NASCAR

NASCAR Cup Series Go Bowling At The Glen: Qualifying, Ross Chastain’s Pole Position, Lineup At Watkins Glen International

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By
Jeff Hawkins
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Jeff Hawkins Sports Editor

Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in the industry, in both print and digital media. He joined the Sportscasting team in 2021 following a decade of freelancing. He spent his early career as a reporter for various newspapers in Illinois, New York, Florida, North Carolina, and Michigan, with a particular emphasis as a beat reporter for the Chicago Blackhawks. Jeff earned his bachelor's degree in journalism from Oakland University. Over the course of his career he earned several sports writing awards, including two national awards from the Associated Press Sports Editors for column writing and news reporting. One of the five prized columns included a commentary on NASCAR's increasing corporate influences, particularly in northern racetracks — commentary which you might find Jeff building on as part of the Motorsports writing team at Sportscasting now.  

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Published14 Sep 2024

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denny hamlin spins at watkins glen practice (1)

With a new look, NASCAR Cup Series driver Ross Chastain may not be part of the Round of 16 playoff field, but he still experienced a profound qualifying effort Saturday. 

Chastain, who shaved his facial hair last week, turned a hot lap of 122.279 mph at Watkins Glen International, capturing the pole position for Sunday’s Go Bowling At the Glen, the circuit’s second playoff event.  

Chastain, who claimed his first pole of the season and second of his career, may not be competing for a championship this fall, but he remains focused on remaining competitive.  

“It’s a career moment,” Chastain told NBC Sports. 

Martin Truex Jr., who enters Sunday 19 points below the Round of 12 cutoff line, will start on the outside of the front row after finishing 0.134 seconds behind Chastain. Road course ace Shane van Gisbergen (121.854 mph) placed third and Alex Bowman (121.843) rounded out the second row. 

Kyle Larson To Attempt ‘The Double’ Again In 2025

 Kyle Larson’s first attempt at competing in “The Double,” driving in the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 on the same Sunday, didn’t go as planned. Rain disrupted the start of the Indy 500 and he arrived in North Carolina too late to compete in the shortened NASCAR event. 

Larson announced he’ll again try to become the fifth pilot to accomplish the double play next Memorial Day weekend. 

A first-time IndyCar competitor, Larson drove with the lead pack until a speeding penalty forced him to the back of the field. He placed P18. At Charlotte Motor Speedway, Larson arrived just as the weather turned. The race ended after 249 laps and Larson did not turn a lap 

Hendrick Motorsports owner Rick Hendrick supported the two-tier effort, but the Cup event will be prioritized. 

“We are going to run the 600,” Hendrick said, per Fox Sports. “If that means having to cut the race short in Indy, we will, because my commitment to NASCAR is that we’re in NASCAR, and that’s where we run for the championship.”

Starting Lineup for NASCAR Cup Series’ Go Bowling At The Glen   

Here is a look at the lineup for Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series’ Go Bowling at The Glen at Watkins Glen International:

Starting Position, Driver, Car No., Team

  • 1,  Ross Chastain, 1, Trackhouse Racing 
  • 2, Martin Truex Jr., 19, Joe Gibbs Racing 
  • 3, Shane van Gisbergen, 16, Kaulig Racing  
  • 4, Alex Bowman, 48, Hendrick Motorsports  
  • 5, Austin Cindric, 2, Team Penske  
  • 6, AJ Allmendinger, 13, Kaulig Racing  
  • 7, Joey Logano, 22, Team Penske 
  • 8, Daniel Suarez, 99, Trackhouse Racing  
  • 9, Noah Gragson, 42, Stewart-Haas Racing 
  • 10, Michael McDowell, 34, Front Row Motorsports 
  • 11, William Byron, 24, Hendrick Motorsports  
  • 12, Chase Briscoe, 14, Stewart-Haas Racing  
  • 13, Kyle Busch, 8, Richard Childress Racing  
  • 14, Chase Elliott, 9, Hendrick Motorsports  
  • 15, Ty Gibbs, 54, Joe Gibbs Racing  
  • 16, Tyler Reddick, 45, 23XI Racing  
  • 17, Christopher Bell, 20, Joe Gibbs Racing  
  • 18, Corey LaJoie, 7, Spire Motorsport  
  • 19, Zane Smith, 71, Spire Motorsports  
  • 20, Kyle Larson, 5, Hendrick Motorsports  
  • 21, Ryan Preece, 41, Stewart-Haas Racing  
  • 22, Denny Hamlin, 11, Joe Gibbs Racing  
  • 23, Austin Dillon, 3, Richard Childress Racing 
  • 24, Chris Buescher, 17, RFK Racing 
  • 25, Erik Jones, 43, Legacy Motor Club 
  • 26, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., 47, JTG Daugherty Racing 
  • 27, Daniel Hemric, 31, Kaulig Racing  
  • 28, Brad Keselowski, 6, RFK Racing   
  • 29, Carson Hocevar, 77, Spire Motorsports  
  • 30, Ryan Blaney, 12, Team Penske  
  • 31, Josh Berry, 4, Stewart-Haas Racing   
  • 32, Bubba Wallace, 23, 23XI Racing 
  • 33, Harrison Burton, 21, Wood Brothers Racing 
  • 34, Juan Pablo Montoya, 50, 23XI Racing   
  • 35, John Hunter Nemechek, 42, Legacy Motor Club  
  • 36, Justin Haley, 51, Rick Ware Racing  
  • 37, Todd Gilliland, 38, Front Row Motorsports 
  • 38, Kaz Grala, 15, Rick Ware Racing