RCR Lands First Double Top-10 Finish of Season

“That was a crazy race,” Allmendinger said about the 100-lap Go Bowling at The Glen event. “I thought when we started the race the No. 16 … Chevrolet was pretty good. We just still had some of the same issues that we’ve been fighting. After around 12-14 laps, it hits a cliff and gets loose.

“We got some Stage points. Unfortunately, that put us a little behind in strategy. It was just as tough to pass, so I thought we were going to be in for a long day. Trent (Owens, crew chief) made a really good call there. We had a good restart and started moving through the field. I don’t know if that run would have been better if it would have stayed green, but overall, despite being in a hole on strategy, Trent did a great job to get us back in position to at least be on the offensive side. Obviously, you always want more, but it was a good day.”

Cindric Acquires Ford’s Lone Top 10

Austin Cindric was known for his road racing abilities when he joined NASCAR’s Cup Series, and the Team Penske driver produced Ford’s lone top 10 finish in the Go Bowling at The Glen won by Shane van Gisbergen.

Austin Cindric.Chris Graythen - Getty Images

Cindric finished ninth, two positions ahead of teammate Ryan Blaney who was involved in an incident with William Byron in the chicane, also known as the bus stop.

“In a lot of ways, we maximized our day with points in most Stages, and earning a top 10 is a really good day for us,” Cindric said. “The strategy definitely got put into a really tight window, and we decided to go for it and get some fuel mileage out of this Ford Mustang and try to hold onto these rear tires. I feel that I may have left one or two spots on the table just trying to make it to the end.”

Blaney said he caved in his Ford’s nose when he hit Byron.

“I was actually surprised how fast the Mustang was after that,” Blaney said. “Overall, we fought from the back a few times to a decent finish and a good points day.”

Blaney is fourth in the driver standings.

Nemechek Records First Top 10 This Season

John Hunter Nemechek hadn’t produced a top 20 finish this year since the third race at Circuit of the Americas, but at Watkins Glen he recorded his first top 10 of 2026.

“Really solid day for us,” Nemechek said. “I feel like we played the first Stage to get Stage points. Had a late pit call but couldn’t get to pit road so we just made the most out of it. Ended up in the back and couldn’t really pass.

“Then we played a really good strategy at the end. Ended up staying out at the end, with like 40 to go, when a lot of guys pitted and they were going to try to make it. We were able to maintain on those tires, not lose that many spots or too much time. We kind of split the Stage and ended coming home 10th. Needed one more lap, probably would have gotten five more cars with everyone running out of gas, and us pushing so hard.”