The NASCAR Cup Series qualifying took place at Watkins Glen International in New York, setting the stage for Sunday’s highly anticipated race. Ryan Blaney secured the pole position after delivering the fastest lap time of 1:11.960 on the 2.45-mile road course, establishing him as the frontrunner for the event.
This strong performance at Watkins Glen International has attracted attention from fans and competitors alike, as drivers and teams prepare to tackle the challenging track later this weekend.
Complete Starting Grid for the Upcoming NASCAR Race
The starting lineup features intense competition among top drivers, with Shane van Gisbergen closely behind Blaney, posting a lap time of 1:11.993. Chase Briscoe follows right after with a 1:11.997, proving the tight margins in qualifying at this venue. Notable contenders such as Ross Chastain, Kyle Busch, and Michael McDowell also made the top ten, signaling a competitive race ahead.
Here is the full lineup for the NASCAR Cup Series race at Watkins Glen International on August 10, 2025:
- Ryan Blaney – 1:11.960
- Shane van Gisbergen – 1:11.993
- Chase Briscoe – 1:11.997
- Ross Chastain – 1:12.081
- Kyle Busch – 1:12.144
- Michael McDowell – 1:12.180
- Alex Bowman – 1:12.199
- Carson Hocevar – 1:12.200
- Christopher Bell – 1:12.210
- William Byron – 1:12.215
- Joey Logano – 1:12.235
- Chris Buescher – 1:12.265
- Austin Cindric – 1:12.300
- Ty Gibbs – 1:12.304
- Bubba Wallace – 1:12.412
- Brad Keselowski – 1:12.427
- Ryan Preece – 1:12.443
- AJ Allmendinger – 1:12.451
- Daniel Suarez – 1:12.461
- Chase Elliott – 1:12.465
- Tyler Reddick – 1:12.487
- Denny Hamlin – 1:12.507
- Justin Haley – 1:12.552
- Josh Berry – 1:12.576
- Connor Zilisch – 1:12.603
- Austin Dillon – 1:12.667
- Kyle Larson – 1:12.718
- Todd Gilliland – 1:12.718
- Riley Herbst – 1:12.736
- Erik Jones – 1:12.764
- John Hunter Nemechek – 1:12.838
- Cole Custer – 1:12.923
- Ty Dillon – 1:12.989
- Zane Smith – 1:13.153
- Ricky Stenhouse Jr. – 1:13.170
- Noah Gragson – 1:13.190
- Cody Ware – 1:13.698
- Katherine Legge – 1:14.504
- JJ Yeley – 1:14.955
- Josh Bilicki – 1:15.092
Intense Competition Demonstrated in Practice Times
Alongside the qualifying session, practice runs showed a similarly close contest among drivers. Justin Haley recorded the best practice time at 1:12.674, narrowly edging out Michael McDowell and Chris Buescher who posted times of 1:12.675 and 1:12.678, respectively. This performance hinted at the fierce competition expected in Sunday’s race, with many drivers showing strong pace and readiness on this demanding circuit.
Anticipating the Impact of Watkins Glen Results on the Season
With Ryan Blaney starting at the front, his pole position places him in a commanding spot to capitalize early in the race. The narrow gaps evident throughout qualifying highlight how crucial every corner and decision will be at Watkins Glen International. This race has the potential to influence driver standings significantly, as many contenders look to gain vital points in the NASCAR Cup Series Watkins Glen round.
The event in New York is set to deliver a high-stakes contest among some of stock car racing’s most talented athletes, including Kyle Larson, Daniel Suarez, Joey Logano, and others, all vying for victory on the challenging road course.