feeling pretty loose this weekend because they’re bringing a new tire to Watkins Glen that is supposed to have 3 seconds of fall-off over a run. That’s a game changer, that adds in a new variable, gone are the Fred Flinstone specials that will last an entire race. Will it be enough to mess up how this race is traditionally run strategy-wise? There’s a chance we see an extra pit stop this year and if there’s a late race caution strap in.
In other tire news, NASCAR is bringing the same tire from spring Bristol to the Bristol night race next weekend. Great news! The track will apply resin after the truck race on Thursday night. At a recent tire test, this summer teams recreated the tire issue from the spring, turns out it isn’t ambient air dependent. We’re about to see tires fall off like Michigan football, drastic and fast.
And finally for the last bit of tire news, who doesn’t love tires, I have 6 tires in my garage right now. Goodyear will be bringing the soft tire to Martinsville for the right side tires and an even SOFTER tire for the left side. Maybe, just maybe Martinsville will be good for the first time in the Gen 7 era.
Final Note
Appreciate everyone for reading, let me know if I should keep doing these Set Up Sheet blogs each Thursday before the race weekend.
Expect more blogs as well, hopefully, one a day. I’ll post them to Twitter (X) whatever you want to call it. Puff Daddy, P. Diddy, Diddy, whatever man. You can also subscribe and have them delivered right to your inbox, I promise I won’t spam you like j.crew does because you bought a pair of chinos three years ago.
