Defending champ SVG secures birthday pole for Go Bowling at The Glen

This is the first spring date for the event, which at 100 laps is 10 laps longer than previous years. Outside of the 2024 event, the other Cup weekends at WGI have been in August.

Another change is stricter track limits from NASCAR designed to cut down on drivers running outside the racing surface. Tire packs are in place in Turn 1 and the Carousel (Outer Loop).

Van Gisbergen said he doesn't see a difference going through the Carousel but said drivers need to be more accurate in Turn 1.

"You really have to brake a little bit earlier and harder to stop the corner, and then you’ve got no margin for error," Van Gisbergen said. "You’re trying to stay relatively tight last year, but you could blow the corner if you needed to and still make time."

May 9, 2026; Watkins Glen, New York, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Shane Van Gisbergen (97) during practice and qualifying for the Go Bowling at The Glen at Watkins Glen International. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images

He said he's not sure what the impact will be of the increased race length, adding, "It will be cool to see how it plays out."

Stage breaks will come after laps 20 and 50 instead of laps 20 and 40.

"I think you’ll still stay out the whole time, it will just drag out that second stage," Van Gisbergen said. "But some people might do something different to leapfrog them into the third stage maybe. There's an option there."

More: WGI announces September weekend for its 2027 NASCAR Cup Series event

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May race accompanied by wet and muddy conditions

NASCAR's first May race at the Schuyler County road course has been greeted with temperatures in the 50s that have felt colder because of wind. Rain early in the week and throughout the weekend has left muddy conditions for campers and others navigating the property.

Qualifying sessions for Friday's ARCA Menards Series and Saturday's NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series races were rained out. No races have been impacted by the weather.

Sunday's forecast includes warmer temperatures around 60 degrees that will be accompanied by cloudy skies.

Go Bowling at The Glen on TV

Scheduled start time for the Go Bowling at The Glen is 3:14 p.m., with driver introductions and the parade lap set for 2:20.

Fox Sports 1 will provide live television coverage starting at 3.

This article originally appeared on Elmira Star-Gazette: Qualifying recap of the 2026 Go Bowling at The Glen at Watkins Glen