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What’s happening, NASCAR fans? As we venture further into the modern world of modern NASCAR racing, road courses are becoming more prevalent throughout the year, especially in the era of win-and-you’re-in. In the past, road course races (with only 2 on the schedule) were races many drivers just tried to survive to race another day. But now, with road/street course races being so common, it is imperative that drivers aren’t out to lunch for these races.
Throughout NASCAR history, some drivers have taken to turning left and right better than others. With NASCAR’s return to Watkins Glen this weekend, we figured that it’d be cool to look at some of the best road racers in NASCAR still racing today. Here are the 5 best at the craft.
Full disclosure:
Among active drivers, Martin Truex Jr. consistently ranks among the best on road courses. He is a constant threat on these types of tracks and has won on the road a total of 5 times. He first won on a road course in 2013 at Sonoma Raceway. He then backed that up with back-to-back road course victories at Watkins Glen in 2017 and Sonoma in 2018. He went on to win 2 more road course races, both at Sonoma in 2019 and 2023 respectively. Throughout his career, MTJ has scored 14 top-5 finishes and 25 top-10s. The biggest blemish on his record is that he hasn’t really done that well in the newer races added to the NASCAR schedule in recent years. His 5 wins and a bulk of his better runs came at the mainstays of Sonoma and Watkins Glen. Still, he’s always one to watch when it comes to turning right and left in a big, bulky stockcar.
When it comes to modern masters of road course racing in NASCAR, a driver whose name is always tossed around is NASCAR’s most popular son, Chase Elliott. It’s a no-brainer for him to be on this list. In 31 starts, Elliott has visited victory lane seven times. He has also accomplished 17 top-5s and 21 top-10s. His wins include a four-race wins streak from Watkins Glen in 2019 to the Charlotte Roval in 2020.
His name gets thrown out when it comes to these races for a reason–he’s very, very good at them. His biggest drawback is that he hasn’t really performed as well in the NextGen era. He has 0 wins on road courses since 2022, though he has 2 runner-up finishes. Maybe this weekend at Watkins Glen, he can break his drought.
Of all the drivers on this list, no one has turned in as much, especially in the NextGen era, on the road as Tyler Reddick. In 22 starts, Reddick visited victory lane a total of 3 times, which doesn’t seem like a whole lot. But since 2022, his average finish at road courses is 7.4, among the absolute best in the series. Outside of race wins, he has also scored 7 top-5 finishes and 15 top-10s.
This weekend at Watkins Glen, don’t be surprised to see the number 45 Monster Energy Toyota running up front. Who knows? He might even clinch his spot in the Round of 12 this weekend.
When it comes to NASCAR Xfinity Series racing, in particular, almost nobody does it better than the Dinger. We’ll touch on the gentleman who might be just a little bit better in a moment. But nobody can deny A. J. Allmendinger’s talents when it comes to NASCAR road racing. Of Allmendinger’s 18 career NASCAR Cup Series victories, 11 have come on road courses. Meanwhile, all 3 of his Cup Series victories have come on road courses. In the NASCAR Xfinity Series, he’s scored 20 top-5 finishes on the road. He was previously seen as unstoppable on these types of tracks until a certain someone stole his thunder in 2024. Still, he’s a consistent threat for the win. Expect him to be running up front this weekend at Watkins Glen.
SVG is undisputably the greatest road course driver in NASCAR, both in the NASCAR Xfinity Series and the NASCAR Cup Series. Shane van Gisbergen shocked the world when he beat NASCAR’s best in his first-ever NASCAR start in 2022 on the Chicago Street Course. He followed that up by driving Track House’s Project 91 at the Indianapolis Road Course, where he wheeled it to a 10th-place finish. He was also in contention to go back-to-back in Chicago before he tangled with Kyle Larson and was forced to exit the race early.
In the NASCAR Xfinity Series this year, all three of his wins have come on road courses. He was also in contention early to win COTA but was forced to settle with a 27th-place finish. He is by far the favorite to win at the Glen this weekend. And, with his jump to the NASCAR Cup Series in 2025 (driving the No. 88 for Trackhouse), expect him to be a regular playoff contender for years to come.
That does it for us, Daily Downforce readers. What did you make of this list? Are there any drivers you feel that we left off? Who would you delete from this list? Let us know what you think by commenting on all of our socials! And be sure to keep it right here at DailyDownforce.com for all the latest news and silly season rumors in the world of NASCAR!
