Watkins Glen Fantasy NASCAR Mid Pack Predictions

Erik Jones
Watkins Glen Fantasy Spin – Erik Jones has been great at Watkins Glen and has an 80% top ten finish rate over his five starts. The #43 is on an upswing, so he has upside for those willing to roll the dice. That said, Jones has been pretty bad this year at Traditional Road Courses and has results of 23rd (COTA) and 32nd (Sonoma). In terms of Total Speed Rankings since 2022 at Traditional Road Courses, Jones has the 28th best Total Speed Ranking.
Watkins Glen Track History – Erik Jones has been great at Watkins Glen and in 4 of his 5 starts he’s finished in the top ten. Last year, Jones had a solid showing and finished 10th. Additionally, Jones had the 13th best Total Speed Ranking and a 15.2 average running position. In 2021, Jones simply didn’t run well in the #43 and finished 27th. In the three races prior to that when he was in the much more competitive #20, Jones had results of 4th (2019), 5th (2018) and 10th (2017).

Justin Haley
Watkins Glen Fantasy Spin – At Watkins Glen, I think Justin Haley will be mid-pack at best without much upside. Haley was mid-pack last year at “The Glen” and at traditional road courses in the Next Gen, Haley has the 23rd best Total Speed Ranking and an 18.2 average finish. This year at the two traditional road courses visited he has results of 19th (COTA) and 21st (Sonoma).
Watkins Glen Track History – Last year at Watkins Glen, Justin Haley finished 18th, had the 22nd best Total Speed Ranking and had a 25.3 average running position. He did have a window net problem early which led to an unexpected pit stop, but I don’t think it wasn’t ultimately a big deal for him. In 2021 in the less competitive #77 he finished 29th.

Corey LaJoie
Watkins Glen Fantasy Spin – Corey LaJoie has shown potential at road courses this year, but I can’t say I feel comfortable picking him at Watkins Glen where he’s been so bad. That said, LaJoie does have results of 11th (COTA) and 20th (Sonoma) at the Traditional Road Courses this year, so I guess there’s some hope. On Sunday, I would just view him as a 20’s performer who might have upside.
Watkins Glen Track History – At Watkins Glen, Corey LaJoie has a 29.5 average finish over his four starts. Last year, LaJoie finished 27th and had the 30th best Total Speed Ranking. His average running position was 17.8, but I’ll attribute that to pit strategy. In 2021, LaJoie had his best Watkins Glen race and finished 24th. In his two starts prior to that, LaJoie had finishes of 33rd and 34th.

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