NASCAR's 2026 Go Bowling at The Glen: Predictions and Top Bets for Watkins Glen
The 2026 Go Bowling at The Glen marks the second road course event of the NASCAR Cup Series season, scheduled for Sunday at 3 p.m. ET at Watkins Glen International. This year's race features an increase in distance, extending from 90 to 100 laps. Defending champion Shane van Gisbergen starts strong, claiming the pole position and entering the race as the favorite with odds at +125. Remarkably, all six of his Cup Series victories have come on road or street tracks. Rookie Connor Zilisch follows closely with odds of +380, while Tyler Reddick stands at +900, having secured five wins this season. Hendrick Motorsports showcases dominance at Watkins Glen, winning five of the last seven races. Key drivers to consider for betting include William Byron at +1200 and Kyle Larson at +1900. Before placing any bets, it's crucial to consult the insights from Mike McClure, a renowned DFS expert who employs a sophisticated model that simulates each NASCAR lap 10,000 times. McClure's model has successfully predicted 29 winners since 2021, including 11 in 2025. For this race, McClure advises against betting on Connor Zilisch despite his rookie acclaim, citing his struggles in the Cup Series, where he ranks 33rd out of 35 full-time drivers. Conversely, Ryan Blaney at +2200 is expected to perform well, boasting a solid track record at Watkins Glen with two top 10 finishes in the last three races. McClure also identifies two longshot candidates at odds of at least +2200 who could surprise the field. To discover the full breakdown of predictions and potential bets for the 2026 Go Bowling at The Glen, visit SportsLine for comprehensive insights and analysis.
Source: CBS Sports - 2026-05-10