NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
Cheez-It 355

Odds to Win Race

The Sprint Cup drivers battle in Watkins Glen for the Cheez-It 355 on Sunday. This race is different than most, as it is actually a road course. That means there are not only four turns and that adds some serious randomness to this race. It is, however, not going to be completely wild, as there are drivers that have had their way in this race. Tony Stewart is a guy that has dominated here in the past, winning five times in his career (2002, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2009). Jeff Gordon has also done extremely well, winning four times in his career (1997, 1998, 1999, 2001). With him subbing for the injured Dale Earnhardt Jr., this will likely be his last ever chance to tie Stewart for the most wins at this event. And finally, Kyle Busch is the only other driver with multiple victories (2008, 2013) at Watkins Glen. Joey Logano, meanwhile, has just one victory, but he does come into this thing as the defending champion. With that out of the way, here are some of the best values to win this race on Sunday:

Joey Logano - Joey Logano is coming off of a brutal performance in Pennsylvania, as he ended up getting into an accident and finishing in 37th. The outcome of that race is likely going to fuel the young driver and he should come into this one rather hungry for a win. Logano had been racing well before last week, so it was also more of a fluke that he had a poor showing. He had finished inside the top-10 at seven of his previous eight races before the wreck and should be able to get back on track here. It also helps that Logano is the defending champion coming into this race, so he is more than comfortable racing on the road course. His odds may not be too favorable, but he is worth putting a few units on.

Jeff Gordon - Gordon has not raced very well since returning to the track, coming in 13th place in Indianapolis and following it up with a 27th-place finish at Pocono Raceway last weekend. He is, however, going to feel more and more at home the more he races and this week he is returning to a track that he has dominated on in his career. Gordon may not have any recent victories at Watkins Glen, but he has still emerged victorious here four times in his career. Taking a shot on Gordon to win is a wise move, as his odds are pretty solid and he will definitely be hungry to tie Stewart for most ever wins on this track. It could be his final chance to do so and he definitely is well aware of that.

Tony Stewart - Tony Stewart is the all-time winningest driver at Watkins Glen and he will certainly be looking to pick up one more victory in what is likely his last ever race at the track. Stewart is retiring after the year and he will be looking to keep up his excellent racing on the year so he can go out with a bang. Stewart has shocked a lot of people by coming up with four top-five finishes on the year already. He didn’t finish inside the top-five once a year ago and is now racing like one of the better Sprint Cup drivers around. Look for him to keep that up at a track he loves and don’t be afraid to put a few units on him.

Chase Elliott - Chase Elliott has had an impressive year, but he has still failed to win a race and that is going to come back to haunt him if it doesn’t change on Sunday. Elliott has a chance of getting into the playoffs this season, but he is going to need to win a race and he needs to do it soon. The wreck last week really set him back, as it would have been huge for him to pick up more points with a decent finish. With no dark horses that are worth putting a play on, it’s not a bad idea to put a unit or two on a guy that is as desperate for a win as any.