Watkins Glen hosts a NASCAR Cup Collection playoff race for the primary time this weekend, and there are a couple of totally different storylines to trace going into Sunday afternoon.
The racetrack itself is the primary one.
NASCAR has eradicated the elevated curbing going into the “Bus Cease” for smoother and shorter rumble strips. The change resulted from a number of drivers sharing mouthpiece knowledge following the 2023 race that confirmed the G forces they have been taking from going over the curbs with the Subsequent Gen automotive.
However drivers aren’t certain if the adjustments will have an effect on the racing. If something, Ty Gibbs stated this week that drivers could be extra aggressive going into the Bus Cease and have extra velocity.
“I acquired to run it into the sim … I didn’t really feel prefer it was too totally different,” Gibbs stated. “It was a bit sooner, actually.”
However as soon as he will get on observe for observe, Gibbs admitted he would have a greater reply. Saturday’s observe session may also be extremely intriguing to Austin Cindric, who additionally believes that’s the place drivers will shortly be taught what they will and can’t do — or how a lot the adjustments will come into play, if in any respect.
“I really feel like there are a few tenths of a second into every nook that you would be able to achieve by utilizing a whole lot of the runoff,” Cindric stated. “However, in any other case, I actually suppose it would all look actually comparable.”
One other observe change is off Flip 1 — rumble strips have been added the place drivers go broad off the nook.
“You don’t actually understand how a lot it’s going to restrict the automobiles,” Cindric stated. “Is it simply going to chew up tires? Is it not going to alter something in any respect? I feel that’s up till observe — we’ll have a fairly good learn at that, however in any other case, it’s going to alter the racing line a bit bit. The intent is to not use as a lot of the runoff as we now have within the Subsequent Gen automotive on the exit of Flip 1. Don’t ask me why that’s, it’s simply type of the place it’s gone with it, whether or not it’s as a result of it’s extra of a momentum automotive or what.”
Cup Collection groups could have an prolonged observe session Saturday. That is due to the observe adjustments and the third primary storyline: Goodyear is bringing a brand new tire compound.
The brand new tire is anticipated to supply some fall-off, however how a lot is but to be seen. Throughout preliminary testing, Goodyear noticed as a lot as 4 seconds of fall-off. However throughout a wheel drive check that fall was out of the blue much less.
The variable will seemingly dictate a workforce’s technique. Watkins Glen is a race the place groups flip the phases and select both observe place or factors.
“In our ongoing efforts to introduce extra fall-off, we examined at Watkins Glen in June and got here out with a brand new tire that may accomplish that aim,” stated Greg Stucker, Goodyear’s director of racing. “Based mostly on our check and a subsequent (wheel drive) check with the producers, we should always see round three seconds of fall-off per lap over a run. That, in fact, can imply extra passing all through the race.
“It’s at all times difficult on highway programs as drivers benefit from a restricted variety of ‘passing zones,’ so the elevated fall-off ought to result in extra comers and goers as some drivers handle their tires and achieve on the sector because the runs go on.”
The second race within the postseason, Watkins Glen will proceed to separate the drivers who will advance from those that will go into the elimination race with their backs towards the wall. William Byron is the defending race winner, sitting 33 factors above the cutline.
Austin Cindric helped his trigger with a robust factors day at Atlanta Motor Speedway, which put him 27 factors above the cutline. Cindric is aware of that Watkins Glen is one other alternative race for his workforce.
Cindric, Alex Bowman and Daniel Suarez all sit over 20 factors above the cutline. These three won’t have been favorites coming into the postseason, however a robust begin places them in a great place to outlive and advance.
Kyle Larson and Denny Hamlin want rebound days at Watkins Glen. Martin Truex Jr. is already in a gap after an incident within the playoff opener. All three are former winners at Watkins Glen.
Some further miscellaneous notes for this weekend:
• Christopher Bell has the perfect common end of energetic drivers within the Cup Collection at Watkins Glen: 6.0.
• Hendrick Motorsports has gained the final 5 Cup Collection races at Watkins Glen with William Byron (2023), Kyle Larson (2022, 2021) and Chase Elliott (2019, 2018).
• Austin Dillon makes his four-hundredth begin this weekend.
• Juan Pablo Montoya makes his return to NASCAR this weekend with 23XI Racing. It is going to be Montoya’s first Cup Collection begin since 2014.
• Shane van Gisbergen is within the area for Kaulig Racing within the No. 16 Chevrolet.
• AJ Allmendinger can be within the area for Kaulig Racing within the No. 13 Chevrolet, which supplies the group three entries at Watkins Glen.
