This article is part of our RaceDayScore NASCAR series.
Cheez-It 355 at the Glen
Location: Watkins Glen, N.Y.
Course: Watkins Glen International
Format: 2.45-mile road course
Laps: 90
Race Preview
A shortened week precedes this week's trip to Watkins Glen for the NASCAR Sprint Cup series. Rain in Pocono forced the delay of last week's race for the second time this season. The drivers and teams get a week off after this week's challenge in Watkins Glen, however. The historic circuit is the second road course race of the season, and represents some drivers' best chance to break into the Chase for the Sprint Cup. Just five races remain until the cutoff to secure a spot in the field, which makes this Sunday's race one of the most important for certain teams and drivers as they battle to extend their championship hopes.
Key Stats at Watkins Glen International
• Number of previous races: 33
• Winners from pole: 9
• Winners from top-5 starters: 21
• Winners from top-10 starters: 24
• Winners from 21st or lower starters: 0
• Fastest race: 103.030 mph
Last 10 Watkins Glen Winners
2015 - Joey Logano
2014 - A.J. Allmendinger
2013 - Kyle Busch
2012 - Marcos Ambrose
2011 - Marcos Ambrose
2010 - Juan Pablo Montoya
2009 - Tony stewart
2008 - Kyle Busch
2007 - Tony Stewart
Watkins Glen International is similar to Sonoma Raceway in certain respects, and entirely different in others. Both tracks feature significant elevation changes, but Watkins Glen demands a different style of rhythm from drivers as they work to find the fastest lap time. The New York track's corners allow a more flowing drive as the cars can carry more speed through the apex. That means passes are generally a result of faster corner speed rather than later and harder braking. Both tracks reward positive track position, and the length of the laps enable more options for pit strategy. Coming in and out of pit road won't drop a driver a lap down and could play to someone's advantage to get them out of traffic and allow them to turn faster laps and move forward in the order.
RACE DAY SCORE VALUE PICKS (Based on Standard $60K Salary Cap)
Tier 1 Values
Kevin Harvick - $12,000
Brad Keselowski - $11,600
Joey Logano - $11,600
Kyle Busch - $11,400
Tier 2 Values
Matt Kenseth - $10,900
A.J. Allmendinger - $10,500
Ryan Newman - $10,500
Denny Hamlin - $10,100
Tier 3 Values
Tony Stewart - $9,800
Casey Mears - $9,700
Danica Patrick - $9,600
Long-Shot Values
Regan Smith - $8,500
Chris Buescher - $7,600
Michael Annett - $7,500
MY PICKS THIS WEEK
Lower-Risk Lineup ($60K Salary Cap)
Kyle Busch - $11,400
Kyle Larson - $11,100
A.J. Allmendinger - $10,500
Tony Stewart - $9,800
Danica Patrick - $9,600
Michael Annett - $7,500
Watkins Glen requires a different type of driver than most other tracks, and prices this week fall to the astute player's advantage. Both Stewart and Allmendinger are priced well below their potential at the circuit. Allmendinger is almost certain to be in contention for Sunday's win, and Stewart won in Sonoma and has five Watkins Glen wins. These are two excellent values this week. Kyle Busch is the most expensive option, but he's a great road course racer in his own right. He has won at both Sonoma and Watkins Glen and finished second last season. With just two Watkins Glen starts with which to judge, Larson is off to a good start. He finished fourth here in his rookie season and 12th last year. He also finished 12th in Sonoma earlier this year. To finish the lineup we add Patrick and Annett. Patrick has been making progress recently and should be a confident top-20 car on Sunday. The logic for choosing Annett this week boils down to his poor qualifying on road courses but consistent finishes. He has improved an average of 10 places from each of his two starts at the Glen.
Higher-Risk Lineup ($60K Salary Cap)
Brad Keselowski - $11,600
Matt Kenseth - $10,900
Denny Hamlin - $10,100
Casey Mears - $9,700
Trevor Bayne - $9,600
Chris Buescher - $7,600
The higher-risk lineup option avoids most of the favorites but still finds plenty of value. Keselowski has finished in the runner-up position at the Glen three times and scored four top-10 finishes at the track in the last five visits. He led 27 laps last year, and should be expected to be at the front again this weekend. Kenseth has been getting better finishes at Watkins Glen more recently. Three of his six career top-10s at the circuit have come in the last four races. His teammate Hamlin has endured some bad luck at the track, but did well here earlier in his career and finished second in Sonoma. Mears is usually a threat to score a top-15 finish at the track, while Bayne moved forward 12 spots to finish 22nd in his first start at the track last year. Finally, why not go with Buescher this week? The young driver is the newest Sprint Cup winner and will come into the weekend riding high with confidence. He raced at the track in the Sprint Cup once before and won his first Xfinity series race on the Mid-Ohio road course. Those are two very good reasons to keep him in your fantasy lineups this week at Watkins Glen.
