William Byron Dominates at Watkins Glen: William Byron added to his season highlight reel earning his first career NASCAR Cup Series road course victory with a dominant win in Sunday’s Go Bowling at The Glen at historic Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International. It marks a career best fifth victory of the season – tops in the NASCAR Cup Series and most for him in a single season in a six-year career in NASCAR’s top series. And the 25-year-old Charlotte native had to earn this one – holding off another championship challenger, Denny Hamlin by a healthy 2.632-seconds for the win. Byron led an impressive 66 of the 90 laps – extending his advantage over the field each lap of the final 10 lap-run to the checkered flag.[Read More](8-20-2023)
#24-William Byron won the Go Bowling at the Glen NASCAR Cup Series race at Watkins Glen International. The win is his 5th win of the year, 1st at Watkins Glen and 9th career win.
Pole winner #11-Denny Hamlin finished 2nd followed by #20-Christopher Bell, #16-A.J. Allmendinger, #54-Ty Gibbs, #19-Martin Truex, Jr., #17-Chris Buescher, #45-Tyler Reddick, #12-Ryan Blaney, and #22-Joey Logano.
Byron led 66 of the 90 laps. For the second week in a row, there was only 1 caution in the race. #9-Chase Elliott ran out of fuel and stopped on track causing a caution on lap 57. Elliott finish 32nd.
With only one caution, the race was completed in 1 hour, 58 minutes, 44 seconds.
Stage 1 was won by #34-McDowell. Stage 2 was won by #24-Byron.
There were 6 lead changes among 5 drivers and 1 caution for 4 yellow flag laps.
The average speed of the race was: 111.426mph.
See race details at: Race Results, Driver Points Standings, Owner Points Standings, Cumulative Report, Penalty Report.
Race Fast Facts – Watkins Glen:
William Byron won the Go Bowling at The Glen, his ninth victory in 205 Cup Series races.
This is his fifth victory and 12th top-10 finish in 2023. This is fifth-consecutive Cup Series win for Hendrick Motorsports at Watkins Glen.
This is his first victory and third top-10 finish in five races at Watkins Glen International.
Denny Hamlin (second) posted his ninth top-10 finish in 17 races at Watkins Glen International. It is his 12th top-10 finish in 2023.
Christopher Bell (third) posted his third top-10 finish in three races at Watkins Glen International.
Ty Gibbs (fifth) was the highest finishing rookie.
Brad Keselowski and Kevin Harvick clinched positions in the 2023 Playoffs on points.
(NASCAR)
Cup Series Playoff Standings after Watkins Glen:
Race 25 of 26 in the regular season
1 race left in the regular season
1) #24-William Byron [5 wins], 785
2) #19-Martin Truex, Jr. [3 wins], 861
3) #8-Kyle Busch [3 wins], 688
4) #11-Denny Hamlin [2 wins], 822
5) #5-Kyle Larson [2 wins], 721
6) #17-Chris Buescher [2 wins], 695
7) #20-Christopher Bell [1 win], 752
8) #1-Ross Chastain, [1 win], 695
9) #12-Ryan Blaney, [1 win], 694
10) #45-Tyler Reddick [1 win], 683
11) #22-Joey Logano [1 win], 666
12) #47-Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. [1 win], 566
13) #34-Michael McDowell [1 win], 553
14) #4-Kevin Harvick, 693
15) #6-Brad Keselowski, 697
Drivers above have clinched a playoff spot
16) #23-Bubba Wallace, 590, +32 ahead of 17th
Outside the playoffs:
17) #54-Ty Gibbs, 558, -32 behind 16th
18) #99-Daniel Suarez, 547, -43
See the Driver Points Standings and Owner Points Standings.
Paint Schemes
Cars to the rear: #6-Keselowski (unapproved adjustments), #7-LaJoie (unapproved adjustments), #10-Almriola (unapproved adjustments), #31-Haley (unapproved adjustments), #51-Custer (unapproved adjustments)
Pit Stall Selections: The selections of pit stalls for the Go Bowling at the Glen NASCAR Cup Series race at Watkins Glen International have been made.
Pole winner #11-Denny Hamlin chose pit stall 38, with an opening behind it.
Outside pole sitter #24-William Byron took the 1st pit stall.
See all pit choices on the Watkins Glen Pit Stall page.
#11-Denny Hamlin won the Busch pole for the Go Bowling at the Glen NASCAR Cup Series race at Watkins Glen International with speed of 125.172 mph for his 4th pole of the year, 2nd at Watkins Glen and 40th of his career.
#24-William Bryon will start second followed by #34-Michael McDowell, #54-Ty Gibbs, #5-Kyle Larson, #16-A.J. Allmendinger, #20-Christopher Bell, #45-Tyler Reddick, #8-Kyle Busch, and #7-Corey LaJoie.
See the complete qualifying results and the Go Bowling at the Glen Starting Lineup.
Watkins Glen International – Qualifying Fast Facts:
Denny Hamlin won the Pole Award for the Go Bowling at The Glen with a lap of 70.392 seconds, 125.298 mph.
This is his 40th pole in 639 NASCAR Cup Series races.
This is his fourth pole and 12th top-10 start in 2023.
This is his second pole in 17 races at Watkins Glen International.
William Byron (second) posted his 17th top-10 start of 2023 and his third in five races at Watkins Glen International.
Michael McDowell (third) posted his second top-10 start at Watkins Glen International. It is his fifth in 25 races this season.
Ty Gibbs (fourth) was the fastest qualifying rookie.
(NASCAR)
Qualifying Order
Practice for the Go Bowling at the Glen NASCAR Cup Series race at Watkins Glen International is complete:
#16-A.J. Allmendinger 123.966
#7-Corey LaJoie 123.841
#24-William Byron 123.808
#5-Kyle Larson 123.770
#20-Christopher Bell 123.631
Slowest: #78-Josh Bilicki 121.022
Most laps run: #54-Ty Gibbs, 16 laps.
Best 10 consecutive lap avg (of 6 drivers): #24-William Bryon, 123.192.
Notes: Byron was the only driver from Group A that ended up in the top 5.
See the fastest speeds, best 10 consecutive lap average, laps run, and more on the Go Bowling at the Glen Practice speeds page.
Crew Rosters
The entry list for the Go Bowling at the Glen NASCAR Cup Series race at Watkins Glen International is posted, 36 teams/drivers [for 40 spots] are listed.
Some of the drivers entered include: #15-Andy Lally, #42-Mike Rockenfeller, #51-Cole Custer, #78-Josh Bilicki.
See the full entry list on the Go Bowling at the Glen Entry List page.
TandemDraft Stats – Watkins Glen
Goodyear Fast Facts — Watkins Glen International
Weekend Event Schedule
