2024 NASCAR Go Bowling at The Glen Odds and Predictions

On Sunday, September 15, NASCAR’s Cup Series will be live from Watkins Glen International for the Go Bowling at The Glen event. This will be the 28^th race of the season and the second race of the Playoffs. Following next week’s event, the Playoff field will eliminate four drivers and the 12 remaining teams will continue to compete for the 2024 NASCAR Championship. 

Watkins Glen is a road course, which means we will see road course ringers enter this weekend’s race like AJ Allmendinger, Shane van Gisbergen and former NASCAR driver Juan Pablo Montoya. Yes, you read that last name correct. Montoya is driving in his first Cup Series race in nearly a decade.

Kyle Larson and William Byron enter this Sunday’s race as the odds-on favorites to win. They’re followed by van Gisbergen, Tyler Reddick and Chase Elliott in the Top 5. After how some of these Playoff teams performed last weekend, the pressure is on to bring home a Top 10 finish at Watkins Glen.

With that said, let’s take a look at the latest Go Bowling at The Glen odds and make our NASCAR Cup Series predictions for this weekend’s race at Watkins Glen International (WGI).

Go Bowling at The Glen Race Profile

For a long time, Watkins Glen International was one of two road courses held annually on the Cup Series circuit along with Sonoma. This venue has been a mainstay for the Cup Series since 1986. It’s undergone many different names over its near-40-year existence, including my favorite race name – Cream Dips at The Glen (from 2009 to 2011).

Typically, the race was held in the second week of August. However, for 2024, it was moved to the second race of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs. WGI is an asphalt track with a lap length of 2.454 miles and seven turns.

Sunday’s Go Bowling at The Glen race breaks down as follows:

• Total Miles: 220.86 miles
• Total Laps: 90 laps
• Stage 1: 20 laps
• Stage 2: 20 laps
• Final Stage: 50 laps

The Go Bowling at The Glen is set to begin at 3 pm ET and will air live on USA.

Previous Go Bowling at The Glen Winners

Tony Stewart holds the record for most all-time wins with five. And, he won all five of those races from 2002 to 2009. Prior to his dominance, Jeff Gordon held the record with four wins, which he did from 1997 to 2001.

The following is a list of the most recent winners at Watkins Glen:

• 2023: William Byron
• 2022: Kyle Larson
• 2021: Kyle Larson
• 2020: No Race
• 2019: Chase Elliott
• 2018: Chase Elliott
• 2017: Martin Truex Jr.
• 2016: Denny Hamlin
• 2015: Joey Logano
• 2014: A.J. Allmendinger

Of active drivers, Kyle Busch, Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott have each won this race two times. There are currently eight active drivers with at least one win at Watkins Glen.

NASCAR Go Bowling at The Glen Odds

The following NASCAR Cup Go Bowling at The Glen odds are courtesy of the top sports betting sites:

NASCAR Go Bowling at The Glen Playoff Drivers

The following drivers are in the 16-car Playoff field. Let’s take a look at how these drivers have fared in the postseason so far, and how they will do at Watkins Glen this weekend:

Joey Logano

• Standings: 1
• Playoff Points: 2054
• Race Odds: +4000
• Wins: 2
• Top 5: 5
• Top 10: 9

Like most sports bettors, and NASCAR analysts, I missed the mark on Joey Logano winning the Quaker State 400 last weekend. Logano’s up and down season, along with inconsistent results in Atlanta the last few years, led me to fading him. Do we repeat that feat this weekend?

Unlike last weekend where Logano was a +1000 driver, this weekend at WGI, the #22 car has long odds of +4000. A big part of that is the fact that sportsbooks don’t believe he will win two races in a row.

Another factor is Logano’s recent stretch of results at Watkins Glen. Although he is one of the eight active drivers with a win at this track, Logano has four results of 22^nd or worse in his last six WGI races. However, he was 10^th in this race last year and 3^rd in 2022.

Logano has a shot at cracking the Top 10. But I wouldn’t go much higher than that with the two-time Cup Series champ. There are better road course drivers to wager on for the race win, Top 5, and Top 10 results.

Ryan Blaney

• Standings: 2
• Playoff Points: 2071
• Race Odds: +4000
• Wins: 2
• Top 5: 8
• Top 10: 12

I was really high on Ryan Blaney last week. I had numerous props that included the reigning Cup Series Champ in them. I made the following comments about Blaney:

“I like Blaney as one of the drivers to beat on Sunday. Look for the #12 car to be one of the best in the field and contend for the checkered flag… I think Blaney is a Top 3 driver no matter who he’s paired with. Getting Keselowski in addition to Blaney, is just icing on the cake.”

Blaney finished third and led 33 laps along the way. His performance snapped a small skid over the last month and also put the #12 at the top of the Playoff Standings with 2071 points. Well, that doesn’t include Logano for this round, as he automatically advances with the Atlanta win.

As for Blaney at WGI, he’s scored one Top 5, three Top 10s and a 13.0 average finish in seven starts. He was 9^th at Watkins Glen last year, but 24^th in 2022, and 14^th in 2021.

Like Logano, Blaney has +4000 odds which could place him on the outskirts of being a longshot bet worthy of a flier. For me, I would prefer to avoid Blaney this week. His ceiling is a Top 10 finish as he’s never won at WGI. A fifth-place finish is his best mark.

Christopher Bell         

• Standings: 3
• Playoff Points: 2066
• Race Odds: +1000
• Wins: 3
• Top 5: 10
• Top 10: 16

Christopher Bell enters this weekend sitting third in the Playoff Standings but second in Playoff Points. He did this by finishing 4^th in Atlanta last weekend. That’s his third straight Top 4 finish on the season. I had Bell pegged as a Top 10 ceiling last weekend, so he exceeded my prediction. For a driver with an 18.6 average finish in Atlanta, he exceeded most expectations.

This weekend, Bell is just outside the Top 5 betting favorites, but he’s definitely a driver to consider for at least a Top 10 and Top 5 finish. In three WGI starts, Bell has one Top 5 and three Top 10s with a 6.0 average finish. That’s the best average finish among the field.

Bell is capable of winning on Sunday but I feel more comfortable with the #20 car finishing in the Top 5 than taking the checkered flag as there are other road course drivers that I like more.

Tyler Reddick

• Standings: 4
• Playoff Points: 2059
• Race Odds: +750
• Wins: 2
• Top 5: 11
• Top 10: 19

I pegged Tyler Reddick with a Top 10 result last weekend in Atlanta. He didn’t let me down, as the #45 car finished 6^th in the Quaker State 400.

The field’s most consistent driver now turns his attention toward Watkins Glen where he’s performed well at in his young Cup Series career.

In three races, Reddick has three Top 10s with an 8.3 average finish. That’s the second-best average finish among the field. Like Bell, I think Reddick can be a Top 10 driver with a Top 5 ceiling. However, I don’t believe he will take the checkered flag this weekend and I would be surprised if he finished in the Top 3.

William Byron

• Standings: 5
• Playoff Points: 2059
• Race Odds: +550
• Wins: 3
• Top 5: 8
• Top 10: 14

William Byron enters this weekend’s event sitting 5^th in the Playoff Standings, fourth in Playoff Points. He’s also the co-favorite, along with Kyle Larson, to win this weekend’s race. Furthermore, Byron is the reigning race winner for the Go Bowling at The Glen as he won this event last year.

In five WGI starts, Byron has one win, one Top 5, three Top 10s, and an 11.6 average finish. Last weekend, I had Byron as a Top 10 car with a Top 5 ceiling. He ended up 9^th overall.

This weekend, I have a similar prediction. I think Byron can be a Top 10 car as he has been at this track. However, I put his ceiling at a Top 5 finish and not to win the race. I don’t see the #24 car duplicating his success from last year.

In his other two Top 10 finishes, he didn’t lead any laps. Last year appears to be more of an outlier when it comes to leading the race and winning it.

Alex Bowman

• Standings: 6
• Playoff Points: 2053
• Race Odds: +3500
• Wins: 1
• Top 5: 7
• Top 10: 13

Outside of Logano, Alex Bowman was the most fortunate driver last weekend in Atlanta. Bowman finished 5^th last weekend, which was far better than his 18.4 average finish at that track. I had him pegged to be lucky at a Top 15 result.

This weekend, I feel the same way about Bowman. In seven WGI starts, Bowman has a 21.4 average finish and has never cracked the Top 10. His best result is 14^th, which he’s done on three occasions.

So, let’s go with the same prediction as last weekend: “I would avoid Bowman across the board this weekend. The #48 car would be lucky to crack the Top 15.”

Austin Cindric

• Standings: 7
• Playoff Points: 2053
• Race Odds: +3500
• Wins: 1
• Top 5: 2
• Top 10: 4

Austin Cindric moved up from 10^th to 7^th in the Playoff standings. The #2 car was an Atlanta sleeper for me as I made the following prediction: “Don’t be surprised if Cindric finishes as a Top 5 driver on Sunday. He should snag at least a Top 10 result.”

Cindric didn’t let me down as he finished 10^th and led 92 laps.

For Watkins Glen, Cindric has a 14.5 average finish in two starts. His best result is 13^th and he was 16^th last year in this race. I like for Cindric to be a Top 15 driver this Sunday with a Top 10 ceiling.

Chase Elliott

• Standings: 8
• Playoff Points: 2050
• Race Odds: +800
• Wins: 1
• Top 5: 7
• Top 10: 13

I don’t know what it is, but whenever I think of Watkins Glen, I think of Chase Elliott. He’s arguably the best road course driver in the field. Additionally, he’s a two-time winner of this race.

In seven WGI starts, Elliott has two wins, four Top 5s, and four Top 10s with a 9.4 average finish that’s fourth best among the field. Elliott had some issues in last year’s race, which led to a 32^nd place finish.

I fully expect Elliott to rebound at WGI this weekend and contend for the checkered flag. Despite Elliott falling short of my race winning predictions last weekend, I believe he will be one of the best drivers this Sunday and maybe even the car to beat.

Daniel Suarez

• Standings: 9
• Playoff Points: 2006
• Race Odds: +2500
• Wins: 1
• Top 5: 3
• Top 10: 7

Daniel Suarez was another sleeper that hit for me last weekend in Atlanta. The spring winner at that venue finished 2^nd last weekend. I had Suarez as a Top 5 driver for the Quaker State 400: “With some decent results over the last six weeks, and scoring a 4.0 average finish in the last two Quaker State 400 races, I believe Suarez can be a Top 10 driver this weekend with a Top 5 ceiling.”

That’s exactly what the #99 car did as he moved his way up into the Top 10, then the Top 5. He had a shot at winning the race but fell behind Logano after the late-race crash.

This weekend, I think Suarez can surprise the field once again. He has three Top 5s and three Top 10s in six WGI starts. Suarez also has a respectable 13.7 average finish. I like for the #99 car to be a Top 10 driver but I don’t see him finishing in the Top 5 like he did in 2022.

Kyle Larson

• Standings: 10
• Playoff Points: 2041
• Race Odds: +550
• Wins: 4
• Top 5: 10
• Top 10: 13

Like his teammate Chase Elliott, I think Kyle Larson is one of the drivers to beat this weekend. I have him as a contender for the checkered flag largely due to recent success at this track.

Last year, Larson was 26^th which snapped a four-race streak of 8^th or better. It also snapped two consecutive victories (2021, 2022) at this track.

Last weekend, I said to avoid Larson because Atlanta was one of the worst tracks in his career. He ended up crashing out of the race and finishing 37^th. However, this weekend, I’m really high on Larson and think he’s one of the top drivers to win this race.

Denny Hamlin

• Standings: 11
• Playoff Points: 2028
• Race Odds: +2200
• Wins: 3
• Top 5: 9
• Top 10: 12

Larson was the biggest drop in the Playoff Standings going from 1^st to 10^th. Denny Hamlin also fell from 6^th to 11^th, which is one of the biggest as well. I flat out stated to avoid betting on Hamlin to win the race and that he had a Top 10 ceiling. The #11 car finished 26^th and fell five spots in the standings.

I am much higher on Hamlin this weekend than I was for last weekend in Atlanta. In 17 WGI starts, Hamlin has one win, six Top 5s, nine Top 10s, and a 15.0 average finish. Many of his poor results, including 3 DNFs, came in the early part of his career at this track.

Over his last seven starts at Watkins Glen, Hamlin has one win, five Top 5s, five Top 10s and one finish outside of the Top 25. He won this race in 2016, has three Top 5s in his last four WGI starts, and was 2^nd in this race last year.

I believe Hamlin will be a Top 10 driver with a Top 5 ceiling. It will take some luck for the #11 car end up in the winner’s circle.

Ty Gibbs

• Standings: 12
• Playoff Points: 2027
• Race Odds: +1100
• Wins: 0
• Top 5: 7
• Top 10: 11

Ty Gibbs moved from 15^th in the standings to 12^th, which would put him on the right side of the cutoff line for moving on to the second round of the Playoffs. He finished 17^th in Atlanta last weekend, which was slightly below my prediction of cracking the Top 10.

This weekend, Gibbs has solid +1100 odds to win this race. However, I don’t see that happening. In his two starts, Gibbs has a 26^th and a 5^th at WGI. He was 5^th last year, but didn’t lead any laps.

Although Gibbs is a decent road course driver, I feel he’s more of a Top 15 driver with a Top 10 ceiling this weekend. I don’t see another Top 5 finish as the pressure will be on him and the rest of the Playoff field.

Brad Keselowski

• Standings: 13
• Playoff Points: 2026
• Race Odds: +10000
• Wins: 1
• Top 5: 8
• Top 10: 12

Like with Hamlin, Brad Keselowski fell five spots in the standings. However, he was the driver that let me down the most in Atlanta last weekend. I had Keselowski as a Top 3 driver, but he finished 19^th and was never a factor in the race like I thought he would be.

This weekend, oddsmakers have Keselowski as one of the biggest longshots, which is a surprise considering he has four Top 5s, six Top 10s, and a 13.9 average finish at WGI. And, that’s without any DNFs.

With that said, Keselowski only has one Top 10 in his last six WGI races and that was a 9^th in 2019. He was 15^th in this race last year.

With his longshot odds, Keselowski has a line of +500 to finish in the Top 10. This is worth a flier in my opinion has he is nearly 50/50 on finishing in the Top 10 at this track.

Harrison Burton         

• Standings: 14^th
• Playoff Points: 2011
• Race Odds: +40000
• Wins: 1
• Top 5: 1
• Top 10: 2

Harrison Burton remains 14^th in the standings after finishing 31^st last weekend in Atlanta. He was involved in the late-race wreck. He was a driver to avoid last weekend, and he’s a Playoff driver to avoid this weekend. In fact, he has the highest odds out of any Playoff driver at +40000.

Burton has two WGI appearances with a 30.5 average finish. He was 28^th in 2022, and 33^rd last year. I would stay far away from the #21 car this weekend as he’s not as competitive on road courses as he is on super speedways.

Martin Truex Jr.         

• Standings: 15
• Playoff Points: 2008
• Race Odds: +1600
• Wins: 0
• Top 5: 4
• Top 10: 9

Last Sunday, Martin Truex Jr. had car problems and finished 35^th after issues with his suspension. I thought he might get lucky and crack the Top 10 last weekend, but stated that he should be avoided when it comes to any NASCAR bets. Hopefully, you listened and faded the #19 car in Atlanta.

As for this Sunday, Truex is a driver to consider for a variety of wagers.

It’s now or never for Truex. He has to contend for the checkered flag or he will most likely be eliminated from the Playoffs after the third race in the Round of 16.

Fortunately, WGI is a track where Truex has raced well at. He has one win, seven Top 5s, 11 Top 10s and a 10.6 average finish in 17 starts.

More recently, Truex has one win (2017), four Top 5s, and six Top 10s in his last seven starts at this track. Truex should be a Top 10 car with a solid shot at the Top 5. I would put his ceiling at Top 3, but wouldn’t be surprised if he wins considering Truex has been one of the best road course drivers over his Cup Series career.

Chase Briscoe

• Standings: 16
• Playoff Points: 2006
• Race Odds: +7500
• Wins: 1
• Top 5: 3
• Top 10: 7

After crashing early in the Atlanta race, Chase Briscoe finished 38^th and now sits 16^th in the standings. Unfortunately, WGI is not a track where Briscoe can rebound to make a move in the standings by earning more Playoff Points.

In three WGI starts, Briscoe has one Top 10 and two finishes of 25^th or worse. His 23.0 average finish is one of the worst among Playoff drivers. Other than Burton, Briscoe has the lowest average finish.

I would avoid Briscoe this weekend. His ceiling is a Top 15 finish, but that would require a great deal of luck for him and misfortune for other drivers.

Go Bowling at The Glen Best of the Rest

The following drivers are not qualified for the 2024 Cup Series Playoffs, but they still offer value at Watkins Glen:

Shane van Gisbergen +650

• Wins: 0
• Top 5: 0
• Top 10: 0

Shane van Gisbergen has just seven Cup Series appearances this season, and he hasn’t finished higher than 20^th. With that said, van Gisbergen has had a lot of success in the Xfinity Series this year, along with being a strong road course driver. All three of his Xfinity wins this year have come on road courses.

At +650 odds, those are too small for my liking considering he hasn’t done well at all in the Cup Series. His Top 5 and Top 10 odds don’t offer any betting value, which means he’s a driver we should fade. I don’t see van Gisbergen winning this race and I would avoid wagering on any of his prop bets.

Kyle Busch +1600

• Wins: 0
• Top 5: 5
• Top 10: 10

Last weekend, Kyle Busch finished 7^th. I predicted him to be a Top 10 car with a Top 3 ceiling. He also led 24 laps, which put him right near his ceiling, but the #8 car faded in the final laps.

This weekend, Busch has been one of the best drivers at WGI over his career. He’s tied for the most wins (2), tied for the most Top 5s (7), and has the most Top 10s (13). He also has the most starts with 18, but the 6^th best average finish at 10.7.

Busch hasn’t won this race since 2013. However, since then, he’s tallied five Top 10s, and seven Top 15s in nine races.

I think Busch can be a Top 10 car this weekend, but I’m not confident in his ability to crack the Top 5 or contend for the checkered flag.

A.J. Allmendinger +1200

• Wins: 0
• Top 5: 0
• Top 10: 3

Like van Gisbergen, AJ Allmedinger is a road course ringer. However, unlike van Gisbergen, Allmendinger has had some success this season in his limited Cup Series races and he’s actually won at Watkins Glen before.

On the year, Allmendinger has three Top 10s in his 11 Cup Series appearances. At Watkins Glen, Allmendinger has one win, five Top 5s, eight Top 10s, and an 8.8 average finish in 12 starts. His average finish is the third best among the field.

Allmendinger has four Top 9 finishes in his last five WGI starts. Over that span, he has a 6.8 average finish with three Top 5s and a runner up in 2022. AJ finished 4^th in last year’s race.

Allmendinger should be a Top 10 car with a Top 5 ceiling. With a little luck, he might just contend for the checkered flag.

The Best Top 5 Bet for the Go Bowling at The Glen

There’s something about Watkins Glen and Chase Elliott (+150) that has me confident in the #9 car finishing strong this weekend. Prior to his poor showing last year, he had four consecutive Top 4 finishes and won in 2018 and 2019.

His four Top 5s in seven starts is a 57.1% Top 5 finishing rate. Prior to having car issues in last year’s race, Elliott averaged a 5.6 finish in his previous six WGI starts. He needs a strong showing this weekend to cement himself in the next round.

The Best Top 10 Bet for the Go Bowling at The Glen

Martin Truex Jr. (+100) is one of the most desperate drivers in the Playoff field. He’s on the verge of being eliminated and needs to score at least a Top 10 finish to have any hope of advancing.

I believe Truex will get that Top 10 result and probably higher. Yet, for this prop bet, he’s one of my favorites to score a Top 10 and offers better value than anyone else above him in the Playoff Standings.

Truex has 11 Top 10s in his 17 WGI starts. He has six Top 7s in the last seven WGI races. Over that span, he has a 6.4 average finish along with his 64.7% Top 10 finishing rate.

NASCAR Go Bowling at The Glen Predictions: Who Takes The Checkered Flag?

Time to go road racing where we turn left and right. And this weekend, the pressure is on the entire Playoff field, which makes for a very exciting race.

My Top 5 Go Bowling at The Glen drivers are: Larson, Bell, Reddick, Elliott, and Truex or Allmendinger. Of these five, I think the race will come down to Allmendinger and the Hendrick Motorsports teammates of Elliott and Larson.

With that said, I’m leaning towards Larson. Another bad performance and he will fall below the cutoff line. This means that everything he did during the regular season would be for nothing.

Watkins Glen is a track that Larson has performed well at in the past. Last week, we predicted Larson to have a bad race, which he did. This week, we’re picking the #5 car to head to victory lane.

Bet: Kyle Larson (+550)

NASCAR Go Bowling at The Glen Prop Bets

The following NASCAR Go Bowling at The Glen prop bets are courtesy of Bet365:

Either To Finish Top 3: Elliott or Truex Jr. (+130)

As mentioned above, I believe Elliott can finish in the Top 3 and challenge for the race win. I wouldn’t be surprised if he did win. But, adding him in this prop bet with Truex, who is also a strong driver at WGI, is a great opportunity to put our money on two of the best Watkins Glen drivers in the field.

Last weekend, we picked Blaney and Keselowski for this prop bet. Blaney finished third and we scored the win. This weekend, Elliott and Truex have us feeling confident.

Bet: Elliott or Truex Jr. (+130)

Winning Manufacturer

• Chevrolet (-150)
• Toyota (+225)
• Ford (+475)

Chevy is the large betting favorite and for good reason. The top three odds-on favorites are all Chevy: Larson, Byron and van Gisbergen. However, Elliott, Busch and Allmendinger are all Chevy drivers as well.

I wouldn’t be mad at ya if you put a flier on a Toyota with Bell, Truex, Hamlin, Reddick and Gibbs. For me, I’m taking Chevy.

Bet: Chevrolet (-150)

Quaker State 400 Group Winner

• Kyle Busch (+180)
• Juan Pablo Montoya (+275)
• Daniel Suarez (+300)
• Chris Buescher (+300)

This is an interesting group matching. You have one Playoff driver (Suarez), a driver fresh out of NASCAR retirement (Montoya), and two drivers not in the postseason (Buescher and Busch). However, both Busch and Montoya have won at Watkins Glen in their careers.

Busch also leads the field in Top 5s and Top 10s, along with being tied for the most wins. Montoya hasn’t raced in NASCAR for a decade. Suarez is worthy of a flier considering his 13.7 average finish and three Top 5s. Buescher has an 18.0 average finish and should be avoided along with Montoya.

This group wager comes down to whether or not you want a safer bet in Busch or a higher payout in Suarez. I’m taking Busch.

Bet: Kyle Busch (+180)

Team of Race Winner

• Hendrick Motorsports (+150)
• Joe Gibbs Racing (+325)
• Kaulig Racing (+425)
• 23XI Racing (+550)
• Front Row Motorsports (+1200)
• Team Penske (+1400)
• Trackhouse Racing (+1600)
• Richard Childress Racing (+1600)
• RFK Racing (+2500)
• Stewart-Haas Racing (+5000)

Hendrick Motorsports has won this race 11 times. Joe Gibbs Racing has seven victories. No other race team has more than three wins.

For me, I like the +150 value with Hendrick Motorsports considering we’re getting three of the Top 5 odds-on favorites in Larson, Byron and Elliott. We could take a flier on JGR with Bell, Truex, and Hamlin. That could also be an option to hedge our bets.

With that said, there’s something about Elliott and Larson that have me riding high with Hendrick on Sunday in Western New York.

Bet: Hendrick Motorsports (+150)