The roar of engines returns to upstate New York this Sunday as the Cup Series takes on the legendary road course at Watkins Glen International for the 2026 Go Bowling at The Glen. With the green flag set to drop at 3 p.m. ET, fans can expect an extra dose of drama this year—the race has been extended from 90 to 100 laps, adding more twists and turns to an already challenging circuit.
All eyes are on defending champion Shane van Gisbergen, who secured the pole position on Saturday and enters as the heavy favorite at +125 odds. Known as a road course specialist, van Gisbergen has an impressive record: all six of his Cup Series victories have come on road or street tracks. But he's not the only threat in the field. Rookie sensation Connor Zilisch sits right behind him at +380, while Tyler Reddick—who already boasts five wins this season—rounds out the top contenders at +900.
History favors Hendrick Motorsports, which has won five of the last seven races at Watkins Glen. Their top drivers, William Byron (+1200) and Kyle Larson (+1900), are strong options for anyone building a betting strategy or DFS lineup this weekend.
For those looking for an edge, professional DFS player Mike McClure—who has over $2 million in career winnings—has turned his attention to this race. His powerful prediction model simulates every lap 10,000 times and has correctly picked 29 winners since 2021, including 11 in 2025 alone. This week, McClure is sharing his best bets exclusively at SportsLine.
One notable pick: McClure is fading Connor Zilisch at +380, predicting the rookie will barely crack the top five despite being one of the favorites. While Zilisch had a record-breaking 2025 season in the Xfinity Series—earning Rookie of the Year and winning the regular season championship—his transition to the Cup Series has been rocky. He currently ranks 33rd out of 35 full-time drivers and has yet to log a single top-10 finish in 14 Cup starts. Even with three Watkins Glen wins across the Xfinity and Menards series, those short odds don't add up for McClure.
Whether you're a seasoned bettor or just looking for some race-day excitement, this weekend's action at The Glen promises plenty of thrills. Check out the latest DraftKings promo code offers to get started, and gear up in your favorite NASCAR apparel to cheer on your driver from the grandstands or your living room.