Photo credit: Nigel Kinrade Photography

How to watch Cup race at Watkins Glen: Start time, TV info


The Cup Series playoffs continue with a Sunday afternoon race at Watkins Glen International.

Joey Logano is the only driver with a secure spot in the Round of 12 after he won last weekend's opener at Atlanta Motor Speedway. The rest of the drivers have two more opportunities to make it through the Round of 16.

Sunday's race marks the 41st time Cup teams have competed at Watkins Glen, dating back to Buck Baker's win in 1957. William Byron is the defending winner on the road course.

Watkins Glen International race information

Weather: The WeatherUnderground forecast calls for favorable racing conditions. There will be mostly sunny skies, a high of 82 degrees, and a 1% chance of rain at the start of the Cup Series race.

Green flag time: The command to fire engines will be at 2:55 p.m. ET. The green flag will wave at 3:06 p.m. ET.

Starting lineup: Ross Chastain won the pole. Full starting lineup.

Pre-race: Driver introductions will take place at 2:20 p.m. ET. Pre-race coverage begins with "Countdown to Green" on USA Network at 2:30 p.m. ET. Race coverage continues on USA Network at 3 p.m. ET.

Stages: The race will consist of three stages. The first stage ends at Lap 20. The second stage ends at Lap 40. The scheduled end of the race is Lap 90.

Playoff picture: Logano has a secure spot in the Round of 12. Ryan Blaney leads the rest of the playoff drivers with a 45-point cushion between him and the cutline. Christopher Bell is just behind him at +40.

The rest of the drivers above the cutline are Tyler Reddick (+33), Byron (+33), Alex Bowman (+27), Austin Cindric (+27), Chase Elliott (+24), Daniel Suarez (+22), Kyle Larson (+15), Denny Hamlin (+2), and Ty Gibbs (+1).

The four drivers currently below the Round of 12 cutline are Brad Keselowski (-1), Harrison Burton (-16), Martin Truex Jr. (-19), and Chase Briscoe (-21).

Past winners: Several Cup Series drivers have previous wins at Watkins Glen International. This includes Larson (two wins), Elliott (two wins), Byron (one win), Juan Pablo Montoya (one win), AJ Allmendinger (one win), Kyle Busch (two wins), Truex (one win), Logano (one win), and Hamlin (one win).