Watkins Glen, N.Y. – 08/20/2023
The NASCAR Cup Series moved to Watkins Glen International where the Race Teams contested the (11 turn / 3. 450 mile) Road Course in the 39th running of the Annual Go Bowling at The Glen.
Go Bowling at The Glen – Recap:
Stage 1
Denny Hamlin checked off his 40th Cup pole award and brought the field to green as his competitors lurked in the background. Hamlin’s position was quickly contested as Michael McDowell, William Byron, and Tye Gibbs advanced closer to the leader. McDowell muscled to the front at the expense of Hamlin by Lap 4.
Michael McDowell is able to keep everyone in his rear-view mirror, sailing to a Stage 1 win at Watkins Glen.
Go Bowling at The Glen – Results:
Stage 1
1. Michael McDowell
2. William Byron
3. Denny Hamlin
4. Ty Gibbs
5. AJ Allmendinger
6. Kyle Larson
7. Christopher Bell
8. Bubba Wallace
9. Kyle Busch
10. Tyler Reddick
Go Bowling at The Glen – Recap:
Stage 2
William Byron’s race team opted to take a different pit service sequence when the leaders attended Stage 2 pit service. Hendrick Motorsports No. 24’s “strategy call” separated Byron from the pack, cycling him to the front in less than 3 laps around the Glen.
William Byron wins Stage 2 impressively at Watkins Glen.
Go Bowling at The Glen – Results:
Stage 2
1. William Byron
2. Denny Hamlin
3. Ty Gibbs
4. Kyle Larson
5. AJ Allmendinger
6. Christopher Bell
7. Chase Elliott
8. Kyle Busch
9. Bubba Wallace
10. Austin Dillon
Go Bowling at The Glen – Recap:
Final Stage
William Byron carries his lead and momentum into the final Stage, pulling away and leading Denny Hamlin by a remarkable 4 second differential. The 4 second cushion proved invaluable due to an upcoming green flag pit service for Byron.
Miscalculating his fuel remaining, Chase Elliott’s chances of qualifying for the playoff darkened as his engine stalled and the possibility of a positive finish slipped away with 35 laps remaining. As expected, Elliott’s Caution flag invited many of the leaders to pit service.
William Byron and Denny Hamlin continued to battle for the lead with William Byron able to recapture the post as Denny falters. William Byron hit all his marks in the final laps. Byron pulls away from the field by 3 seconds, Denny Hamlin follows in Byron’s tire tracks.
William Byron maintained his lead and dominated the Final Stage at the Glen.
Watkins Glen International
Race Results:
August 20, 2023
NASCAR Cup Series
Pos | Driver
1. William Byron
2. Denny Hamlin
3. Christopher Bell
4. AJ Allmendinger
5. Ty Gibbs
6. Martin Truex Jr
7. Chris Buescher
8. Tyler Reddick
9. Ryan Blaney
10. Joey Logano
11. Todd Gilliland
12. Bubba Wallace
13. Ricky Stenhouse Jr
14. Kyle Busch
15. Brad Keselowski
16. Austin Cindric
17. Ryan Preece
18. Ross Chastain
19. Mike Rockenfeller
20. Corey LaJoie
21. Kevin Harvick
22. Daniel Suarez
23. Alex Bowman
24. Justin Haley
25. Andy Lally
26. Kyle Larson
27. Josh Bilicki
28. Cole Custer
29. Erik Jones
30. Aric Almirola
31. Austin Dillon
32. Chase Elliott
33. Harrison Burton
34. Ty Dillon
35. Chase Briscoe
26. Michael McDowell
2023 NASCAR Cup Series / Point Standings
Pos | Driver Wins / Points Playoff Points
(After Go Bowling at The Glen 8/20/2023)
1. William Byron | 5 Wins | 28PP
2. Martin Truex Jr | 3 Wins | 20PP
3. Kyle Busch | 3 Wins | 17PP
4. Denny Hamlin | 2 Wins | 15PP
5. Kyle Larson | 2 Wins | 13PP
6. Chris Buescher | 2 Wins | 11PP
7. Ross Chastain | 1 Win | 10PP
8. Tyler Reddick | 1 Win | 9PP
9. Ryan Blaney | 1 Win | 8PP
10. Joey Logano | 1 Win | 8PP
11. Christopher Bell | 1 Win | 7PP
12. Michael McDowell | 1 Win | 7PP
13. Ricky Stenhouse Jr | 1 Win | 5PP
14. Brad Keselowski | Locked In | 3PP
15. Kevin Harvick | Locked In | 1PP
16. Bubba Wallace | +32
— Playoff Cutline —
17. Ty Gibbs | -32
18. Daniel Suarez | 43
19. AJ Allmendinger | -72
20. Alex Bowman | -96
Up next the NASCAR Cup Series will direct their attention to the 63rd running of the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway,
Saturday, August 26, 2023
7 p.m. ET.
NBC Sirius/XM NASSAR Channel 90.
This scheduled event will be the final race for Race Teams to extend their chances and qualify for the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs Championship.