Overview

All three major series’ in NASCAR head to Watkins Glen International this weekend in Watkins Glen, New York. “The Glen” is an 11-turn, 3.40 mile road course made of asphalt and concrete. Road courses are their own animal as it may be easier to identify track similarities simply by looking at other road courses and the histories that drivers have at them. However, each road course has its own identity making it a true test of maneuvering a car from any direction. With such few laps in this Xfinity race (82) there won’t be an emphasis on dominator points. Instead we’ll be looking for drivers that can drive through the field and score place differential points while also finding some drivers that we can expect to finish near the front. As is generally the case with road courses, this should be a fun and exciting watch with plenty of chaos sure to ensue.

Most comparable tracks: Any road course

*Note: all pricing is DraftKings focused

Dominators

These are the drivers that we can typically expect to, you guessed it, dominate the race. When we think dominator we are looking for guys that will be in a position to lead a hefty amount of laps as well as be able to turn over fastest laps.

Austin Cindric ($10,100)

As mentioned above, dominator points can be tough to pinpoint in these races in which there are so few to grab. However, Cindric who is one of the best road course racers in any of the three series is the defending race winner here and has four road course victories at the Xfinity level with 11 top fives in 17 road course starts. Cindric has led over 26 percent of his laps runs on road courses at this level and starting second on Saturday should give him an opportunity to run up front early and unless he gets into trouble Cindric will be expected to have a shot to win at the end.

A.J. Allmendinger ($10,600)

Perhaps Cindric’s biggest competition on Saturday, Allmendinger has five road course wins in 15 Xfinity starts and also has a Cup Series victory at the Glen under his belt so he’s no stranger to the grind that these tracks bring. Dinger has a road course win (Mid-Ohio) this season and an additional fourth place road course finish (Road America) this season. Starting sixth there are a few place differential points available while also being close enough upfront to get to the lead and lead some laps.

Place Differential Targets

The drivers that are starting farther back in the field than where they could be expected to finish. A lot of times due to a variety of qualifying situations some top drivers could start farther back in the field and make their way up through the field in a short period of time.

Ty Gibbs ($10,800)

The young phenom has been sensational on road courses with a win and a third-place finish already this season. At Road America, he was running great before his transmission failed him. Starting at 15th, Gibbs has place differential available while also having a good chance to compete for the win at Watkins Glen.

Brandon Jones ($9,300)

With an average finish of 15.5 on road courses at the Xfinity level, there are points to be had for Jones who starts back at 21st. Jones has three top 5’s and seven top 10’s in 18 career road course races including an average finish of 12.8 at Watkins Glen. The issue with Jones is always staying out of trouble. If he can do that I have no doubt’s that he can finish in the top 12 or so.

Preston Pardus ($7,400)

Pardus has run 10 Xfinity races in his career and all 10 have been on a road course. With an average finish of 22.3 and a starting position of 35th, there is someplace differential available. With his floor pretty safe, the road course ringer Pardus does have two top 10 finishes under his belt on the road courses so there is some upside here.

Stephen Leicht ($6,300)

Usually a start and park candidate, Leicht is almost always in a car that runs a full race when on a road course and he generally holds his own. He’ll be starting 40th on Saturday at The Glen and is coming off a 20th place finish the last time the series was there. In 19 road course races he has an average finish right around 25th, 15 spots better than his starting position on Saturday. He’s a great value PD option.

Austin Dillon ($9,900)

With some Cup regulars running this race, Dillon included, he’ll have to start near the back of the field, in his case 33rd. Even though his road course racing has been lacking over his career, you have to believe that he’ll be able to pay off his salary with some solid place differential and the ability to finish in the top 10.

Erik Jones ($10,600)

Jones’ road course racing is not stellar at any level over his career but the fact is that he is a Cup driver in this field starting back at 36th. It’s reasonable to expect Jones to be able to drive through most of the traffic in front of him en route to racking up plenty of PD points. The only cause for concern is the salary he brings with him. I’d prefer Dillon starting three spots ahead but I wouldn’t argue with you over Jones.