The Super Low Tier – Watkins Glen
Justin Haley (Starting – 30th) Justin Haley will be one of the top “Super Low Tier” drivers at Watkins Glen. This year at road courses minus COTA where he had a “Steering” problem related DNF (40th), Haley’s 2 for 2 at finishing in the mid-twenties. In his two incident free races at road courses, Haley has results of 24th (Daytona RC) and 25th (Road America). In 8 of the last 10 races heading into the weekend, Haley has finished between 25th to 30th. On Sunday, look for Haley to finish around that range again.
James Davison (Starting – 36th) At Watkins Glen, I think James Davison has a good chance to be the top “Super Low Tier performer” in the #51 (Typically drives the #15, but still in Rick Ware equipment). This year at road courses, he’s 4 for 4 at finishing in the 20’s and his average finish is a “Super Low Tier” best 26.3. This year at serpentine tracks, Davison’s results are 23rd (Daytona RC), 29th (COTA), 25th (Sonoma) and 28th (Road America). In a Cup car, Davison has never made a start at Watkins Glen. On Sunday, I think he’ll be a mid to high-twenties driver.
Garrett Smithley (Starting – 32nd) Garrett Smithley will be making his Watkins Glen Cup debut on Sunday. This year at road courses, he hasn’t been a bad “Super Low Tier” driver and over his three races his average finish is 29.0, which actually ranks as the 2nd best among drivers of this tier. This year at road courses, Smithley’s results are 27th (Daytona RC), 28th (COTA) and 32nd (Sonoma). At Watkins Glen, look for Smithley to be a high-twenties to low-thirties driver.
Josh Bilicki (Starting – 34th) Josh Bilicki has finished better in each new road course race this year, so perhaps there’s hope! This year at road courses his results are 23rd (Road America), 29th (Sonoma), 30th (COTA) and 36th (Daytona RC). In 2019 when the series most recently raced at Watkins Glen, Bilicki finished 32nd and had a 31.4 average running position. In 2018, Bilicki had electrical problems and finished 36th. At Watkins Glen, look for Bilicki to be a high-twenties to low-thirties driver.
Kyle Tilley (Starting – 33rd) Kyle Tilley will be returning to action at Watkins Glen and he’ll be driving the #78. This year in this ride, he’s been in two Cup races and his results are 31st (COTA) and 35th (Road America). On Sunday, look for Tilley to have a similar level of performance and be a low to mid-thirties driver.
RC Enerson (Starting – 37th) When you see this name, I’m sure you’re just as puzzled as me? Who is this? RC Enerson is a part-time Xfinity Series driver with Indy car experience. With just one Xfinity Series start on his resume (24th at Road America in 2020), and just 4 Indy cars starts with his most recent being in 2019, I would say those definitions are very loose! I do know he’s driving the # 15, and this year at road courses in that ride James Davison has piloted it to results of 23rd (Daytona RC), 29th (COTA), 25th (Sonoma) and 28th (Road America). Davison has Cup experience to his name, Enerson does not, so I think he’ll likely be a low to mid-thirties driver.
Quin Houff (Starting – 35th) Quin Houff has never made a Cup start at Watkins Glen. This year at road courses, Houff has been quite bad and has finished 34th or worse every race. This year at serpentine tracks, Houff’s results are 34th (Road America), 34th (COTA), 36th (Sonoma) and 40th (Daytona RC). On Sunday, I think it’s clear he’s likely about a mid-thirties driver.
