2012 Finger Lakes 355 Predictions
WATKINS GLEN, NY (ATS Consultants) – The Sprint Cup Series heads to Watkins Glen International Speedway (N.Y.) for the 22nd Cup race of 2012 on Sunday, August 12 at 1:00PM ET for the Finger Lakes 355.
This is the second and final road course race of the season. Clint Bowyer won the season’s first road course event in June at Sonoma, Calif.
View Updated 2012 Finger Lakes 355 Odds
Marcos Ambrose became a first-time Sprint Cup race winner one year ago when he took the checkered flag at Watkins Glen. The event was delayed one day due to rain. Ambrose passed Brad Keselowski for the lead during a green-white- checkered finish and then held it for his maiden victory in his 105th start in NASCAR’s top series. He won three Nationwide races in a row at this track from 2008-10.
Watkins Glen International is a 7-turns with banking track with a lap distance of 2.46 miles. We’ll see 90 laps of exciting racing and fuel strategy for a total race distance of 221 miles.
Kyle Busch finished outside the top ten just once and it was in his rookie season. Last year, Kyle started on the pole, led more than half the race (49 laps) and finished 3rd. In the last six Watkins Glen races among drivers who completed in all six races Kyle Busch has the best average finish (5.3), the second best average starting position (6.2) and is the only driver who finished in the top ten in all six races. In 2008, he started first and finished first.
MWR Toyotas are back in Sonoma and Truex looked well on his way to a top 6 finish until late and had the 5th-best driver rating. Some people will look at Martin’s average finish of 14.3 here and go with another option. He finished 4th here last season and had runs of 6th and 5th in 2007 and 2008 with running for DEI.
Brian Vickers 50-1
He has a 10.5 average finish in four starts with Michael Waltrip Racing and two top-five finishes. His best finish was a fourth-place at the first road course event at Infineon Raceway.
2012 Finger Lakes 355 Information
Location: Watkins Glen Raceway
Start Time: 1pmET
Green Flag: Approx. 1:19PM ET
TV Coverage: ESPN
Radio Coverage: IMS Racing Network (Sirius XM NASCAR Radio Channel 90)
Track Type: 2.45 mile 90 laps, 221 miles
2011: Marcos Ambrose
2010: Juan Pablo Montoya
2009: Tony Stewart
2008: Kyle Busch
2007: Tony Stewart
1. Marcos Ambrose
2. Brad Keselowski
3. Kyle Busch
4. Martin Truex Jr.
5. Joey Logano
ATSSportsline.com has been providing winning sports picks since 1992. Want more from ATS Consultants? Click Free Picks to get daily winners delivered directly to your inbox with no obligation!