Cup: SVG Paces at Watkins Glen: Mid-Race Report

What’s Happening?

Two stages down and two to go at the Glen. It has been the SVG show in upstate New York today with SVG leading a whopping 43 laps of the 50 run so far. Does anybody have the car to contend with engine No. 97? Only time will tell. Here’s where the chips fall heading into the last 60-lap stage at the Glen.

Mid-Race Report:

• The first stage was dominated by Shane van Gisbergen. Though Michael McDowell was able to stay with the No. 97 for the first few of the opening laps, inevitably, SVG pulled away to a massive lead with McDowell trailing behind and Connor Zilisch sliding into third. With 4 laps remaining in the stage, pit stops began to flip the stage. When SVG pitted with 2 laps remaining in the stage, he relinquished the race lead to his teammate Ross Chastain. Chastain went on to win the stage with SVG taking advantage of his massive lead to finish 8th. SVG led a total of 18 of the first 20 laps. When the race restarted, SVG once again resumed the race lead.
• Stage 1 points earners include: Ross Chastain (10), Joey Logano (9), Ryan Blaney (8), Austin Cindric (7), A. J. Allmendinger (6), John Hunter Nemechek (5), Christopher Bell (4), Shane van Gisbergen (3), Riley Herbst (2), and Michael McDowell (1).
• Stage 2 was once again dominated by Shane van Gisbergen. He led almost the entirety of the second stage, falling behind only after pit stops under caution. Even so, it didn’t take him long to find his way back out front as he went on to win Stage 2 in convincing fashion. It is SVG’s first stage win since the Roval last fall.
• Earning stage points in the second stage were: Shane van Gisbergen (10), Tyler Reddick (9), Ty Gibbs (8), Austin Dillon (7), Kyle Busch (6), Chris Buescher (5), Austin Cindric (4), Connor Zilisch (3), Chase Briscoe (2), and Bubba Wallace (1).
• The only caution for cause came on Lap 40 for debris as a tent flew out onto the racing surface.

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