The Cup Series returns to Watkins Glen International for the final road course race of the regular season.
This event marks one of three remaining races before the playoffs begin. Three spots remain available in the 16-driver playoff field.
Cup Series teams have competed at the New York road course 41 times. Buck Baker won the inaugural race in 1957. Chris Buescher won last season's race after a late battle with Shane van Gisbergen.
Cup Series at Watkins Glen International race information
Weather: The WeatherUnderground forecast calls for mostly sunny skies throughout the day. A high of 87 degrees and no chance of rain at the start of the Cup Series race.
Green flag time: The grand marshal will give the command to fire engines at 1:54 p.m. ET. The starter will wave the green flag at 2:05 p.m. ET.
Starting lineup: Ryan Blaney won the pole, full lineup here
Pre-race: The garage opens at 11 a.m. ET. Driver introductions will take place at 1:20 p.m. ET. Pre-race coverage begins with "Countdown to Green" on USA Network at 1:30 p.m. ET. Race coverage continues on USA Network at 2 p.m. ET.
The invocation will be at 1:45 p.m. ET. The Canadian national anthem performance will take place at 1:46 p.m. ET. The national anthem performance will take place at 1:47 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: The Cup Series drivers have completed 23 races. Thirteen drivers have secured their spots in the playoffs by winning at least one race.
William Byron leads the Cup Series standings after scoring his second win of the season last weekend at Iowa Speedway. He leads teammate Chase Elliott by 18 points.
The rest of the top five in the Cup Series standings includes three-time winner Kyle Larson, four-time winner Denny Hamlin, and three-time winner Christopher Bell. Shane van Gisbergen, who sits 25th in points, is the only other driver with three wins.
The rest of the race winners this season include Ryan Blaney, Chase Briscoe, Bubba Wallace, Joey Logano, Ross Chastain, Austin Cindric and Josh Berry.
Tyler Reddick has a 122-point advantage over the cutline. Alex Bowman sits 63 points above the cutline. Chris Buescher is the final driver in the playoff on points. He is 23 points ahead of teammate Ryan Preece.
Past winners: Several drivers have celebrated wins at Watkins Glen International. This group includes Buescher (2024), Byron (2023), Larson (2021-22), Elliott (2018-19), Hamlin (2016), Logano (2015), AJ Allmendinger (2014), and Kyle Busch (2008, 2013).