NASCAR at Watkins Glen 2023: Start time, TV, streaming, lineup for Go Bowling at The Glen
The NASCAR Cup Series has reached its penultimate regular-season race, and the intensity has reached a fever pitch with only two races remaining before the 10-race playoffs begin Sept. 3.
With 13 of the 16 playoff berths now locked up, following Michael McDowell's win at Indianapolis last weekend, the race offers the opportunity for a winless driver to clinch one of the three remaining berths, or for a handful of drivers to maximize their points to secure a playoff spot without a win.
Sunday's race at Watkins Glen International marks the second consecutive road-course event and could play to the strengths of quite a few drivers who are currently outside the 16-driver cut line. Daniel Suárez, who sits 17th in the standings, finished third at Indianapolis a week ago and won the road-course race at Sonoma last year. AJ Allmendinger, ranked 21st in the standings, won at Watkins Glen in 2014 and was the runner-up in 2022.
PLAYOFF PICTURE: Who's in, who's on the bubble and who faces a must-win scenario
But the driver to watch will surely be Chase Elliott, who sits 19th in the standings. The 2020 Cup Series champion finished second at Indianapolis, won back-to-back races at The Glen in 2018 and '19 and finished second and fourth there, respectively, in 2021 and '22.
Will NASCAR's most popular driver make another run to the checkered flag at the upstate New York track? Here is everything you need to know to get ready for Sunday's Go Bowling at The Glen:
What time does the Cup race at Watkins Glen start?
The Go Bowling at The Glen starts at 3 p.m. ET at Watkins Glen International in Watkins Glen, New York.
What TV channel is the Cup race at Watkins Glen on?
USA Network is broadcasting the Go Bowling at The Glen and has a pre-race show at 2:30 p.m. ET, while USA and Peacock will have a post-race show at 5:30 p.m. ET.
Will there be a live stream of the Cup race at Watkins Glen?
The Go Bowling at The Glen can be live streamed on the NBC Sports website and the NBC Sports app.
SCHEDULE: How to watch NASCAR Cup Series races in 2023
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How many laps is the Cup race at Watkins Glen?
The Go Bowling at The Glen is 90 laps around the 2.45-mile road course for a total of 220.5miles. The race will feature three segments (laps per stage) – Stage 1: 20 laps; Stage 2: 20 laps; Stage 3: 50 laps.
Playoff picture
Winless drivers Kevin Harvick (6th in the standings) and Brad Keselowski (8th in the standings) – both former Cup Series champions – could clinch playoff berths on Sunday even without a win because of their commanding points lead over the 16th-ranked driver:
If either Harvick or Keselowski wins at Watkins Glen, both drivers would clinch.
If a driver already in the playoffs or a 2023 part-time driver not eligible for the playoffs wins on Sunday, both Harvick and Keselowski would clinch.
Who won the most recent race at Watkins Glen?
Kyle Larson led the final five laps, taking the lead from his Hendrick Motorsports teammate Chase Ellliott on Lap 86, before edging AJ Allmendinger by 0.882 seconds on Aug. 21, 2022.
What is the lineup for the Go Bowling at The Glen?
(Car number in parentheses)
1. (11) Denny Hamlin, Toyota
2. (24) William Byron, Chevrolet
3. (34) Michael McDowell, Ford
4. (54) Ty Gibbs, Toyota
5. (5) Kyle Larson, Chevrolet
6. (16) AJ Allmendinger, Chevrolet
7. (20) Christopher Bell, Toyota
8. (45) Tyler Reddick, Toyota
9. (8) Kyle Busch, Chevrolet
10. (7) Corey LaJoie, Chevrolet
11. (22) Joey Logano, Ford
12. (23) Bubba Wallace, Toyota
13. (17) Chris Buescher, Ford
14. (99) Daniel Suarez, Chevrolet
15. (9) Chase Elliott, Chevrolet
16. (3) Austin Dillon, Chevrolet
17. (2) Austin Cindric, Ford
18. (48) Alex Bowman, Chevrolet
19. (19) Martin Truex Jr., Toyota
20. (31) Justin Haley, Chevrolet
21. (42) Mike Rockenfeller, Chevrolet
22. (1) Ross Chastain, Chevrolet
23. (12) Ryan Blaney, Ford
24. (6) Brad Keselowski, Ford
25. (38) Todd Gilliland, Ford
26. (14) Chase Briscoe, Ford
27. (10) Aric Almirola, Ford
28. (47) Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Chevrolet
29. (15) Andy Lally, Ford
30. (41) Ryan Preece, Ford
31. (43) Erik Jones, Chevrolet
32. (21) Harrison Burton, Ford
33. (4) Kevin Harvick, Ford
34. (51) Cole Custer, Ford
35. (78) Josh Bilicki, Chevrolet
36. (77) Ty Dillon, Chevrolet
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NASCAR race today: Watkins Glen start time, TV, live stream, lineup