Watkins Glen Fantasy NASCAR Top Tier Elite Picks

Chase Elliott
Watkins Glen Fantasy Spin – 7-time road course winner, Chase Elliott is the premier performer at Watkins Glen and on Sunday, there’s no question he’ll be tough to beat. Watkins Glen ranks as one of Elliott’s best tracks, and you better believe HMS has been putting in overtime to optimize the #9 in hopes of securing a Playoff berth. “Performance Wise” at Watkins Glen, Elliott could easily have 4 straight wins if the last two would’ve been incident free. In the Next Gen at “Traditional Road Courses” (Road courses minus Rovals and Chicago), Elliott has a series best 4.6 average finish and the best Total Speed Ranking. In 2023 at road courses, Chase Elliott is 3 for 3 at finishing in the top five and has a 3.3 average finish.
Watkins Glen Track History – Chase Elliott is a super-elite performer at Watkins Glen and in recent races, he’s been the class of the field. Over the last four, Elliott has 2 wins, a 2.0 average finish, one runner-up, the best driver rating by a wide margin and he’s averaged leading 40.3 laps per race. Last year, Elliott had the race all but won until a late caution came out while leading which led to him getting body slammed on the restart from Larson which led to his 4th. In the race, Elliott had a 4.4 average running position, led 29 laps and earned the best driver rating. In 2021, Elliott had a great car and finished runner-up, despite starting in the rear of the field and making an unexpected pit stop for flat spotting his tires on lap 31. If Elliott didn’t have those problems, I think he probably would’ve won. In terms of Total Speed Rankings, Elliott ranked 6th but take note his speed over the segments were 14th, 19th, 3rd and then 1st. In 2019, Elliott started on the pole, finished 1st, had a 1.3 average running position, led 80 laps and was just .3 shy of earning a perfect driver rating. In terms of speed analytics, Elliott had the best Total Speed Ranking and his speed over the segments were 1st, 1st, 1st and then 2nd. In 2018, Elliott raced his way to victory lane for the first win of his career (led 52 laps).

Kyle Larson
Watkins Glen Fantasy Spin – Kyle Larson is a 4-time road course winner, and half his wins on this track type have come at Watkins Glen where he’s 2 for 2 at reaching victory lane in the #5. Larson is one of the best here, and there’s no reason why he won’t once again be a contender and perhaps go 3 for 3 at reaching victory lane in his current ride. In the Next Gen at Traditional Road Courses, Larson has the 8th best Total Speed Ranking and minus COTA 2022 & Sonoma 2022 his average finish is 6.5. In 2023 at road courses over the combined events, Larson has an 8.5 average finish and the 9th best Total Speed Ranking.
Watkins Glen Track History – Kyle Larson has back-to-back wins at Watkins Glen in the #5, so make sure he’s on your short list. Over the last four Watkins Glen races going back to his time in the #42, Larson has a 4.0 average finish and he’s one of just 2 drivers who are 4 for 4 at finishing in the top ten. Last year, Larson had a great car and raced his way to victory lane after body slamming Chase Elliott during the final restart for the lead. In addition to winning, Larson led 5 laps, had a 7.7 average running position and had the fastest car over the final quarter of the race. In 2021, Larson was the class of the field and easily raced his way to victory lane. In the race, Larson finished 2nd in Stage #1, 4th in Stage #2, led 27 laps, had the best Total Speed Ranking and was the 2nd Fastest Driver Late In A Run. In the two races prior to that, Larson had results of 8th and 6th.

Martin Truex Jr.
Watkins Glen Fantasy Spin – Martin Truex will be a contender at Watkins Glen. Truex is without question one of the best in the business here and minus last year where JGR was out to lunch on this track type, Truex’s next four most recent results were 3rd, 2nd, 2nd and 1st. With Truex’s display of domination at Sonoma early in the summer, I have no doubt the #19 will be ready to perform. With the recent form of the #19 and his proven track prowess, look for Truex to finish in the top five and compete for the win.
Watkins Glen Track History – Martin Truex Jr. is a super-elite performer at Watkins Glen. The #19 was M.I.A last summer when JGR was down on speed at road courses but over the four races prior to that, Truex had 1 win, finished in the top 3 every race, had a 2.0 average finish, a 3.6 average running position, the best driver rating and he was 4 for 4 at finishing in the top 3. Last year at Watkins Glen, Truex never really liked his car and was down on speed. When the checkered flag waved, Truex finished 23rd and had a 21.1 average running position. In 2021, Truex won Stage #2, led a race high 34 laps, had a race best 3.5 average running position and then finished 3rd when the checkered flag waved. In terms of Total Speed Rankings, Truex ranked 2nd and his speed over the segments were 1st, 1st, 2nd and then 8th. In 2019, Truex had a great performance. He finished 3rd in Stage #1, 2nd in Stage #2, finished 2nd overall, had a 3.3 average running position, was the Fastest Driver Late In A Run and had the 2nd best Total Speed Ranking. His speed over the segments were 2,2,2 and 1. In 2018, Truex had a great performance. When the checkered flag waved, Truex finished 2nd, earned the 3rd best driver rating and had a 4th place average running position. In 2017, Truex was fast and raced his way to victory lane. He excelled over long runs and had enough fuel to go the distance. In addition to winning, Truex earned the best driver rating, had a 3rd place average running position, led a race high 24 laps and finished 2nd in the first two Stages. In 2016, Truex finished 7th, but take note in that race he was spun while running in 2nd when the finish line was in sight.

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