Watkins Glen International is set to host another packed NASCAR Cup Series event this Sunday, as the Go Bowling at The Glen prepares for a full 40-car field. The entry list features established names, championship contenders, and a few intriguing part-time entries. With just 13 races left in the 2025 season, every start matters for teams clawing for points, playoff berths, and momentum on the road course. The spotlight will be on newcomers Connor Zilisch and Katherine Legge as they aim to make their mark.
Key Highlights
NASCAR has released a 40-car preliminary entry list for the 24th race of the season at Watkins Glen International.
Rising Xfinity star Connor Zilisch makes his fourth Cup start with Trackhouse Racing in the No. 87 Red Bull Chevrolet.
Katherine Legge returns in the No. 78 Live Fast Motorsports entry, chasing another top-20 finish after recent strong showings.
JJ Yeley and Josh Bilicki round out the part-time additions for this weekend’s race.
Watkins Glen marks the fifth full 40-car Cup field of the 2025 season.
Connor Zilisch Brings Xfinity Momentum to Cup Start
Connor Zilisch has been a revelation in the 2025 NASCAR Xfinity Series, stacking up five wins and earning attention from fans and team owners alike. This weekend, he steps into the No. 87 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet for his fourth Cup start of the year. Sponsored by Red Bull, Zilisch hopes to translate his road course experience and Xfinity success into a strong Cup performance. The 19-year-old has shown speed in previous starts but is still searching for his first top-15 finish in the series. Watkins Glen presents an ideal opportunity for the young talent to showcase his adaptability against NASCAR’s elite.
Katherine Legge Looks to Build on Indianapolis Momentum
Katherine Legge continues her steady growth in NASCAR’s top division, returning this week in the No. 78 Live Fast Motorsports Chevrolet. Sponsored by Desnuda Tequila, Legge has earned two top-20 finishes in her last three starts, including a season-best 17th place at Indianapolis.
The veteran open-wheel and sports car racer is determined to make each start count as she builds experience on stock car ovals and road courses alike. Watkins Glen’s technical layout could play to her strengths, and another strong finish would bolster her reputation as a capable part-time contender in Cup competition.
Full Field of 40 Cars Set for Watkins Glen
Sunday’s race marks the fifth time in 2025 that the NASCAR Cup Series has reached its maximum 40-car starting field. Alongside Zilisch and Legge, part-timers JJ Yeley and Josh Bilicki will join the grid. Yeley will drive the No. 44 NY Racing Chevrolet with support from Syracuse University football, while Bilicki pilots the No. 66 Garage 66 Ford sponsored by Southern Tier Security.
| No | Car | Driver |
| 1 | 1 | Ross Chastain |
| 2 | 2 | Austin Cindric |
| 3 | 3 | Austin Dillon |
| 4 | 4 | Noah Gragson |
| 5 | 5 | Kyle Larson |
| 6 | 6 | Brad Keselowski |
| 7 | 7 | Justin Haley |
| 8 | 8 | Kyle Busch |
| 9 | 9 | Chase Elliott |
| 10 | 10 | Ty Dillon |
| 11 | 11 | Denny Hamlin |
| 12 | 12 | Ryan Blaney |
| 13 | 16 | AJ Allmendinger |
| 14 | 17 | Chris Buescher |
| 15 | 19 | Chase Briscoe |
| 16 | 20 | Christopher Bell |
| 17 | 21 | Josh Berry |
| 18 | 22 | Joey Logano |
| 19 | 23 | Bubba Wallace |
| 20 | 24 | William Byron |
| 21 | 34 | Todd Gilliland |
| 22 | 35 | Riley Herbst |
| 23 | 38 | Zane Smith |
| 24 | 41 | Cole Custer |
| 25 | 42 | John Hunter Nemechek |
| 26 | 43 | Erik Jones |
| 27 | 44 | JJ Yeley |
| 28 | 45 | Tyler Reddick |
| 29 | 47 | Ricky Stenhouse Jr. |
| 30 | 48 | Alex Bowman |
| 31 | 51 | Cody Ware |
| 32 | 54 | Ty Gibbs |
| 33 | 60 | Ryan Preece |
| 34 | 66 | Josh Bilicki |
| 35 | 71 | Michael McDowell |
| 36 | 77 | Carson Hocevar |
| 37 | 78 | Katherine Legge |
| 38 | 87 | Connor Zilisch |
| 39 | 88 | Shane van Gisbergen |
| 40 | 99 | Daniel Suarez |
These entries add variety to a lineup dominated by full-time stars like Kyle Larson, William Byron, Ryan Blaney, Denny Hamlin, and Chase Elliott—all seeking valuable playoff points on one of the series’ most challenging road courses. Fans can expect a competitive mix of strategies, from established contenders to hungry underdogs aiming to upset the order.
News in Brief: 2025 Go Bowling at The Glen Entry List
NASCAR has unveiled the 40-car entry list for Sunday’s Go Bowling at The Glen, featuring returning part-time drivers Connor Zilisch, Katherine Legge, JJ Yeley, and Josh Bilicki. Zilisch enters with five Xfinity Series wins this season and hopes to make an impression in his fourth Cup start. Legge brings momentum from recent top-20 runs, while Yeley and Bilicki round out the field. This will be the fifth full 40-car Cup grid of 2025. Tune in Sunday for another action-packed Watkins Glen showdown featuring NASCAR’s best and brightest.
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