Watkins Glen Go Bowling At The Glen Fantasy NASCAR Front Runner Rankings

Ross Chastain
Watkins Glen Fantasy Outlook – Ross Chastain has back-to-back top tens at Watkins Glen and was a serious contender to win in 2024, but with the current competitive state of the #1, I think viewing him as a teen’s driver who’ll potentially finish in the top ten is the right play. So far this season minus Atlanta and Talladega, he’s yet to crack the top 15. To start the 2026 road course racing season, Chastain was a top ten contender at COTA until he lost a wheel, leading to his 35th. Overall at road courses since 2025, Chastain ranks 13th in terms of Track Type Total Speed Rankings.
Watkins Glen Track History – In the Next Gen at Watkins Glen, Ross Chastain has been strong and over the combined races he ranks 6th in terms of Next Gen Speed Rankings, 6th for Driver Rating and is tied for the 10th best average finish (13.3). Over the last two, Chastain’s average finish is 7th. Last year, Chastain was solid. In the race, Chastain finished 10th, had a 10.0 average running position (6th best), earned the 7th best Driver Rating and ranked 6th in terms of Total Speed Rankings. In 2024, Chastain was stout. In the race, Chastain started 1st, had the best average running position (4.8), earned the best Driver Rating, led the most laps (51) and then finished 4th. In terms of Total Speed Rankings, Chastain ranked 2nd but take note his speed over the segments were 1st, 1st, 3rd and 11th, so he clearly wasn’t at his best late.

Bubba Wallace
Watkins Glen Fantasy Outlook – Bubba Wallace has been showing up at road courses with a little more confidence and at Watkins Glen, I wouldn’t count him out from finishing well. Wallace finished 8th last year and in 2 of the last 3 he’s finished in the top 12. This spring at COTA to begin the 2026 road course racing season, Wallace finished 11th. Heading into the weekend, I would view Wallace as a teens driver who might flirt with a top ten.
Watkins Glen Track History – In the Next Gen at Watkins Glen, Wallace has a 50% top 12 finish rate and over the last three his average finish is 12.3. Last year, Wallace had a solid showing. In the race, Wallace finished 8th, earned the 8th best Driver Rating, had the 10th best average running position (14.9) and ranked 15th in terms of Total Speed Rankings. In 2024, Wallace had a pretty un-notable afternoon. In the race, Wallace finished 17th, had a 26.6 average running position and ranked 30th in terms of Total Speed Rankings. In 2023, Wallace started 12th, finished 8th in Stage #1, finished 9th in Stage #2, had a 10.3 average running position and then finished 12th. In terms of speed stats, Wallace ranked 9th for Total Speed Rankings and 11th for Speed Late In A Run. In 2022, Wallace didn’t run well and DNF’ed due to “Suspension issues.” “Performance Wise”, Wallace was likely a mid 20’s performer if he didn’t have problems.

Austin Cindric
Watkins Glen Fantasy Outlook – At Watkins Glen, I think it’s reasonable to have teen expectations with Austin Cindric. Cindric has a 13.8 average finish (12th best in the Next Gen) and overall, he’s 4 for 4 at finishing between 10th to 16th. Also in the Next Gen era, Cindric ranks 12th in terms of Driver Rating and 19th in terms of Next Gen Speed Rankings. Cindric has become a hard driver to trust at road courses, and he frequently underperforms but he’s yet to do that here.
Watkins Glen Track History – Austin Cindric has been solid at Watkins Glen, finishing in the top 16 every race and having a 13.8 average finish. Last year, Cindric was a mid-teens performer. In the race, Cindric finished 16th, had the 16th best Total Speed ranking and had a 15.4 average running position. In 2024, Cindric had a solid afternoon. In the race, Cindric finished 10th, had a 14.1 average running position and earned the 12th best Driver Rating. In terms of speed stats, Cindric had the 12th best Total Speed Ranking and ranked 12th for Speed Late In A Run. In 2023, Cindric finished 16th, had a 19.2 average running position and then ranked 24th in terms of Total Speed Rankings. In 2022, Cindric finished 13th.

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