This past weekend at Watkins Glen saw all three national NASCAR series in action, delivering plenty of drama despite an unsurprising set of winners. The event kicked off with a triple-overtime race, a 45-minute red flag delay in the Xfinity series, and of course, the eagerly anticipated Cup race.
Among the standout winners was Shane Van Gisbergen (SVG), who extended his record as the only driver this year to secure victories by over 10 seconds—achieving this feat twice and winning four consecutive road or street course races. His dominant performance boosts his morale and strengthens his playoff position, while Trackhouse Racing also celebrated as Daniel Suarez reached his best finish since March, with all three of their drivers finishing in the top 10.
Conversely, Chase Elliott saw his streak of top-20 finishes come to an end, posting a disappointing 26th place at Watkins Glen, a particularly tough day given his previous successes on this track. Meanwhile, William Byron took advantage of Elliott’s and other competitors’ struggles to cement his lead in the regular-season standings, now holding a 42-point edge.
A major low for the weekend was the crash involving rising star Connor Zilisch, who suffered a broken collarbone after a fall in Victory Lane following his sixth Xfinity win of the year. This incident was a sobering moment for fans and the driver alike, who now must focus on recovering while maintaining his championship chase.
Chris Buescher also had a strong outing, winning a stage and finishing third to climb 34 points above the playoff cut-off, overtaking Alex Bowman in the process—an important step as the season progresses towards the unpredictable Daytona race. On the downside, Austin Hill’s return from suspension was marked by aggressive moves that led to a massive wreck and a lengthy red flag, reaffirming his controversial reputation.
Corey Heim continued to impress by capturing his sixth win of the year despite strong competition from Cup stars in the trucks, reinforcing his position as the favorite to win the championship. However, NASCAR Race Control’s handling of caution flags throughout the weekend drew criticism for being too slow, potentially compromising safety and affecting race outcomes.
Fan Take: This weekend’s action at Watkins Glen is a vivid reminder of how unpredictable and thrilling NASCAR road races can be, blending dominance, heartbreak, and controversy. For fans, it signals that the playoffs will be fiercely competitive and full of high-stakes moments, which is exactly the excitement the sport needs to continue growing.
