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A meaningful multi-car accident initiated by austin Hill brought a halt to the NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Watkins Glen International,blocking the track and causing a lengthy red flag period. The incident occurred on lap 13 of the 82-lap race.
Corey Heim of TRICON Garage triumphed in a dramatic, triple-overtime finish at Watkins Glen International in the NASCAR Truck Series race. The victory marked Heim’s third win of the 2023 season and came after a race filled with cautions and intense competition.
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Watkins Glen, NY – Austin Hill secured a dramatic victory in the NASCAR Xfinity Series shriners Children’s 200 at Watkins Glen International on Saturday, benefiting from late-race incidents that reshaped the running order. The race, plagued by multiple cautions and a significant multi-car pileup, concluded under a yellow flag after a final wreck involving championship contender Shane van Gisbergen.
The race’s final lap saw a massive wreck erupt, triggered by contact between Connor Zilisch and his Kaulig Racing teammate, Shane van Gisbergen, while battling for the lead. The incident involved multiple cars and completely blocked the track, necessitating a race-ending caution. Prior to the final-lap chaos, Austin Hill had been steadily closing the gap to the leaders, capitalizing on the attrition ahead.
Van gisbergen, who started from the pole position after qualifying at 114.888 mph, had led a significant portion of the 82-lap race. The new Zealand native,making onyl his second start on a road course in the Xfinity Series,demonstrated impressive speed and control throughout the event. Zilisch,in his seventh Xfinity Series start,was attempting to score his first career win.
The race featured a total of eight cautions for 33 laps, considerably extending the race duration. Notable drivers involved in incidents included Jeb Burton and Bayley Currey, who were collected in the final-lap wreck. The Watkins Glen International road course, a 2.45-mile layout with seven turns, historically produces unpredictable races, and Saturday’s event proved no exception.
The Shriners Children’s 200 was the 11th race of the 2024 NASCAR Xfinity Series season. the series is scheduled to continue next weekend at Kentucky Motor Speedway.
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Watkins Glen, NY – August 10, 2024 – Shane van Gisbergen, driving the No. 88 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports, claimed his first NASCAR Cup Series victory today at the Go bowling at The Glen, a 90-lap race held on the 2.45-mile Watkins Glen International road course. The win marks a important milestone for the New Zealand native,who is in his rookie season in the Cup Series.
Van Gisbergen took the lead for 38 laps, ultimately finishing 11 seconds ahead of runner-up Christopher Bell of Joe Gibbs Racing in the No. 20 Toyota. Chris Buescher, piloting the No.17 Ford Mustang for RFK Racing, completed the podium in third place.
The victory is notably noteworthy as it prevents the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series playoffs from being filled exclusively by race winners. With 16 spots available, van Gisbergen’s win guarantees that at least one driver will qualify based on points standings.Austin Dillon is currently projected to be that driver, according to NASCAR’s point system.
The race saw intense competition throughout the field, with several lead changes and strategic pit stops. William Byron finished fourth, followed by Chase Briscoe in fifth. Ryan Blaney, the reigning Cup series champion, secured a sixth-place finish.
Watkins Glen International,located in Watkins Glen,New york,has been a fixture on the NASCAR schedule since 1957,and is renowned for its challenging road course layout. The track features nine turns and significant elevation changes, testing drivers’ skill and precision.
This win for van Gisbergen adds to Hendrick Motorsports’ remarkable record at Watkins Glen, with the team now holding a total of six victories at the track. The team, owned by Rick Hendrick, is a powerhouse in NASCAR, consistently fielding competitive cars and drivers.
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William Byron wins at Watkins Glen” class=”wp-image-17898″ srcset=”https://racingnews.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/William-Byron-wins-Watkins-Glen-International-NASCAR-Cup-Series-1-1-scaled-768×512.jpg 768w,https://racingnews.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/William-byron-wins-Watkins-Glen-International-NASCAR-Cup-Series-1-1-scaled-1536×1024.jpg 1536w, https://racingnews.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/William-Byron-wins-Watkins-Glen-International-NASCAR-cup-Series-1-1-scaled-414×275.jpg 414w, https://racingnews.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/William-Byron-wins-Watkins-Glen-International-NASCAR-Cup-Series-1-1-scaled-375×250.jpg 375w” sizes=”(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px”/>WATKINS GLEN, NY – August
A seismic shift in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series has occurred as Kaden Honeycutt departs Niece Motorsports, triggering a cascade of driver announcements for the upcoming Watkins Glen races. Meanwhile, racing icons Kevin Harvick and Dale Earnhardt Jr. have voiced significant criticisms of the NextGen Cup car, signaling potential turbulence for NASCAR’s future.
The drama began with **Kaden Honeycutt**, currently ninth in the Truck Series playoff standings, announcing his departure from Niece Motorsports. He is expected to fill in for the injured **Stewart Friesen**. Friesen suffered a broken pelvis and a fractured leg in a recent wreck, sidelining him for the remainder of the season. His victory at Michigan secured a playoff spot, making his replacement a crucial decision.
Niece Motorsports confirmed their split with **Honeycutt** on Monday. Rumors suggest **Honeycutt** is slated to take over the #11 Toyota next season, potentially as **Corey Heim** moves to the Cup Series. This development, coupled with **Friesen**’s injury, has expedited **Honeycutt**’s new role.
Ready to finish out the season strong ๐ pic.twitter.com/rIxXRG6E0D
โ Kaden Honeycutt (@KadenWHoneycutt) August 5, 2025
Although **Honeycutt** was in a strong position to qualify for the playoffs with Niece, this move prioritizes his career advancement. He will drive the #52 Toyota for Halmar-Friesen Racing at Richmond and the #02 Chevrolet for Youngโs Motorsports at Watkins Glen this weekend. The #52 entry is already playoff-bound, offering a significant career boost.
โ Niece Motorsports (@NieceMotorsport) August 4, 2025
The Watkins Glen International lineup features several notable driver changes. **Connor Zilisch** will take the reins of the #45 truck for Niece Motorsports this weekend, with **Bayley Currey** slated to drive it after this event. **Ross Chastain** is confirmed for the #44 truck.
**Christopher Bell** will pilot the #91 for Halmar-Friesen Racing at the Glen, stepping in due to **Friesen**’s injury and **Honeycutt**’s immediate departure.
A new contender emerges as young talent **Brent Crews** launches his own Truck Series team. He’s set to make his debut this weekend in the #70 Toyota, sponsored by Pristine Auction. This marks a significant new venture in the series.
10 years of bringing home trophies has led us to here. @racewithnitro x @BCMinsider pic.twitter.com/LsPaAG06JA
โ BrentCrewsMotorsports (@BCMinsider) August 1, 2025
**Michael McDowell** will drive the #11 Camaro for Kaulig Racing, following the team’s parting ways with **Josh Williams**. **McDowell**’s car will feature sponsorship from **Bailey Zimmerman**’s upcoming album, “Different Night Same Rodeo,” releasing Friday.
.@Mc_Driverโs No. 11 Chevy will feature @baileyzimmerman‘s second album โDifferent Night Same Rodeoโ this weekend at Watkins Glen! ๐ธ๐ค
The album is set to drop this Friday, August 8, 2025! pic.twitter.com/5nN1UNizvG
โ Kaulig Racing (@KauligRacing) August 5, 2025
In the Cup Series, **Connor Zilisch** makes his fourth start of the year, piloting the #87 Red Bull Chevrolet for Trackhouse Racing.
The ongoing dialogue surrounding the NextGen car’s performance intensified this week with strong opinions from NASCAR legends **Kevin Harvick** and **Dale Earnhardt Jr.** following a challenging race at Iowa Speedway.
**Harvick** expressed concern that the Cup cars were slower than ARCA machines during qualifying.
โThe Cup cars need to go WAY faster.โ @KevinHarvick wants more horsepower! pic.twitter.com/aSkkNn78M1
โ HarvickHappyHour (@HarvickHappyPod) August 5, 2025
NASCAR’s SVP of Competition, **Elton Sawyer**, indicated on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio that increased horsepower for the NextGen car is being considered, but not before the 2026 season. However, **Harvick**’s observation points to broader issues beyond just power, suggesting fundamental design challenges.
**Earnhardt Jr.** was more blunt with his assessment.
โI donโt love this car. Itโs an IMSA car, itโs got a diffuser, low profile tires, big rims, and big brakes, itโs a sports car, not a NASCAR stock car, but it is here. It doesnโt do any good, doesnโt do me any good to sit and b**ch about the f*****g lack of tire fall off or the inability to pass, itโs frustrating.โ
โDale Earnhardt Jr., NASCAR Hall of Famer
Will the real single-lug gang please stand up? ๐๐คฃ
A new @DaleJr Download is out now! ๐๏ธ
Apple: https://t.co/dTxj8z4liI
Spotify: https://t.co/956m4ERjHV
YouTube: https://t.co/klCbNht0Tl pic.twitter.com/atxsISIgQnโ Dirty Mo Media (@DirtyMoMedia) August 5, 2025
Criticism from respected figures like **Harvick** and **Earnhardt Jr.** highlights growing dissatisfaction with the NextGen car’s on-track product. These sentiments suggest that significant adjustments may be necessary to improve the racing experience for fans and competitors alike.