Eric Uribe
The NASCAR regular season is drawing to a close as all four races remain on deck before the postseason starts. The soonest race on the calendar is a familiar one, the Go Bowling At The Glen road competition. This article has a preview of what’s in store plus our very own NASCAR Watkins Glen Betting Predictions.
Since we’re on the subject, let’s take a quick look at the current Watkins Glen betting odds. Here’s who the online oddsmakers are giving the best chance to take the checkered flag:
| Driver |  |  |
| Chase Elliott | +175 | +175 |
| Kyle Larson | +400 | +400 |
| Martin Truex Jr. | +600 | +700 |
| Kyle Busch | +700 | +700 |
| Denny Hamlin | +1200 | +1200 |
| Joey Logano | +1600 | +1600 |
Watkins Glen International — located in upstate New York — didn’t host a race in 2020 due to the pandemic. But before that, it had been an annual stop in the NASCAR Cup Series since 1986. Welp, things are “back on track now” for the cult favorite course. In fact, we should start there and explain what makes Watkins Glen what it is.
What’s So Special About NASCAR Watkins Glen Anyway?
NASCAR upped the ante with road courses in 2021, putting seven on the racing calendar. But make no mistake about it, Watkins Glen is an “O.G.” in this category (alongside Sonoma). It’s long been the road course tradition of the Cup Series and that remains the case even with newcomers being added the past few seasons.
The track’s seven harsh turns give Watkins Glen its charm, for drivers and bettors alike. The twists and turns by themselves last just under 2.5 miles. Fast corners all but ensure side-by-side racing with ample opportunities for passing and drafting.
Watkins Glen Betting Picks
As always with NASCAR outright winner bets, it’s strongly advised to NOT put all your money on one driver. Rather, you should spread it out to ensure you don’t fall victim to bad luck (e.g. an inopportune crash) or a razor-close finish. At a minimum, you want two bets and it’s hard to go wrong with the following ones:
Chase Elliott
Dare we say Elliot is a must-bet at The Glen? Sure, why not! We mean, you’d have to hate money to not consider wagering alongside Elliott here.
There’s no one currently in the NASCAR circuit who is better versed in road courses than Elliott, who sits fifth place in the Cup Series standings. In fact, Elliott is one of the best road drivers in the sport’s illustrious history.
Elliott’s won seven road races during his career, which puts him third all-time (Jeff Gordon is tops with nine victories followed by Tony Stewart at eight wins). Two of those victories have come at this very course, with wins in back-to-back years in 2018 and 2019.
Do yourself a favor and make Elliott at least one of your bets. Anytime NASCAR treks to a road course, you need to keep him top of mind. He’s proven himself over and over again at these events and that goes a long way when wagering.
Martin Truex Jr.
Let’s be clear, Truex Jr. is in a funk right now. Since winning at Darlington in early May, he’s been a non-factor in most races. In the ten races since then, he’s finished in the top-10 only three times (including five races where he finished 18th or worse).
But if there’s an antidote to Truex problems, it’s a road course inside the friendly confines of The Glen. Like Elliott, he has quite the pedigree at this event. Here’s where he’s placed in the competition in each of the past three races: first, second, and second again. With four road wins during his career, Truex is second behind Elliott among active NASCAR drivers for victories on such courses.
That’s a proven track record in his own right for Truex Jr. and he’s worth a wager at longshot odds like +700. A two-way bet on Elliott and Truex Jr. ensures you’re backing the most accomplished drivers at Watkins Glen in the whole field. That’s not a bad scenario to be in.
How To Watch & Bet NASCAR Watkins Glen 2021
As usual with NASCAR events, Go Bowling At The Glen happens on a Sunday, this one being August 8. The checkered flag goes down at 3 pm EST.
For those that want to watch the road action unfold live, you can tune in to the NBC Sports Network the day of for the full broadcast. NBC will air every remaining NASCAR race (four regular seasons and 10 playoff competitions) the rest of the way out. FOX, who broadcasted early-season races, has no more airings on the schedule for 2021.
As for betting the Watkins Glen, you can do so easily at any one of the online sportsbooks listed underneath. These bookmakers are your go-to sources for betting all things NASCAR. The sites carry a bevy of NASCAR odds and at great betting prices, too!
But even better than that, these same betting sites are currently offering sign-up bonuses that could net you hundreds to thousands of dollars in free play — no strings attached. To redeem the bonus, just hit the green-colored “play now” button in the table below. That’ll jumpstart the bonus process, which no exaggeration, takes minutes to complete. So in theory, you’re minutes away from earning free coins to bet on NASCAR or any other sport of your choosing!
