After a wild ride through the heart of Texas, our teams are heading East with a change in scenery and strategy. The transition from the high-stakes oval of Fort Worth to the legendary curves of upstate New York means drivers have to flip the script entirely to survive the “Glen Grit.”

Three-Wide & Fast: Did Texas Just Produce the Best Race of 2026?

Leesl: Andy, I’m putting it out there—Texas might have just set the bar for the entire season. A sold-out crowd for the 30th anniversary, tire strategy that actually kept us guessing, and a three-wide intensity that didn’t quit.

Andy: I can’t argue with you that the “Great American Speedway” definitely delivered. That duel between Chase and Denny at the end was pure magic! Chase played that final restart perfectly, but man, Denny was right there breathing down his neck. And ultimately my driver took the hat and his 23rd career win!

Leesl: So, Andy, I guess a congratulations is in order for having Chase on your roster. I’m sure picking the winner—and the sport’s most popular driver—will be the absolute highlight of your 2026. No, seriously. Put it on the fridge.

Andy: I sense a little saltiness there! Honestly, I’d be deflecting too if I watched my lead drop by 28 points in a single afternoon. If you’re looking a little nervous, it might be because that cushion isn’t looking quite as “Texas-sized” as it used to.

Leesl: I’m not nervous, I’m just mourning my roster! It’s hard to protect a lead when Denny is playing second fiddle and Joey’s car is getting the sardine can treatment on pit road. Let’s just see if your luck holds when we hit the “Bus Stop” at the Glen.

Bowlers, Start Your Engines! 🎳 Sunday Showdown at Watkins Glen!

Leesl: We’re trading the cowboy hats for bowling shoes as we head to upstate New York. Watkins Glen is a completely different animal—instead of 24-degree banking, we’re looking at right turns, heavy braking, and the infamous “Bus Stop” chicane that looks like it belongs in a parking lot, not a racetrack.

Andy: You’re just glad to get away from pit road! But you’re right, the Glen is all about rhythm. In Texas, you’re floorboarding it and hoping the tires hold; here, if you miss your mark by six inches in “The Esses,” you’re headed for the blue guardrails. It’s technical, it’s fast, and with the way the points are shifting, there’s no room for gutter balls.

Leesl: And let’s not forget the “carousel”—it’s like a long, sweeping turn that just never ends. It’s where you see the real road-course masters shine. After the chaos in Texas, I’m looking for a little “Glen Grit” to help me reclaim those 28 points you stole from me!

What exactly makes the Glen so gritty? For those who aren’t used to road courses, it helps to know the lingo. The “Blue Rails” are the track’s iconic guardrails that sit just inches from the asphalt, leaving zero room for error. Drivers have to navigate the “Esses,” a series of high-speed uphill sweepers, before hitting the “Bus Stop”—a tight, right-left-right-left S-curve where cars literally hop the curbs to maintain speed. After that, they dive into the “Carousel,” a long, sweeping right-hand turn that tests tire endurance and patience. It’s a rhythmic, physical layout that demands perfection at every turn, which is exactly why they say you don’t just drive Watkins Glen—you survive it!

Road Course Ragers: Who Wins at the Glen!

• Andy’s Pick: Chase Elliott. He’s got the momentum from Texas and knows every inch of the Glen.
• Leesl’s Pick: SVG. He’s the road course master, and I’m banking on him to handle the “Bus Stop” better than anyone else.

Leaderboard Strikes and Gutter Balls:

Team	Total Points	Status
Lone Star Racin’	2463	Still in the “Pocket”—avoiding the 7-10 split. 🎯
Windy City Racin’	2270	Throwing a backup ball and hunting for a strike. 💥

• Leesl’s Lone Star Racin’ – These boots are meant for racing!
  • Hamlin, Logano, Reddick, Byron, Briscoe, Wallace, SVG, Chastain.
• Andy’s Windy City Racin’ – From second city to first place!
  • Elliott (🏆 winner), Larson, Blaney, Bell, Bowman, Buescher, Keselowski, Zilisch.

Join the Crew!

Don’t leave us in the gutter! Share your thoughts on the Texas fallout and your predictions for Watkins Glen. Are you throwing a strike with your fantasy roster this week, or just hoping to avoid the blue rails? Let’s talk racing! 🏁👇