Watkins Glen is never short on action when NASCAR rolls into town, delivering finishes that stay etched in racing memory. The 2025 weekend promises no shortage of excitement, with Chris Buescher set for his Truck Series debut and fans eager for another unpredictable “Go Bowling at The Glen.” But this time, weather could be the biggest factor—or not. With race week approaching, forecasts show a different kind of storyline unfolding over the historic New York road course.
Key Highlights
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Chris Buescher making his first Truck Series start in Friday’s Mission 176 at Watkins Glen.
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NASCAR weekend forecast shows mostly sunny conditions with minimal rain chances across all three days.
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Cup Series main event set for Sunday, August 10, at 2:00 PM ET on USA Network.
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Fans anticipating a repeat of past Watkins Glen drama from stars like Elliott, Larson, and Ambrose.
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A stacked field with Cup regulars joining the Truck Series race for added intrigue.
A Green Flag Forecast for Watkins Glen
Weather has often thrown a wrench into NASCAR’s plans, especially at road courses, but this year’s Watkins Glen outlook looks favorable. Friday, August 8, will see clear skies for Truck Series practice and qualifying before the Mission 176 race at 5:00 PM ET on FS1. The temperature will reach a high of 85°F, dropping to 63°F at night, with rain chances below 12% and calm south winds. Saturday, August 9, will stay mostly sunny as Xfinity and Cup teams prepare for their races. Morning practice and qualifying sessions lead into the Xfinity Mission 200 at 3:00 PM ET on the CW.
A high of 89°F and dry evening conditions should make for optimal racing. Sunday’s headliner, the “Go Bowling at The Glen,” starts at 2:00 PM ET on USA Network. Forecasts call for partly cloudy skies, 91°F temperatures, and just a 4% rain chance. The race is shaping up for a full green-flag run with no weather delays expected. This is welcome news for drivers and fans after past races at Watkins Glen saw unpredictable showers altering strategies.
Chris Buescher’s Truck Series Debut Adds to the Excitement
Chris Buescher returns to the site of his unforgettable 2024 Cup victory, this time stepping into a NASCAR Truck Series ride for the first time in his career. Driving the No. 66 Ford F-150 for ThorSport Racing, Buescher will compete in Friday’s Mission 176. With 352 Cup Series starts, six wins, and a 2015 Xfinity championship, Buescher brings experience but no prior Truck races to lean on.
His last lower-series appearance was in 2015, pulling double duty at The Glen. Buescher finished third in Xfinity that weekend but struggled in Cup, placing 37th. This return adds intrigue to an already strong field featuring Cup drivers Christopher Bell and Ross Chastain.
Buescher acknowledged the special meaning of this weekend, saying:
“Watkins Glen has been a special place for me, especially after last year’s win, so I’m really looking forward to getting back there. It’s a great place for me to make my first-ever Truck Series start, and I’m thankful for Duke, Rhonda, and Allison Thorson for giving me the opportunity to do so.” – Chris Buescher
Fans will watch closely to see if his Cup experience translates to quick success in Trucks, adding another chapter to his Watkins Glen legacy.
A Track Known for Unforgettable NASCAR Moments
Watkins Glen has seen some of the sport’s most thrilling road course battles. Chris Buescher shocked the field in 2024, pulling a last-lap move on Shane van Gisbergen for a non-playoff win that stunned fans and solidified his place in The Glen’s history. Chase Elliott made headlines in 2018 by scoring his first Cup victory, barely fending off Martin Truex Jr. with low fuel and a helping push from Jimmie Johnson. Elliott doubled down in 2019 with a dominant repeat performance.
Kyle Larson’s 2022 win came in wet conditions, outdueling Elliott on a dramatic late restart for his second consecutive Glen victory. One of the most chaotic finishes came in 2012, when Marcos Ambrose, Brad Keselowski, and Kyle Busch battled on the final lap. Busch spun in oil, Ambrose cut through the grass, and edged Keselowski for an unforgettable win. With a clean weather forecast this year, the stage is set for another high-speed chess match without rain disrupting strategy. But history shows that chaos can unfold at Watkins Glen with or without weather, making every lap unpredictable.
News in Brief: 2025 Watkins Glen Weekend Weather
Watkins Glen’s 2025 NASCAR weekend is set for clear skies, with little chance of rain across all three race days. Chris Buescher headlines Friday’s Truck Series debut in the No. 66 ThorSport Racing Ford, returning to the track where he shocked fans with a Cup win last season. Saturday’s Xfinity race and Sunday’s Cup Series “Go Bowling at The Glen” promise ideal conditions for drama-filled racing. Fans can expect intense battles and big moments on one of NASCAR’s most historic road courses. Follow NASCAR all weekend for full coverage and race updates.
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