It’s time for road racing at Watkins Glen this week. Which drivers will rise to the occasion and master the incredible twists and turns at the Cheez-It 355?
As “The Chase” draws near, the balance of order is being shaken up after one of the strangest weeks last week at Pocono Raceway. It was a race where no one was safe as drivers, crew members and gas tanks all took major bumps en route to one of the wildest finishes of the season.
For weeks, Kyle Busch had been the story of the Sprint Cup Season as he had won three straight races and four of five overall. He had people believing on the final lap of Sunday’s race that he was about to win his fourth straight, until he like his counterpart, Joey Logano, ran out of gas and had to coast to the finish line.
The move proved to be costly, as Busch, who had moved into the top-30 in points and earned himself a spot in “The Chase,” fell out of the top-30 points and out of a spot. Once again, it’s back to the climb for the No. 18 as he will have to make back up 13 points if he’s going to compete for a Sprint Cup Championship.
All wasn’t so bad for Joe Gibbs Racing after Kyle Busch ran out of gas. It ended up being his teammate, Matt Kenseth, who ended up passing him for the win, which was his second of the season. For Kenseth, it was a big boost in momentum, as he has notoriously struggled at the track throughout his career.
After a wacky week at Pocono, it’s time to shake things up even more, as NASCAR heads for it’s second road course of the season at Watkins Glen International for the Cheez-It 350. Kyle Busch, after falling short of a win, should like his chances after winning the first road race this season at Sonoma.
For some drivers, that are road course specialists and need a win to get in “The Chase,” this race could be everything. At Sonoma, AJ Allmendinger had one of the fastest cars, but ended up having car issues which ended his day. Allmendinger got in last year by winning at the Cheez-It 355, and he’s going to have do it again if he’s going to compete for the Sprint Cup Championship.
With many drivers looking to change their fortune on Sunday, and others likely to see their dream end, the Cheez-It 355 at “The Glen” should be a good one. Who will come out on top, when the smoke clears?
Race Notes
Track: Watkins Glen International
Date/Time: Sunday, August 9, 2015 2:00 p.m. ET
TV: NBC Sports
Laps: 90
Most Wins: Tony Stewart (5)
Fantasy Outlook: Fantasycpr gives the best bets for this week’s race
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