Buescher bests Van Gisbergen in exciting Watkins Glen Playoff race: In a largely chaotic race – action-packed literally from the drop of the green flag, it was Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing’s Chris Buescher who prevailed in overtime in Sunday’s Go Bowling at The Glen – passing road course ace, Shane Van Gisbergen in a bumper-to-bumper last lap duel to claim his career first road course victory at the famed Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International. [Read More]

#17-Chris Buescher won the Go Bowling at the Glen NASCAR Cup Series race at Watkins Glen International. The win is his 1st win of the year, 1st at Watkins Glen and 6th career win.
#16-Shane Van Gisbergen finished 2nd followed by #77-Carson Hocevar (career-best finish), pole winner #1-Ross Chastain, #71-Zane Smith, #14-Chase Briscoe, #34-Michael McDowell, #7-Corey LaJoie, #41-Ryan Preece, and #2-Austin Cindric.
The race ended after one overtime attempt.  #17-Buescher was leading with three laps remaining when a accident occurred involving #45-Tyler Reddick, #8-Kyle Busch, and #19-Martin Truex Jr. brought out the caution. Van Gisbergen was able to get the lead on the restart, but Buescher got it back on the final lap.
Stage 1 was won by #19-Truex Jr. Stage 2 was won by #1-Ross Chastain.
There were 11 lead changes among 9 drivers and 7 cautions for 21 yellow flag laps.
The average speed of the race was: 85.226mph.
See race details at: Race Results, Driver Points Standings, Owner Points Standings, Cumulative Report, Penalty Report.

Where the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series Playoff drivers finished:
#14-Chase Briscoe, 6th
#2-Austin Cindric, 10th
#5-Kyle Larson, 12th
#99-Daniel Suarez, 13th
#20-Christopher Bell, 14th
#22-Joey Logano, 15th
#48-Alex Bowman, 18th
#9-Chase Elliott, 19th
#19-Martin Truex, Jr, 20th
#54-Ty Gibbs, 22nd
#11-Denny Hamlin, 23rd
#21-Harrison Burton, 24th
#6-Brad Keselowski, 26th
#45-Tyler Reddick, 27th
#24-William Byron, 34th
#12-Ryan Blaney, 38th

Race Fast Facts – Watkins Glen:
Chris Buescher won the Go Bowling at The Glen, his sixth victory in 321 NASCAR Cup Series races.
This is his first victory and 13th top-10 finish in 2024.
This is his first victory and third top-10 finish in nine races at Watkins Glen International.
Shane Van Gisbergen(i) (second) posted his first top-10 finish in one race at Watkins Glen International. It is his first top-10 finish in 2024.
Carson Hocevar # (third) posted his first top-10 finish in one races at Watkins Glen International.
Carson Hocevar (third) was the highest finishing rookie.
Christopher Bell (P) leads the point standings by 3 points over Austin Cindric (P).
(NASCAR)

Cup Series Playoff Standings after Watkins Glen:
Race 28 of 36 in the season
Race 2 of 10 in the Playoffs
Race 2 of 3 in the Round of 16
1) #22-Joey Logano [2 wins – 1 win in Round of 16], 2084
2) #20-Christopher Bell [3 wins], 2089
3) #2-Austin Cindric [1 win], 2086
4) #48-Alex Bowman [1 win], 2084
5) #99-Daniel Suarez [1 win], 2079
6) #45-Tyler Reddick [2 wins], 2073
7) #9-Chase Elliott [1 win], 2073
8) #12-Ryan Blaney [2 wins], 2072
9) #5-Kyle Larson [4 wins], 2069
10) #24-William Byron [3 wins], 2068
11) #14-Chase Briscoe [1 win], 2049
12) #54-Ty Gibbs, 2049
Below the round of 12 cutoff
13) #11-Denny Hamlin [3 wins], 2043, -6 behind 12th
14) #6-Brad Keselowski [1 win], 2037, -12 behind 12th
15) #19-Martin Truex, Jr., 2035, -14 behind 12th
16) #21-Harrison Burton [1 win], 2029, -20 behind 12th
See the Driver Points Standings and Owner Points Standings.

Race updates:
Checkered flag for #17-Chris Buescher. #16-Shane Van Gisbergen made an error coming into the bus stop and #17-Buescheer was able to get around him for the the lead.
Lap 92 -White flag for #16-Van Gisbergen. He’s followed by #17-Buescher, #77-Hocevar, and #1-Chastain.
Lap 91 – Green flag for the first Overtime attempt.  #16-Van Gisbergen takes the lead on the restart.
Lap 89 – On the restart it will be #17-Buescher, #77-Hocevar, #16-Van Gisbergen, #1-Chastain and #34-McDowell.
Lap 88 – Green flag with three laps remaining. #17-Buescher, #77-Hocevar, #16-Van Gisbergen, #1-Chastain and #14-Briscoe. Caution back out. #45-Reddick and #8-Busch spun in the esses. #19-Truex also with some damage. #17-Buescher still leads.  Will have an overtime finish.
Lap 85 – No cars up front pit under caution.
Lap 84 – Green flag with 7 laps remaining. Caution during the lap for an accident between #24-Byron and #6-Keselowski.  #24-Byron’s cars is sitting up near the window opening of #6-Keselowski’s car. They are able to separate and continue. #77-Hocevar got second position on the restart.  #17-Buescher continues to lead.
Lap 83 – Under caution now: #17-Buescher, #16-Van Gisbergen, #77-Hocevar, #34-McDowell, #1-Chastain, #14-Briscoe, #7-LaJoie, #41-Preece, #19-Truex, and #4-Berry the top 10.
Lap 82 – The top nine drivers stay out. #24-Byron and #9-Elliott are the first to come to pit road and about eight other drivers follow them.
Lap 81- Ten laps remaining. The caution comes out for debris from #21-Burton’s tire.
Lap 77 – #16-Van Gisbergen now second, 4.9 seconds behind #17-Buescher. #21-Burton has a flat tire, but continues.
Lap 76 – Fifteen laps remaining: #17-Buescher, #22-Logano, #16-Van Gisbergen, #6-Keselowski, #77-Hocevar, #1-Chastain, #34-McDowell, #41-Preece, #14-Briscoe, and #7-LaJoie the top 10.
Lap 75 – #17-Buescher now the leader over #22-Logano.  #16-Van Gisbergen now third, 4.9 seconds back.
Lap 74 – #17-Buescher now right behind #22-Logano for the lead. #15-Grala spins but is able to continue.  No caution.
Lap 73 – #22-Logano still the leader but #17-Buescher now second, 2 seconds back.  Then #6-Keselowski, #16-Van Gisbergen and #77-Hocevar.
Lap 72 – #99- Suarez now pits.
Lap 71 – #5-Larson pits from third. #71-Smith comes to pit road as well.
Lap 69 – #7-LaJoie pits and #22-Logano is now the leader.  Then #77-Smith, #5-Larson, #6-Keselowski, #99-Suarez.  They all pitted on lap 48.  Behind them are #17-Buescher, #77-Hocevar, and #16-Van Gisbergen who have enough fuel to make it to the end.
Lap 67 – #7-Lajoie now the leader as #34-McDowell comes to it road.
Lap 64 – #19-Truex and #4-Berry pit from fourth and fifth.
Lap 62 – #20-Bell spins while trying to come to pit road and making contact with #3-Dillon.  No caution and #20-Bell makes it to pit road.
Lap 61 – Thirty last remaining: #34-McDowell, #7-LaJoie, #10-Gragson, #19-Truex and #4-Berry the top 5.
Lap 60 – #34-McDowell takes the lead as #17-Buescher pits.
Lap 59 – #1-Chastain and #16-Van Gisbergen come to pit road.
Lap 58 – #17-Buescher takes the lead from #1-Chastain.
Lap 57 – #17-Buescher, on new tires, has moved to second.
Lap 50 – Green flag with 41 laps remaining.  #1-Chastain and #16-Van Gisbergen continue to lead. #34-McDowell, #7-LaJoie and #14-Briscoe round out the top 5.
Lap 49 – A number of drivers back on pit road for service. Many teams think they are 5 laps short on fuel from here.
Lap 47 – Caution is out for debris from #11-Hamlin.  He has been into the wall into turn 2 and contact with #6-Keselowski. He continues on to pit road for repairs.
Lap 43 – Back to green for the start of the final stage. 48 laps remaining. #1-Chastain, #16-Van Gisbergen, #22-Logano, #14-Briscoe, #34-McDowell, #7-LaJoie, #50-Montoya, #17-Buescher, #77-Hocevar, #42-Nemechek.
Lap 42 – A mix of strategies as pit road opens. Many of the leaders stay out, as well as those that already pitted.
Lap 41 – The end of stage 2 comes while the race is under caution. #1-Chastain wins it. Then #16-Van Gisbergen, #22-Logano, #54-Gibbs, #24-Byron, #21-Burton, #14-Briscoe, #48-Bowman, #41-Preece, and #11-Hamlin.
Lap 39 – Caution is out because of #99-Suarez stuck in the gravel. #1-Chastain and #16-Van Gisbergen are still on track and did not get to pit before the caution. #8-Busch will be the free pass. #5-Larson and #6-Keselowski are penalized for their pit stops. Vehicle interference for #5-Larson and uncontrolled tire for #6-Keselowski.
Lap 38 – Many drivers pitting again prior to the end of the stage.
Lap 31 – #1-Chastain continues to lead, but #16-Van Gisbergen has been closing in and is just .2 second off the lead. #34-McDowell still third. #19-Truex still stuck in 17th. #11-Hamlin still the last car on the lead lap and falling further behind.
Lap 25 – #45-Reddick spun out but continues. No caution.
Lap 25 – Back to green for the start of stage 2. #1-Chastain, #16-Van Gisbergen, #34-McDowell, #22-Logano, #71-Smith, #7-LaJoie, #54-Gibbs, #24-Byron, #17-Buescher, #77-Hocevar the top 10. #19-Truex restarts 18th,  This stage ends after lap 40.
Lap 23 – Drivers that did not pit before the stage end come to pit road. #19-Truex and #48-Bowman are the first off pit road.
Lap 21 – Caution for the end of stage 1. #19-Truex wins it. Then #48-Bowman, #14-Briscoe, #99-Suarez, #2-Cindric, #9-Elliott, #45-Reddick, #5-Larson, #43-Jones, and #31-Hemric. #11-Hamlin is the free pass.
Lap 19 – #1-Chastain pits, giving the lead to #19-Truex.
Lap 18 – Many drivers pit prior to the end of the stage so they can stay out at the break.
Lap 17 – #13-Allmendinger is done for the day.
Lap 15 – Six laps remaining in stage 1. #1-Chastain leads #16-Van Gisbergen by 2.5 second. #11-Hamlin is running 34th, in position for the free pass.
Lap 9 – #13-Allmendinger goes to the garage for repairs.
Lap 8 – #13-Allmendinger says something on the car is broken. He comes to the pits. NASCAR says #11-Hamlin has met minimum speed.
Lap 6 – Back to green.  #1-Chastain, #19-Truex, #16-Van Gisbergen, #48-Bowman, #13-Allmendinger.
Lap 3 – #11-Hamlin is on pit road getting repairs and battling the damage clock.
Lap 2 – #12-Blaney has a broken steering column and cannot continue. He’s done for the day and will finish 38th. #47-Stenhouse is also done.
Lap 1 – Several cars get together coming out of the bus stop. #20-Bell, #8-Busch, #47-Stenhouse, #41-Preece, #12-Blaney, and #11-Hamlin among those with damage.  Caution is out.
3:09pm/et – Green flag. #1-Chastain and #19-Truex on the front row. First stage is 20 laps.
2:55pm/et – Engines are fired.
2:46pm/et – Pre-race ceremonies are underway.
1:35pm/et – Add #38-Todd Gilliland to the rear for unapproved adjustments.
1:30pm/et –  With just over 90 minutes until the green flag, #77-Carson Hocevar is the only driver reported to the rear (unapproved adjustments)
Weather will be great today at the track: Sunny, with a high near 83. Light south wind.

Race Details:
Broadcast: USA, PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio
Distance: 90 laps / 220.5 miles
Stages: 20 / 40 / 90
Average time of race: 2:09:11
Pit road speed: 40 mph
Caution car speed: 45 mph
Fuel window: 36 laps

Timing (all times local & subject to change)
Driver’s Meeting: 1:55 p.m.
Driver Introductions: 2:20 p.m.

Invocation: 2:46:20 p.m.
Canadian Anthem: 2:47:00 p.m.
National Anthem: 2:48:20 p.m.
Command: 2:55:00 p.m.
Green Flag: 3:06:00 p.m

Paint Schemes

Cars to the rear: #38-Gilliland (unapproved adjustments), #77-Hocevar (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 #1-Ross Chastain chose pit stall 1.
Outside pole sitter #19-Martin Truex Jr. took the 38th stall, with an opening in front of it.
See all pit choices on the Watkins Glen Pit Stall page.

#1-Ross Chastain won the Busch pole for the Go Bowling at the Glen NASCAR Cup Series race at Watkins Glen International with a speed of 122.279mph for his 1st pole of the year, 1st at Watkins Glen and 2nd of his career.
#19-Martin Truex Jr will start second followed by #16-Shane Van Gisbergen, #48-Alex Bowman, #2-Austin Cindric, #13-A.J. Allmendinger, #22-Joey Logano, #99-Daniel Suarez, #10-Noah Gragson, and #34-Michael McDowell.
See the complete qualifying results and the Go Bowling at the Glen Starting Lineup.

Where the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series Playoff drivers start:
#19-Martin Truex, Jr, 2nd
#48-Alex Bowman, 4th
#2-Austin Cindric, 5th
#22-Joey Logano, 7th
#99-Daniel Suarez, 8th
#24-William Byron, 11th
#14-Chase Briscoe, 12th
#9-Chase Elliott, 14th
#54-Ty Gibbs, 15th
#45-Tyler Reddick, 16th
#20-Christopher Bell, 17th
#5-Kyle Larson, 20th
#11-Denny Hamlin, 22nd
#6-Brad Keselowski, 28th
#12-Ryan Blaney, 30th
#21-Harrison Burton, 33rd

Watkins Glen International – Qualifying Fast Facts:
Ross Chastain won the Pole Award for the Go Bowling at The Glen with a lap of 72.13 seconds, 122.279 mph.
This is his second pole in 215 NASCAR Cup Series races.
This is his first pole and ninth top-10 start in 2024.
This is his first pole in six races at Watkins Glen International.
Martin Truex Jr. (P) (second) posted his 13th top-10 start of 2024 and his ninth in 18 races at Watkins Glen International.
Shane Van Gisbergen(i) (third) posted his first top-10 start at Watkins Glen International. It is his second in eight races this season.
Zane Smith (19th) 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 over. The results:
#45-Tyler Reddick 122.469
#1-Ross Chastain 122.336
#5-Kyle Larson 122.296
#16-Shane Van Gisbergen  122.267
#11-Denny Hamlin 122.015
Slowest: #77-Carson Hocevar 119.807
Most laps run: #45-Tyler Reddick, 32 laps
Best 10 consecutive lap avg (of 30 drivers): #45-Tyler Reddick, 121.065
Notes: Practice was two 20 minute sessions for each of the two groups. The top  5 speeds were all from Group A.
See the fastest speeds, best 10 consecutive lap average, laps run on the Go Bowling at the Glen Practice speeds page.

NASCAR Cup Series pre-race inspection is complete at Watkins Glen International.

• 30 of 38 cars passed on their first attempt.
• All cars passed on their second attempt.

Crew Rosters

The entry list for the Go Bowling at the Glen NASCAR Cup Series race at Watkins Glen International is posted, 38 teams/drivers [for 40 spots] are listed.
Of note: #13-A.J. Allmendinger, #15-Kaz Grala, #16-Shane Van Gisbergen, #50-Juan Pablo Montoya.
See the full entry list on the Go Bowling at the Glen Entry List page.

Goodyear Fast Facts — Watkins Glen International

Race rules and information:

• Inspection Penalty Protocol
• Pit Road Penalties
• Pit Road Speeds
• Points Explanation
• Qualifying Procedures