NASCAR: What to watch for in the 2018 Go Bowling at The Glen

This week, it’s back to road course racing for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series. Here is what t watch for this Sunday.

This weekend, the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series goes to New York for the running of the Go Bowling at The Glen at Watkins Glen International. Watkins Glen International always produces great racing action and sometimes several surprises throughout the 90-lap race. The best thing about Watkins Glen has to be the fact that the track has not seen a repeat winner since 2012.

The Cup Series travels to the Glen after completing the Gander Outdoors 400 this past Sunday at Pocono Raceway. Despite a late caution flag period that caused the race to go into overtime, Kyle Busch was able to secure his sixth victory in 2018.

The biggest incident from Sunday at Pocono had to be the Bubba Wallace crash in turn one. Wallace lost his braking and shot through the turn one grass before hammering the wall. I know myself and many others all had the same thought when we saw the heavily damaged car, which was “please put the window net down.” He eventually got the window net down after what seemed like forever and we could all take a deep sigh of relief.

This weekend’s race is at another track that has produced some of the craziest finishes and wildest wrecks in recent years. Martin Truex Jr. comes into Sunday’s race as the defending race winner. However, Watkins Glen has served as a wild card race that anyone can win. Here is what you to watch for in this weekend’s Go Bowling at The Glen.

What to Watch

A level playing field

The “big three” have taken over the NASCAR Cup Series in 2018 by winning 16 of the 21 races so far. However, Watkins Glen International doesn’t care about that statistic. Be prepared to see some names running toward the front who you don’t normally see.

A.J. Allmendinger shocked the NASCAR world in 2014 by winning at Watkins Glen. The “big three” have all won at Watkins Glen, but don’t count out the underdogs this weekend, especially considering how close we’re getting to the playoffs with several drivers looking at the race at Watkins Glen as their last shot to make it in.

Rain tires?

As a frequent traveler to Watkins Glen International for the past 20 years, I have been through several rain delays at the road course. With the weather changing every day, it looks as though Saturday and/or Sunday might feature some rainy track conditions. Rain tires have never been used at Watkins Glen, but I believe that should change this weekend if the weather is unfavorable.

Packed stands

For the first time since the Daytona 500, you can be prepared to see grandstands that are full of people. Watkins Glen International is on its way to its fourth straight sellout this weekend.

I’m hearing @WGI is inches away from its 4th sellout in a row. Still a few general admission tix available with expanded areas, viewing decks, and the Zippo terrace. It’s all one big party!!! Only 2 weeks away.
— Dale Earnhardt Jr. (@DaleJr) July 22, 2018

Even more impressive than that is the fact several thousand fans aren’t even in the grandstands. The race at Watkins Glen International is a weekend camping experience that every race fan needs to experience. Chances are when you do finally take in all that Watkins Glen has to offer, you’ll be going back annually.

What will you be watching for in this weekend’s Go Bowling at The Glen? Tune into the action on NBC at 2:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, August 5 as the drivers of the NASCAR Cup Series take on the twist and turns of Watkins Glen International.