Watkins Glen Fantasy NASCAR Front Runner Rankings

Austin Cindric
Watkins Glen Fantasy Spin – At Watkins Glen, I would view Austin Cindric as a top ten contender. Cindric is a solid road course racer and since 2022 at Traditional Road Courses (Road courses minus Rovals and Chicago) his Total Speed Ranking is the 11th best, and minus Sonoma 2023 where he was shockingly uncompetitive, his average finish is 7.8 and he’s had a result in the top 13 every race.
Watkins Glen Track History – Austin Cindric had a solid but not flashy Watkins Glen debut last summer in the #2. In the race, Cindric finished 13th, had the 15th best Green Flag Speed and a 16.4 average running position.

Ty Gibbs
Watkins Glen Fantasy Spin – At Watkins Glen, look for Ty Gibbs to be a low double-digit to mid-teens driver who’ll compete for a top ten. This year at the Traditional Road Courses, Gibbs has results of 9th (COTA) and 18th (Sonoma). For the season over the combined road course races, Gibbs has the 8th best Total Speed Ranking.
Watkins Glen Track History – Last year at Watkins Glen early in his Cup career, Ty Gibbs started in the rear of the field due to unapproved adjustments, had a 28.1 average running position, the 28th best Total Speed Ranking and then finished 26th. Toyota had engine concerns across the board that weekend, and since it was so early in his Cup career, I wouldn’t read into it.

Ross Chastain
Watkins Glen Fantasy Spin – At Watkins Glen, make sure Ross Chastain is on your radar. In the Next Gen at Traditional Road Courses, Chastain has the 2nd best average finish (7.8) and he’s tied for having the 2nd best Total Speed Ranking. This year at the traditional road courses, Chastain finished 4th at COTA and 10th at Sonoma. Chastain’s track record at Watkins Glen is nothing to get excited about but I’m willing to view him as a risky top ten contender heading into the weekend.
Watkins Glen Track History – Ross Chastain has a pretty ugly track record at Watkins Glen with him finishing 21st or worse in 3 of his 4 starts. Last year, Chastain didn’t run well and also spun out at one point (didn’t hurt him too much since he was back in the 20’s on lap 64 when it happened). When the checkered flag waved, Chastain finished 21st and had a 19.5 average running position. I will note, Chastain had speed and ranked 13th for Total Speed Rankings and 14th for Speed Late In A Run, so he probably did have more potential than I’m giving him credit for. In 2021 in the #42, Chastain started 12th, finished 12th, had a 10.4 average running position, had the 11th best Total Speed Ranking and ranked 7th for speed late in a run.

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