The Sprint Cup Series heads to Watkins Glen International for the Cheez-It 355 on Sunday, August 7th at 2:30 p.m. ET on USA. Carl Edwards sits out front for the final road course race of the 2016 season. A lot like restrictor plate races, road courses can be anybody’s to win. This track will provide chances drivers such as A.J. Allmendinger. The road course specialist recorded a win here in 2014 and placed himself into the playoffs.
NASCAR’s Sprint Cup Series enthusiasts have been reminded how anyone that starts a 40 car race can become an instant winner. Rookie Chris Buescher comes to the Cheez-It 355 off of a victory at Pocono Raceway. That win was achieved through a combination of an aggressive pit strategy and Mother Nature.
Furthermore, Chris Buescher had never led a lap in Sprint Cup Series before Monday and his top effort was a mere 14th place finish. Buescher’s victory foiled a long list of front-runners by remaining out front at the right time. As a result, the Front Row Motorsports improved it’s chances of making the Chase by seven fold.
For Joe Gibbs Racing’s Kyle Busch, Watkins Glen comes at the right time. The defending Sprint Cup champion has recorded nine top 10 finishes in his last 10 races at the Glen. He finished the race out in second in 2015, and finished a solid seventh at Sonoma in June.
The speed of Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota’s are proving to everyone that they will be top contenders yet again in the Cheez-It 355 at Watkins Glen International. Las Vegas agrees with this and placed Kyle Busch as a 6 to 1 favorite to win the event.
Brad Keselowski and his # 2 Miller Lite Ford’s finishes in 2016 matches his recent showings on this road course. The four-time winner in 2016, has three career runner-up tallies in the Cheez-It 355 at the Glen. Furthermore, the Team Penske stand-out was seventh in last year race at this venue.
After a horrifying crash in testing a few weeks ago, Brad Keselowski looks to rebound this Sunday. The Cheez-It 355 at Watkins Glen International may give him that chance. Odds-makers also have slated him at 8 to 1 to navigate his way to the Winners Circle.
Carl Edwards career average finish here is second only to Kyle Larson but the youngster has made just two starts at The Glen. Edwards will be racing his #19 Toyota Camry, that alone is enough to guarantee he will also be out in front in the Cheez-It 355. Vegas gurus think that analysis is correct and have him pegged at 8 to 1 to win at the Glen.
Stewart/Haas Racing’s Kurt Busch has never been known for his road racing’s triumphs throughout his career. That could change on Sunday in the Cheez-It 355 at Watkins Glen International. Busch has quietly improved here over the years and if he can stay out of on-track antics he could also be a driver to watch out for. Line-setters have the racer of the #41 Chevrolet as a 6 to 1 favorite to speed his way to victory.
Kyle Larson has an average finish of 8.0 at the Glen in his in his two Sprint Cup starts. The Chip Gnassi racer might be one to watch in Sunday’s event. For Larson in particular, this weekend is especially important as the youngster sits right on the Chase bubble.
Furthermore, his teammate Jamie McMurray could also be solid option for the Cheez-It 355. Unfortunately, the #1 team has experienced feast or famine here the last six years. McMurray has tallied four top 20’s but has two results of 39th or worse. Las Vegas has Larson at a 30 to 1 favorite and McMurray at 40 to 1.
Erik the Hun’s Fantasy Picks:
A: Carl Edwards
B: Kyle Larson A.J. Allmendinger Matt Kenseth
C: Boris Said
Odds to Win the Cheez-It 355 at Watkins Glen International:
| Kyle Busch | 6/1 |
| Kurt Busch | 6/1 |
| Kevin Harvick | 6/1 |
| Brad Keselowski | 8/1 |
| Joey Logan | 8/1 |
| Carl Edwards | 8/1 |
| AJ Allmendinger | 8/1 |
| Martin Truex Jr. | 12/1 |
| Jimmie Johnson | 15/1 |
| Tony Stewart | 18/1 |
| Chase Elliott | 25/1 |
| Jeff Gordon | 25/1 |
| Denny Hamlin | 30/1 |
| Matt Kenseth | 30/1 |
| Kyle Larson | 30/1 |
| Ryan Newman | 30/1 |
| Jamie McMurray | 40/1 |
| Greg Biffle | 40/1 |
| Paul Menard | 60/1 |
| Kasey Kahne | 60/1 |
| Clint Bowyer | 60/1 |
| Ryan Blaney | 100/1 |
| Austin Dillon | 100/1 |
| Ricky Stenhouse Jr. | 300/1 |
| Trevor Bayne | 300/1 |
| Danica Patrick | 300/1 |
| Aric Almirola | 500/1 |
| Casey Mears | 500/1 |
| Chris Buescher | 500/1 |
| Field | 30/1 |
