From the peaches of Atlanta, Ga. to the Big Apple of New York, the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs are officially in full swing.
A plot-twisting opening race at Atlanta Motor Speedway brings the tour to Watkins Glen International for the track’s first playoff race. With several underdogs turning in great days while heavy favorites faltered in Atlanta, the pressure only ramps up in The Empire State.
Between the unpredictability of the playoffs, a new Cup tire compound coming to The Glen, and the NASCAR Xfinity Series winding its regular season down, there is plenty of intensity to go around in the second race of the Round of 16.
The New York fans also show up, and they will have plenty of extra intrigue to embrace this weekend.
Pre-Race Concert: Watkins Glen hosts the Back Road Concert Series this weekend, featuring a trio of performances from Sept. 12-14. On Thursday, country music artist Logan Route will kick the week off. The Pennsylvania native will take the stage at 6:00 p.m ET.
In the middle of the lineup will be folk-rock band PA Line at 7:30 p.m. ET on Friday. Closing the weekend out on Saturday will be country singer-songwriter Claudia Hoyser. The Fairport, N.Y. native has received millions of views across social media, and she will conclude the concert series at 8:30 p.m. ET.
National Anthem: Hoyser will also perform the national anthem ahead of the Go Bowling at The Glen.
Entering his fifth year with Frontstretch, Luken Glover is the author of The Underdog House, shedding light on the motivation and performance of NASCAR's dark horse teams as they strive to fight to the top. Additionally, Glover reports for the site at various events, and he contributes in the video editing department.
A 2023 graduate of the University of the Cumberlands, Glover is a middle school math and PE teacher, as well as a basketball coach. He is passionate about serving in his church, playing/coaching a wide variety of sports, and researching motorsports history.