NASCAR Watkins Glen Sunday, May 3, 2026

WATKINS GLEN

It was the 4th straight road course win for Shane van Gisbergen last year at Watkins Glen.  SVG’s 11 second margin-of-victory over Christopher Bell turned out to be one with widest of the season.  It was the 3rd top 2 finish for Bell in the first 5 road course races last season.  Chris Buescher’s 3rd-place finish was his 4th straight top 10 at Watkins Glen which included a last lap pass for the win in 2024.

Freak accident:

Connor Zilisch was supposed to compete at Watkins Glen last year in the Cup race, but had to withdraw.  He qualified 25th for the race.  On Saturday, Zilisch suffered a broken collarbone while celebrating his win falling from car in victory lane.

43rd Watkins Glen NASCAR Cup Series race – First race: 1957 (69 Years ago)

27 Different winners in 42 NASCAR Cup Series Watkins Glen races

9 Won multiple Watkins Glen races – Only 3 have won 3 or more

Hendrick Motorsports won 11 Watkins Glen races with 6 different drivers

Watkins Glen winner went on to win championship 9 times

10 Watkins Glen races won from 1st starting position

1 Winner from 1st starting position last 16 Watkins Glen races – Chase Elliott 2019

14 Won first race of season at Watkins Glen

Only win of season for 9 Watkins Glen winners

Steve Park, Marcos Ambrose, AJ Allmendinger & Chase Elliott won first career race at Watkins Glen

3 Watkins Glen races settled by last lap pass (2012, ’15 & ’24)