NASCAR drivers discuss the career and legacy of Martin Truex Jr.
Martin Truex Jr. recently announced he will retire from NASCAR at the end of the season, so we asked the drivers at USA TODAY 301 about his legacy.
After an eventful opening race of the 2024 NASCAR playoffs, in which Joey Logano prevailed in the overtime shootout, the Cup Series switches from the mass race in Atlanta to the road race at Watkins Glen.
Team Penske had a very strong playoff start with Logano’s race win and stage wins by Ryan Blaney and Austin Cindric at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Blaney finished third and Cindric finished 10th.th in Atlanta.
However, Watkins Glen could present a prime opportunity for the playoff drivers of NASCAR’s other two biggest teams – Hendrick Motorsports and Joe Gibbs Racing – to make a statement. Hendrick drivers have won the last five races (2018-2023) at The Glen, and JGR drivers won the previous two (2016-17). Chase Elliott, the 2020 Cup Series champion, won back-to-back in 2018 and 2019, while Kyle Larson, the 2021, 2021 and 2022 champion, has two consecutive victories at The Glen. William Byron, Denny Hamlin and Martin Truex Jr. have also recently claimed victories at the New York road course.
So who will win on Sunday? Here’s all the information you need to get ready for Go Bowling at The Glen:
When does the NASCAR playoff race start at Watkins Glen?
Go Bowling at The Glen begins at 3:00 p.m. ET Sunday at Watkins Glen International in Watkins Glen, New York.
Which TV channel will broadcast the NASCAR playoff race at Watkins Glen?
USA Network will broadcast “Go Bowling at The Glen” and offer a pre-race show starting at 2:30 p.m. ET.
Will there be a live stream of the NASCAR playoff race at Watkins Glen?
The Go Bowling at The Glen can be streamed live on the NBC Sports website and NBC Sports app. The race can also be streamed on Fubo.
How many laps are in the NASCAR playoff race at Watkins Glen?
Go Bowling at The Glen consists of 90 laps of the 2.45 mile road course, for a total distance of 220.5 miles. The race consists of three legs (laps per leg) – Leg 1: 20 laps; Leg 2: 20 laps; Leg 3: 50 laps.
Who won the last NASCAR Cup race at Watkins Glen?
William Byron started second and led 66 of 90 laps, including the final 33, before edging Denny Hamlin by 2.632 seconds on August 20, 2023.
What does the driver standings look like before the NASCAR playoff race at Watkins Glen?
X-secured a spot in the second round. The final four drivers after the third playoff race next weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway will be eliminated.
- Ryan Blaney, Team Penske…2,071
- Christopher Bell, Joe Gibbs Racing…2,066
- Tyler Reddick, 23XI Racing…2,059
- William Bryon, Hendrick Motorsports…2,059
- X-Joey Logano, Team Penske…2,054
- Alex Bowman, Hendrick Motorsports…2,053
- Austin Cindric, Team Penske…2,053
- Chase Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports…2,050
- Daniel Suarez, Trackhouse Racing… 2,048
- Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports…2,041
- Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing…2,028
- Ty Gibbs, Joe Gibbs Racing…2,027
- Brad Keselowski, RFK Racing…2,026
- Harrison Burton, Wood Brothers Racing…2,011
- Martin Truex Jr., Joe Gibbs Racing…2,008
- Chase Briscoe, Stewart-Haas Racing…2,006
What is the lineup for Go Bowling at The Glen in Watkins Glen?
Car number in brackets; (P)=Playoff driver
1. (1) Ross Chastain, Chevrolet
2. (19) Martin Truex Jr. (P), Toyota
3. (16) Shane Van Gisbergen, Chevrolet
4. (48) Alex Bowman (P), Chevrolet
5. (2) Austin Cindric (P), Ford
6. (13) AJ Allmendinger, Chevrolet
7. (22) Joey Logano (P), Ford
8. (99) Daniel Suarez (P), Chevrolet
9. (10) Noah Gragson, Ford
10. (34) Michael McDowell, Ford
11. (24) William Byron (P), Chevrolet
12. (14) Chase Briscoe (P), Ford
13. (8) Kyle Busch, Chevrolet
14. (9) Chase Elliott (P), Chevrolet
15. (54) Ty Gibbs (P), Toyota
16. (45) Tyler Reddick (P), Toyota
17. (20) Christopher Bell (P), Toyota
18. (7) Corey LaJoie, Chevrolet
19. (71) Zane Smith, Chevrolet
20. (5) Kyle Larson (P), Chevrolet
21. (41) Ryan Preece, Ford
22. (11) Denny Hamlin (P), Toyota
23. (3) Austin Dillon, Chevrolet
24. (17) Chris Buescher, Ford
25. (43) Erik Jones, Toyota
26. (47) Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Chevrolet
27. (31) Daniel Hemric, Chevrolet
28. (6) Brad Keselowski (P), Ford
29. (77) Carson Hocevar, Chevrolet
30. (12) Ryan Blaney (P), Ford
31. (4) Josh Berry, Ford
32. (23) Bubba Wallace, Toyota
33. (21) Harrison Burton (P), Ford
34. (50) Juan Pablo Montoya, Toyota
35. (42) John Hunter Nemechek, Toyota
36. (51) Justin Haley, Ford
37. (38) Todd Gilliland, Ford
38. (15) Kaz Grala, Ford
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