When the drivers in the Cup Series Go Bowling at the Glen 300, for the first time in Cup Series history seven countries will be represented by the 39 drivers. While the majority of the drivers are U.S. natives; Finland, Mexico, the Netherlands, Germany, Russia, and the United Kingdom will also be represented.
Among those drivers is Formula One driver Kimi Raikkonen driving in the special Project 91 car for Trackhouse Racing.
During the pre-qualifying inspection process the number five Hendrick Mototsports car driven by Kyle Larson failed inspection twice; as a result the team will lose a crew member and a chance to select his pit stall; but will get to start the race in his qualifying position.
During practice Ty Gibbs gets into the tire barrier; saying that he go too loose. Christopher Bell blew an engine and will not make a qualifying run and will start the race from the back of the field. Cody Ware also did not make a qualifying run.
The drivers are divided into two groups for qualifying and will have 15 minutes to run as many laps as they wish to post their best time. The top five drivers from each group will move on to round two to make a run for the pole.
Kyle Tilley gets into the barrier while making his qualifying run and brings out the red flag.
From Group A Chase Elliott, Kyle Larson, Chris Buescher, Tyler Reddick, and AJ Allmendinger will move on to round two.
In Group B William Byron, Michael McDowell, Austin Cindric, Daniel Suarez, and Kyle Busch will move on to round two of qualifying.
Posting a time of 70.477 seconds around the 2.45 mile road course, Chase Elliott puts his number nine car on the pole. Team mate Kyle Larson will start alongside Elliott on the front row.
The starting lineup for the Go Bowling at the Glen 300:
Chase Elliott
Kyle Larson
Michael McDowell
William Byron
Tyler Reddick
AJ Allmendinger
Chris Buescher
Austin Cindric
Daniel Suarez
Kyle Busch
Alex Bowman
Austin Dillon
Justin Haley
Chase Briscoe
Brad Keselowski
Ty Gibbs
Joey Hand
Ross Chastain
Todd Gilliland
Joey Logano
Ricky Stenhouse Jr
Denny Hamlin
Bubba Wallace
Kevin Harvick
Martin Truex Jr
Ryan Blaney
Kimi Raikkonen
Ty Dillon
Cole Custer
Harrison Burton
Eirk Jones
Corey LaJoie
Mike Rockenfeller
Loris Hezemans
Aric Almirola
Daniil Kvyat
Kyle Tilley
Christopher Bell
Cody Ware
Stages one and two of the race are 20 laps each with stage three lasting 50 laps for a total of 90 laps around the 2.45 mile track.
Race start is delayed due to weather. While the drivers will race in the rain, they cannot race with lightening in the area.
Along with Christopher Bell starting in the back of the field after an engine change, Kyle Busch will also give up his tenth place starting spot and move to the back of the field with an engine change. William Byron, Daniil Kvyat, Ty Gibbs, Cody Ware, and Kyle Tilley will also have to start the race from the back of the field after crews made some unapproved adjustments to the cars.
The lightening has moved away and NASCAR has called for a 4:09pm EDT start time. The drivers will start the race under wet weather conditions – rain tires, windshield wipers, and red visual lights. The cars are also equipped with a “mud flap” to aid with visibility and many of the cars are equipped with defoggers to help keep the windows clear.
This will be the first time the drivers have raced the Next Gen cars under wet weather conditions. Kevin Harvick noted that the biggest issue will be visibility. AND Goodyear has brought a new rain tire for the cars.
NASCAR has announced that the start of the race and all restarts under wet conditions will be single file.
NASCAR Hall of Fame driver Rusty Wallace is the grand marshal for today’s race and gives the command to start the engines.
After the drivers have run a few pace laps, NASCAR has brought the drivers down pit road with the drivers staying in their cars while they address a few “puddle” conditions.
The radar shows that the will move through the area in the not too distance future.
On pit road, crews are working on Chase Elliott’s radio. The 77 car of Mike Rockenfeller is having some wiper issues that are being addressed.
Crowds can be heard from the crowd as the car covers come off and the window nets get put back up in preparation for the drivers to get going again.
There may be some radio issue in Christopher Bell’s car.
The teams have five sets of each tire – wet and slicks – in the pits.
Nearly two hours past the original start time, Chase Elliott brings the field down for the green flag start of the race. Drivers quickly get three and four wide through the field with Chase Elliott taking the lead. Michael McDowell passes Kyle Larson for second.
Drivers who miss the carousel or bus stop must come to a complete stop before moving on.
Lap two, Chase Elliott leads the race with Michael McDowell in second. AJ Allmendinger spins out after some contact from Austin Cindric but the track stays green. Harrison Burton also spins out.
The top five are Chase Elliott, Michael McDowell, Kyle Larson, Tyler Reddick, and Chris Buescher.
Lap three Tyler Reddick battle with Kyle Larson for third.
Lap four, Michael McDowell battle with Chase Elliott for the lead and is the new leader.
Michael McDowell leads the race with Tyler Reddick in second; Chase Elliott, Kyle Larson, and Chris Buescher round out the top five.
Kyle Larson missed the bus stop and had to come to a stop to serve the penalty.
Justin Haley had to make an unscheduled trip down pit road after his window net came down.
Lap six, Michael McDowell has a lead of a second on Tyler Reddick; Chase Elliott, Chris Buescher, and Daniel Suarez round out the top five.
Ryan Blaney reports that his fuel pressure gauge is not working.
Lap seven, Michael McDowell’s lead is down to just over half a second on Tyler Reddick.
Chris Buescher is the first driver to come down pit road and change from the rain tires to slicks.
Lap nine, Michael McDowell has a lead of over half a second on Tyler Reddick; Chase Elliott, Daniel Suarez, and Todd Gilliland round out the top five.
More drivers come down pit road to change from wet weather tires to the dry slicks.
Lap 10, Tyler Reddick has closed the gap on leader Michael McDowell to under half a second.
While some of the drivers are coming down pit road for tire changes, others are holding out to make it to their pit windows to complete the race on two stops.
Lap eleven, Tyler Reddick has caught up to leader Michael McDowell and is beginning to challenge for the lead.
Lap 12, the top five are Michael McDowell, Tyler Reddick, Todd Gilliland, Chase Elliott, and Kyle Larson.
Michael McDowell comes down pit road for a tire change and gives the lead over to Tyler Reddick.
Lap 14, Tyler Reddick comes down pit road for a tire change and gives the lead over to Chase Elliott.
Since making the tire change Chase Briscoe is running the fastest laps on the track and passing cars with ease.
Tyler Reddick misses the bus stop and has to serve a stop and go penalty.
Chase Briscoe passes Chase Elliott to take the lead and is now getting a challenge form Michael McDowell; Chris Buescher, Chase Elliott, and Tyler Reddick round out the top five.
Lap 18, Chase Briscoe leads the race with Michael McDowell on his bumper; Chris Buescher, Tyler Reddick, and Daniel Suarez round ou t the top five. After starting from the back of the field after an engine change, Kyle Busch has moved up to the top 15.
Lap 19, Kyle Busch enters the top 10 – his original starting spot before the engine change.
Chase Briscoe wins stage one for his fourth stage win of the season.
The top 10 at the end of stage one :
Chase Briscoe
Tyler Reddick
Daniel Suarez
Todd Gilliland
Ross Chastain
Joey Logano
Ty Dillon
Michael McDowell
Kyle Busch
Austin Dillon
A few drivers come down pit road for service including leader Chase Briscoe.
Chase Elliott has now earned enough points to secure the regular season championship. The win also gives him 15 bonus playoff points to extend his lead.
In a double file start, Todd Gilliland brings the field down for the green flag start of stage two with Joey Logano alongside on lap 24. Gilliland edges out for the lead going into turn one and holds on to the lead; Joey Logano, Ty Dillon, Michael McDowell, and Kyle Busch round out the top five.
In a three wide battle, Kyle Busch takes third.
Formula One driver Kimi Raikkonen is in the top 10 in ninth place.
There are 35 cars on the lead lap with Kyle Tilley off the track.
Lap 27, Todd Gilliland has a half second lead on Joey Logano with Kyle Busch three tenths of a second behind Logano; Michael McDowell and Ty Dillion round out the top five.
Lap 28, Todd Gilliland and Joey Logano battle for the lead with Joey Logano taking the spot as Todd Gilliland gets slowed on the track with a possible broken axle.
Lap 29, the top five are Joey Logano, Kyle Busch, Michael McDowell, Ty Dillon, and Joey Hand.
Halfway through stage two; Joey Logano has a lead of over half a second on Kyle Busch; Michael McDowell, Ty Dillon, and Joey Hand round out the top five. Since the race start Kyle Busch has moved up 30 spots.
Tyler Reddick and Mike Reckenfeller spin out but the track stays green and the cars get moving again even after being stuck in the grass.
Kyle Tilley is out of the race with Todd Gilliland and Daniil Kvyat off the track.
Lap 35, Joey Logano has a lead of over half a second on Kyle Busch with Michael McDowell over two seconds back in third; Chase Elliott and Ty Dillon round out the top five.
Three laps remain in stage two, Joey Logano leads the race with Kyle Busch in second; Michael McDowell, Chase Elliott, and Ty Dillon round out the top five as some drivers short pit the end of the stage.
Joey Logano wins stage two for his fourth stage win of the season.
The top 10 at the end of stage two:
Joey Logano
Kyle Busch
Michael McDowell
Chase Elliott
Ty Dillon
Joey Hand
Chris Buescher
Kyle Larson
Cole Custer
Christopher Bell
During his pit stop, Corey LaJoie was charged with leaving his pit box with equipment when he drove off with the gas can still attached.
Drivers come down pit road for service. Chase Briscoe comes down pit road for repairs after concern over damage from some on track contact.
Kyle Busch had to make a second trip down pit road to serve a penalty after pitting just one inch over the line.
Michael McDowell brings the field down for the green flag start of stage three with 45 laps remaining in the race. McDowell takes the lead as drivers get four and five wide. McDowell holds off a three wide battle to hold on to the lead.
The first caution flag for an on track incident comes out after Kimi Raikkonen gets into the tire barrier head on and Austin Dillon spins out after some on track contact. Raikkonen is out of his car and walks to the ambulance for the mandatory trip to the infield car center.
The top five are Michael McDowell, Chase Elliott, Joey Hand, Christopher Bell, and Chris Buescher.
Michael McDowell brings the field down for the green flag restart as the drivers get three, four, and five wide across the track in a battle for position. McDowell holds on to the lead with Chase Elliott in second; Christopher Bell, Kyle Larson, and Joey Hand round out the top five.
Kyle Larson passes Christopher Bell for third.
With 34 cars on the lead lap, Cody Ware is the only driver on the track not on the lead lap. Kimi Raikkonen, Todd Gilliland, and Kyle Tilley are out of the race with Daniil Kvyat off of the track.
Lap 49, Chase Elliott passes Michael McDowell for the lead.
Lap 50, Chase Elliott has a lead of a second on Michael McDowell; Kyle Larson, Christopher Bell, and Joey Hand round out the top five.
Lap 52, Chase Elliott has increased his lead on Michael McDowell to over a second; Kyle Larson, Christopher Bell, and Joey Hand round out the top five with AJ Allmendinger just outside the top five in sixth.
Lap 55, Joey Hand is the first driver to come down pit road for his last pit stop of the race.
Chase Elliott has a lead of nearly a second and a half on Michael McDowell; Kyle Larson, Christopher Bell, and AJ Allmendinger round out the top five as more drivers make their green flag pit stops.
To five drivers Michael McDowell and Kyle Larson come down pit road for their green flag pit stops.
Lap 59, Chase Elliott makes his green flag pit stop and gives the lead over to Cole Custer.
The top five drivers; Cole Custer, Austin Cindric, Corey LaJoie, Austin Dillon, and Mike Rockenfeller have yet to make their final pit stops.
Chase Briscoe and Ross Chastain spin out but get moving again and the track stays green with 26 laps remaining in the race.
Cole Custer has a big lead on Corey LaJoie but both drivers; along with Austin Dillon and Mike Rockenfeller have yet to make their final pit stops.
Martin Truex Jr has complained of no grip and poor handling all race.
Lap 65, Cole Custer finally makes his pit stop and gives the lead over to Austin Dillon.
Cody Ware spins out in the Bus stop but get the car moving again and the track stays green.
Mike Rockenfeller makes his pit stop; leaving only Austin Dillon and Corey LaJoie still needing a pit stop.
Twenty to go, Austin Dillon leads the race with Chase Elliott less than half a second back; Kyle Larson, Corey LaJoie, and Michael McDowell round out the top five.
Lap 71, Chase Elliott passes Austin Dillon for the lead with Kyle Larson taking second.
Kyle Busch spins out and slaps the barrier but gets the car righted again; the track stays green.
Sixteen laps to go, Chase Elliott has a one second lead on Kyle Larson; Austin Dillon, Corey LaJoie, and Michael McDowell round out the top five. Corey LaJoie makes his pit stop. AJ Allmendinger is now in fifth place.
Daniil Kvyat has returned to the track 32 laps down.
With 13 laps remaining in the race, Chase Elliott has a two second lead on Kyle Larson; Michael McDowell, AJ Allmendinger, and Tyler Reddick round out the top five.
Joey Hand brings out the caution flag when he gets into the tire barrier after getting loose and spinning out.
A few drivers in the back of the field come down pit road for fresh tires.
Chase Elliott brings the field down for the green flag restart with just nine laps remaining in the race with Kyle Larson alongside. Drivers fans out four wide across the track going into turn one. Chase Elliott takes the lead with Kyle Larson in second; AJ Allmendinger, Joey Logano, and Tyler Reddick round out the top five.
Loris Hezemans gets off the track and is stuck in the gravel bringing out the caution flag.
Chase Elliott brings the field down for the green flag restart with just five laps remaining in the race with Kyle Larson alongside. Kyle Larson gets out in front for the lead with AJ Allmendinger taking second. Chase Elliott has dropped to fifth place.
Four to go, Kyle Larson has a near half second lead on AJ Allmendinger; Joey Logano, Tyler Reddick, and Chase Elliott round out the top five.
One of six drivers running the doubleheader this weekend, Kyle Larson won the Xfinity Series race on Saturday after William Byron and Ty Gibbs spun each other out. Today it is a repeat with Larson in front and AJ Allmendinger trying to run Larson down.
Kyle Larson takes the white flag with AJ Allmendinger nearly a second back.
Making it a weekend sweep, Kyle Larson goes back to back at Watkins Glen to win the race.
The unofficial results of the Go Bowling at the Glen 300:
Kyle Larson
AJ Allmendinger
Joey Logano
Chase Elliott
Daniel Suarez
Michael McDowell
Tyler Reddick
Christopher Bell
Chris Buescher
Erik Jones
Cole Custer
Kevin Harvick
Austin Cindric
Alex Bowman
Ricky Stenhouse Jr
Ty Dillon
Austin Dillon
Justin Haley
Brad Keselowski
Denny Hamlin
Ross Chastain
William Byron
Martin Truex Jr
Ryan Blaney
Chase Briscoe
Ty Gibbs
Corey LaJoie
Harrison Burton
Aric Almirola
Mike Rockenfeller
Joey Hand
Kyle Busch
Loris Hezemans
Cody Ware
Bubba Wallace
Daniil Kvyat
Kimi Raikkonen
Todd Gilliland
Kyle Tilley
HMS Battles to the Checkers at The Glen
