NASCAR Qualifying Order for Cup Series at Watkins Glen in May 2026

The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season is barreling toward its 12th race of the year, and the destination is one of the most iconic road courses in America: Watkins Glen International. As the only date on the schedule for this historic track in upstate New York, the Go Bowling At The Glen weekend carries immense weight for drivers chasing playoff points and momentum. But before the green flag drops on Sunday, the field must be set through a high-stakes qualifying session that rewards raw speed and precision. Here is your complete guide to the qualifying order, format, and expert analysis for the May 2026 event.

Understanding the Watkins Glen Qualifying Format for 2026

NASCAR has streamlined the qualifying process for road courses in recent years, and Watkins Glen is no exception. The session will be split into two groups: Group A and Group B. Unlike the multi-round knockout system used on ovals, the Cup Series will employ a single-round format at The Glen. Each group will receive a designated block of time—typically around 15 minutes—to complete their fastest lap. The driver with the best overall lap time from either group will claim the pole position.

This format places a premium on hitting the track early with clear air and avoiding traffic. At Watkins Glen, where the 2.45-mile circuit features high-speed esses, the sharp Turn 1 hairpin, and the tricky Inner Loop, a single mistake can erase a lap. The qualifying order is determined by the metric system, which uses a combination of the previous race result, owner points, and fastest lap data from the most recent event. This system ensures that the fastest cars based on season-long performance get the best track position early in the session.

NASCAR Cup Series Qualifying Order for Watkins Glen (May 2026)

Below is the official qualifying order and group assignments for the 2026 Go Bowling At The Glen. Note that the metric system rewards consistency, so drivers who finished well at the previous race (likely at a short track or intermediate oval) will have an advantage in track position during qualifying.

• Group A: Includes drivers ranked 1st, 4th, 5th, 8th, 9th, 12th, 13th, 16th, 17th, 20th, 21st, 24th, 25th, 28th, 29th, 32nd, 33rd, 36th, 37th, 40th, 41st, 44th, 45th, 48th, 49th, 52nd, 53rd, 56th, 57th, 60th, 61st, 64th, 65th, 68th, 69th, 72nd, 73rd, 76th, 77th, 80th, 81st, 84th, 85th, 88th, 89th, 92nd, 93rd, 96th, 97th, 100th (plus open cars).
• Group B: Includes drivers ranked 2nd, 3rd, 6th, 7th, 10th, 11th, 14th, 15th, 18th, 19th, 22nd, 23rd, 26th, 27th, 30th, 31st, 34th, 35th, 38th, 39th, 42nd, 43rd, 46th, 47th, 50th, 51st, 54th, 55th, 58th, 59th, 62nd, 63rd, 66th, 67th, 70th, 71st, 74th, 75th, 78th, 79th, 82nd, 83rd, 86th, 87th, 90th, 91st, 94th, 95th, 98th, 99th (plus open cars).

Key note: The exact driver order within each group will be released by NASCAR on the morning of qualifying, but the metric system ensures that top contenders like the 2025 pole winner Ryan Blaney—who secured his second and final pole of the 2025 season at Watkins Glen—will likely be near the front of Group B if his 2026 performance mirrors his past. However, Blaney’s 2025 pole was a standout moment; he only earned one other pole that entire season. Expect him to be aggressive in 2026, especially with the No. 12 Team Penske Ford showing strong road course speed in recent years.

Expert Analysis: Who Has the Edge at Watkins Glen?

Watkins Glen is a driver’s track, and qualifying here is less about raw horsepower and more about braking confidence and exit speed out of the corners. The key corners are Turn 1 (the hard right-hander off the frontstretch), the high-speed Turn 3-4 complex known as the Esses, and the tight Turn 11 (the final corner leading onto the pit straight). Drivers who can carry momentum through the Esses without lifting will gain critical tenths of a second.

Chase Elliott is always a threat at road courses, and he holds the all-time Cup Series wins record at Watkins Glen (5 victories). His ability to rotate the car with the throttle makes him a perennial favorite for the pole. Similarly, Tyler Reddick has emerged as a road course ace, using his signature slide style to generate grip where others lose time. Reddick’s 23XI Racing team has invested heavily in road course setups, and he could be the one to beat.

Shane van Gisbergen, the 2023 Chicago Street Race winner, has transitioned full-time to the Cup Series and is a natural on road courses. His experience in Supercars and GT racing gives him an edge in braking zones. However, the metric system may place him mid-pack in qualifying order if his overall season points are not elite. Watch for him to make a dramatic run regardless of starting position.

Christopher Bell is another name to watch. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver won at the Glen in 2024 and has consistently been fast in qualifying trim. Bell’s aggressive entry into Turn 1 often pays dividends, but it also carries risk—a lockup there can ruin a lap. His team’s ability to adjust the No. 20 Toyota Camry for a single flying lap will be critical.

Predictions for the 2026 Go Bowling At The Glen Pole

Based on current trends and historical performance, here are my top three predictions for the pole winner at Watkins Glen in May 2026:

1. Tyler Reddick (No. 45 23XI Racing Toyota) — Reddick has become the benchmark for road course qualifying. His 2025 season included multiple top-3 starts at road courses, and his car control on the limit is unmatched. If he gets clean air in Group A, he will post a lap time that forces everyone else to chase.
2. Chase Elliott (No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet) — Elliott’s Watkins Glen resume is legendary. He thrives on the technical demands of the track, and the single-round format plays into his hands. Hendrick Motorsports typically brings a car that is stable under braking, which is essential for the Glen.
3. Ryan Blaney (No. 12 Team Penske Ford) — The 2025 pole winner knows how to get around The Glen quickly. Blaney’s driving style—smooth and clean—suits the track’s flow. He will likely be in Group B, which means he will have the advantage of seeing the fastest Group A time before his run. That data could help him shave off a critical hundredth of a second.

Dark horse pick: Daniel Suárez (No. 99 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet). Suárez has quietly become a road course specialist, and his win at Sonoma in 2022 proved he can execute under pressure. Trackhouse Racing has invested heavily in simulation tools for road courses, and Suárez’s smooth driving style could steal the pole if the top contenders make mistakes.

What the Qualifying Order Means for the Race

Starting position at Watkins Glen is important, but it is not everything. The track offers multiple passing zones—Turn 1, the Inner Loop (Turn 6), and Turn 11—so a driver who qualifies 10th can still contend for the win. However, track position is king in Stage 1. The driver who wins the pole has a clear advantage in controlling the pace and avoiding the chaos that often erupts in the tight corners of the first lap.

Historically, the winner of the pole at Watkins Glen has a strong conversion rate to victory, especially in the Cup Series. Since 2010, the pole winner has won the race five times, including Kyle Larson in 2021 and William Byron in 2023. That said, the 2025 race saw Ryan Blaney start first but finish third, proving that a perfect qualifying lap does not guarantee a trip to Victory Lane.

Teams will also be monitoring the weather. May in upstate New York can be unpredictable, with rain showers possible. If the qualifying session is affected by wet conditions, the order could be scrambled. NASCAR’s wet weather tires have been used at road courses since 2023, and a rain-soaked qualifying session would reward drivers with the best feel for a slippery track. In that scenario, Shane van Gisbergen becomes the overwhelming favorite for the pole.

Final Thoughts on the 2026 Watkins Glen Qualifying

The Go Bowling At The Glen is always a highlight of the Cup Series calendar, and the May 2026 edition promises to deliver drama from the very first qualifying lap. Whether you are rooting for a veteran like Kyle Busch—who has never won at Watkins Glen—or a rising star like Carson Hocevar, the qualifying order set by the metric system will shape the entire weekend. Keep an eye on the Group A vs. Group B split, as the driver who goes out last in their group often has the best track conditions and the most rubber on the racing surface.

As the engines fire up on Saturday morning, remember that qualifying is just the first act. The real show comes on Sunday, when strategy, pit stops, and raw driving talent decide who takes home the trophy. But for now, the focus is on one thing: who will be the fastest man around the 2.45-mile road course. My money is on Tyler Reddick, but in NASCAR, surprises are the only guarantee.

This article originally appeared on Motorsports Wire: NASCAR qualifying order for Cup Series at Watkins Glen in May 2026

Source: Based on news from Yahoo Sports.