Watkins Glen International will host the NASCAR Cup Series this weekend for its lone stop of the season, and qualifying will play a pivotal role in setting the stage. The famed road course will see drivers take to the track Saturday afternoon for a single-round session split into two timed groups. With no second chance to improve, each lap will matter. The 2025 Go Bowling at The Glen marks the 24th race of the Cup season, and the qualifying lineup reveals plenty of storylines before Sunday’s main event.
Key Highlights
Watkins Glen hosts the Cup Series for its only 2025 date.
Qualifying set for Saturday at 1:10 p.m. ET on truTV.
One-round format, split into two 20-minute groups.
Metric system determines qualifying order and group placement.
Ross Chastain earned last year’s pole at Watkins Glen.
One Round, No Margin for Error
This year’s qualifying format at Watkins Glen removes the multi-round drama and compresses the action into a single session. The 40-car field is divided into two 20-minute groups, with each driver’s fastest lap setting their starting position for Sunday’s race. Placement in these groups is determined by a metric formula, weighing 70% from the previous race’s owner finish and 30% from current owner points.
That system sets up a mixed slate in each group, blending front-runners with those looking to make a statement on the road course. The unique layout of Watkins Glen means one small error could cost several rows on the grid.
Group A: Larson and Busch Among the Threats
The first group to hit the track carries a blend of seasoned veterans and emerging talents. From the front of the order, J.J. Yeley will roll out first, followed by Connor Zilisch and Katherine Legge. Ty Dillon, Zane Smith, and Cody Ware will also seek clean laps early. Toward the back of the Group A order, proven race winners like Kyle Larson, Ty Gibbs, Kyle Busch, and Chris Buescher will try to navigate traffic and changing track conditions.
Group 1
| Pos. | Car No. | Driver | Metric Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 44 | J.J. Yeley (i) | 42.5 |
| 2 | 87 | Connor Zilisch (i) | 40.4 |
| 3 | 78 | Katherine Legge | 39.8 |
| 4 | 66 | Josh Bilicki (i) | 37.9 |
| 5 | 10 | Ty Dillon | 34.1 |
| 6 | 38 | Zane Smith | 33.3 |
| 7 | 51 | Cody Ware | 33.2 |
| 8 | 34 | Todd Gilliland | 32.8 |
| 9 | 35 | Riley Herbst # | 31.5 |
| 10 | 47 | Ricky Stenhouse Jr. | 30.9 |
| 11 | 4 | Noah Gragson | 30.5 |
| 12 | 88 | Shane van Gisbergen # | 29.2 |
| 13 | 41 | Cole Custer | 28.1 |
| 14 | 99 | Daniel Suárez | 26.8 |
| 15 | 71 | Michael McDowell | 25.8 |
| 16 | 7 | Justin Haley | 24.8 |
| 17 | 5 | Kyle Larson | 20.8 |
| 18 | 54 | Ty Gibbs | 19.8 |
| 19 | 8 | Kyle Busch | 18.8 |
| 20 | 17 | Chris Buescher | 18.7 |
The challenge for these drivers will be balancing aggression with precision, as early rubber buildup could shift grip levels over the session’s span. Group A lineup: J.J. Yeley, Connor Zilisch, Katherine Legge, Josh Bilicki, Ty Dillon, Zane Smith, Cody Ware, Todd Gilliland, Riley Herbst, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Noah Gragson, Shane van Gisbergen, Cole Custer, Daniel Suárez, Michael McDowell, Justin Haley, Kyle Larson, Ty Gibbs, Kyle Busch, Chris Buescher.
Group B: Heavy Hitters Stack the Second Session
Group B features an equally potent roster, with Erik Jones leading off ahead of AJ Allmendinger and Denny Hamlin. The group also includes road course aces like Tyler Reddick and Christopher Bell, as well as last year’s Watkins Glen pole winner Ross Chastain. Toward the end of the running order, Cup champions Joey Logano and Brad Keselowski will join title contenders William Byron, Ryan Blaney, and Chase Briscoe.
Group 2
| Pos. | Car No. | Driver | Metric Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21 | 43 | Erik Jones | 18.4 |
| 22 | 16 | AJ Allmendinger | 18.0 |
| 23 | 11 | Denny Hamlin | 17.7 |
| 24 | 42 | John Hunter Nemechek | 16.5 |
| 25 | 3 | Austin Dillon | 15.4 |
| 26 | 21 | Josh Berry | 15.4 |
| 27 | 45 | Tyler Reddick | 15.1 |
| 28 | 20 | Christopher Bell | 13.4 |
| 29 | 2 | Austin Cindric | 12.9 |
| 30 | 77 | Carson Hocevar | 12.2 |
| 31 | 1 | Ross Chastain | 11.9 |
| 32 | 9 | Chase Elliott | 10.4 |
| 33 | 22 | Joey Logano | 9.9 |
| 34 | 6 | Brad Keselowski | 7.8 |
| 35 | 48 | Alex Bowman | 7.6 |
| 36 | 60 | Ryan Preece | 7.4 |
| 37 | 23 | Bubba Wallace | 7.2 |
| 38 | 12 | Ryan Blaney | 4.9 |
| 39 | 19 | Chase Briscoe | 3.8 |
| 40 | 24 | William Byron | 1.0 |
With such a stacked group, lap traffic could become a factor if strategies overlap. Group B lineup: Erik Jones, AJ Allmendinger, Denny Hamlin, John Hunter Nemechek, Austin Dillon, Josh Berry, Tyler Reddick, Christopher Bell, Austin Cindric, Carson Hocevar, Ross Chastain, Chase Elliott, Joey Logano, Brad Keselowski, Alex Bowman, Ryan Preece, Bubba Wallace, Ryan Blaney, Chase Briscoe, William Byron.
Building Toward Sunday’s Race
Sunday’s main event, set for 2 p.m. ET on USA, HBO Max, MRN, and SiriusXM, will be the Cup Series’ 24th points race of 2025. Watkins Glen has a history of producing unpredictable races, with the combination of long straights, heavy braking zones, and elevation changes inviting both strategy gambles and daring passes. The single annual trip to the Glen means teams bring their best road course packages, knowing there’s no second visit to adjust.
For drivers who excel on these layouts, qualifying well could be the difference between controlling the race from the front or battling through the midfield chaos. As last year’s pole winner, Chastain proved that track position can be critical, but with this year’s condensed format, any number of contenders could emerge from Saturday with the top spot.
News in Brief: 2025 NASCAR Watkins Glen Qualifying Groups
Watkins Glen International will host the NASCAR Cup Series this weekend for its only 2025 race. Saturday’s single-round qualifying session, split into two 20-minute groups, will set the field for Sunday’s 24th race of the season. The order is determined by a metric based on previous race results and current owner points. Group A features Kyle Larson, Kyle Busch, and Ty Gibbs, while Group B includes Denny Hamlin, Ross Chastain, Joey Logano, and William Byron. Tune in to catch every moment of qualifying and race day action this weekend.
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