As the NASCAR Playoffs approach, Hendrick Motorsports finds itself under immense pressure heading into Watkins Glen. The 2.45-mile track, nestled in New York’s Finger Lakes region, will host a playoff race for the first time, and the competition is aiming to end Hendrick’s six-year dominance at this venue. This stranglehold began in 2018 when Chase Elliott captured his first premier-series victory at The Glen. Since then, Hendrick Motorsports has won all five races held at this track, cementing its legacy as the team to beat.
In total, Hendrick Motorsports has claimed 11 victories at Watkins Glen, making it the most successful team in the track’s history. Jeff Gordon, who now serves as Vice Chairman of the team, holds the record for the most wins at the track among Hendrick drivers, with four victories to his name. This impressive track record has led many to wonder if the team has a unique advantage at the unpredictable road course. Curiously, Chase Elliott, who could win at The Glen for the third time, doesn’t seem overly concerned about extra preparation for the event.
Chase Elliott: Confident Without Sim Practice
Chase Elliott, known for his prowess on road courses, holds the title for the most road course wins among active drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series, with seven victories. Many consider him the best road course driver in recent years, and with back-to-back wins at Watkins Glen, Elliott doesn’t appear fazed by the pressure of another potential victory. In fact, he’s taking a relaxed approach as he prepares for his redemption run at the track.
Having already secured a win in Texas and performed consistently throughout the season, Elliott is geared up for the playoffs. When asked about the importance of simulator work on road courses in a video posted by Hendrick Motorsports’ Instagram account, Elliott gave a confident response. Without hesitation, he firmly answered, “No,” indicating that he doesn’t see sim practice as a necessity for his success.
This level of confidence is reassuring for Elliott’s fans, particularly after last year’s disappointing finish at Watkins Glen, where he ran out of fuel late in the race and missed the playoffs. Now, as he looks to secure a spot in the Round of 12, Elliott may have a few tricks up his sleeve, knowing that he needs a strong performance this time around.
Hendrick Motorsports’ Recent Road Course Dominance
One overlooked aspect of Hendrick Motorsports’ recent success is their dominance on road courses. With wins from William Byron at COTA, Kyle Larson at Sonoma, and Alex Bowman at the Chicago Street Race, the team has claimed victory in all three road course races this season. This achievement makes them the first organization to have three different drivers win on road courses in a single season.
As Elliott heads into Watkins Glen, fans are left wondering if he can make it a perfect four-out-of-four for Hendrick Motorsports on road courses this year. The answer will become clear after the 90 scheduled laps on Sunday.
However, Elliott isn’t the only driver vying for a spot in the Round of 12. Another contender, Denny Hamlin, has his eyes set on Watkins Glen, and he’s taking a different approach to preparation compared to Elliott.
Denny Hamlin’s Strategy to Challenge Hendrick Motorsports
Goodyear is bringing a new tire compound to Watkins Glen for the Go Bowling at The Glen race on Sunday. This tire is expected to create a significant “three-second falloff per lap” around the track’s seven turns. When asked how he plans to tackle the challenge of racing with new tires, Hamlin emphasized the importance of simulator work. He explained, “We’ll definitely spend a lot of time in the sim doing our prep work like normal. It’s also good that we get extra practice time on Saturday to be able to get some laps, then debrief with the team, and then go out and run again.”
Hamlin is optimistic about his chances at Watkins Glen, stating, “I think it’s going to be a challenge. I feel like our team is very strong when it comes to adapting to circumstances like this. I enjoy Watkins Glen. It has typically been our strongest road course over the years, so I am confident about this weekend.”
In 17 starts at the track, Hamlin has only won once, back in 2016, and has an average finish of 15.0. After a frustrating finish at Atlanta, Hamlin will be eager to return to Victory Lane and secure his 235th career NASCAR Cup Series win.
A Critical Weekend for Both Drivers
The next two races will be crucial for both Chase Elliott and Denny Hamlin as they look to lock in their spots in the Round of 12. Failure to perform at Watkins Glen could lead to an early playoff exit, a fate neither driver wants to face.
As fans await the outcome, the question remains: will Chase Elliott or Denny Hamlin come out on top at Watkins Glen this Sunday? The answer will unfold after 90 intense laps at one of NASCAR’s most challenging road courses.
