Go Bowling at the Glen Predictions NASCAR Cup: Pay Close Attention to Time Trials

• After disaster in Playoff opener, Kyle Larson heads for a favorite track.

• A strong qualifying effort is an absolute essential at Watkins Glen.

• Shane van Gisbergen seeks his second Cup win - at reasonable odds.

Go Bowling at the Glen Betting Odds

Odds taken from BetMGM Sportsbook. Place your bets at BetMGM and use our promo code WSNSPORTS to claim the bonus: Get Up to $1,500 in Bonus Bets*
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Our Picks for the Go Bowling at the Glen

• Shane van Gisbergen to win the race at +800 via BetMGM Sportsbook

• Daniel Suarez to finish in the top three at +525 via BetMGM Sportsbook

• Austin Cindric to beat Ty Gibbs head-to-head at +200 via BetMGM Sportsbook

Go Bowling at the Glen Predictions

Watkins Glen Is an Excellent Track for a Kyle Larson Turnaround

Kyle Larson entered last Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series Playoff opener at Atlanta Motor Speedway as the top seed in the 10-race postseason.

That status didn’t last long. On Lap 56, Larson’s No. 5 Chevrolet broke loose, shot into the outside wall in Turn 2 and sustained terminal damage.

As a result, Larson lost most of his Playoff edge. Now he’s just 15 points above the current cut line for the Round of 12, with two races left in the opening Round of 16.

Fortunately for Larson, the series is headed for a track where both he and Hendrick Motorsports have enjoyed enormous recent success. Larson won at Watkins Glen in 2021 and 2022. Teammate William Byron took the checkered flag last year.

With Chase Elliott prevailing in the 2019 and 2020 races, Hendrick has won the last five Cup events at the high-speed road course.

It’s our view that Larson will be strong again on Sunday. We just don’t think he’ll win the race, and we’re not enamored with his +625 price at BetMGM.

Hence, we’re looking elsewhere for the winner.

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Qualifying Is an Essential First Step to Success at Watkins Glen

Short and sweet - Success in time trials, leading to excellent track position, is vital to success at Watkins Glen International.

In all but two of the last 18 races at the 2.45-mile road course, the race winner has come from a starting position of seventh or better.

With passing exceedingly difficult, and opportunities limited, maintaining track position is critical. Accordingly, you can wait until Saturday’s time trials are over before placing your bets, or—better yet—try to determine beforehand who’s likely to qualify at the front of the field.

The Hendrick winners of the last five races, for example, have started from positions no worse than fourth in that span.

True, there may be more coming and going on Sunday with a softer tire from Goodyear, but qualifying still should be paramount.

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Shane Van Gisbergen Primed for Second NASCAR Cup Victory

Even though New Zealander Shane van Gisbergen is the odds-on choice to win Saturday’s NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Watkins Glen, we didn’t pick him because his +135 odds via BetMGM are far too short in a 38-car field that includes several veteran Cup drivers.

But we have to consider van Gisbergen for Sunday’s Cup race at +800 via BetMGM, even though the driver of the No. 16 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet has never raced at the Glen.

Van Gisbergen has won the last three road course races in the Xfinity Series. He won last year’s Chicago Street Race in his Cup debut.

We also note that high-speed Watkins Glen should suit him, as it did fellow Australian Supercars champion Marcos Ambrose, who won a pole and two Cup races in seven starts at the New York road course.

Ambrose also won four Xfinity races in five starts at the track, and van Gisbergen is cut from the same cloth.

Hence, he’s our pick to win on Sunday at the far more reasonable +800 price via BetMGM.

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How to Watch Go Bowling at the Glen

What: Go Bowling at the Glen NASCAR Cup Series Race

Where: Watkins Glen International

When: Sunday, September 15, 3 p.m. ET