Ryan Preece
JD Motorsports with Gary Keller
Chevrolet 01
Watkins Glen International preview
Zippo 200
Saturday, Aug. 6
The race: 200 miles, 82 laps; race 20 of 33
WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. – Ryan Preece will race for the first time on the Watkins Glen International road course in Saturday’s Zippo 200 Xfinity Series race.
The race is the first of three at road courses for the Xfinity Series.
“It’s a different sort of ball game for me, but I’m confident we can do well,” Preece said. “I’ve heard and read about Watkins Glen forever, so it will be fun to finally get to race there.”
The race will be more of a challenge because six Sprint Cup drivers – Kyle Busch, Brad Keselowski, Joey Logano, Paul Menard, Kyle Larson and Trevor Bayne – are scheduled to be in the field.
There is unusual interest in the Xfinity race among Sprint Cup teams because the track has been repaved, and some drivers want more time on the new surface before Sunday’s Cup race.
Because of the repave, Xfinity teams have additional practice this week. Sessions are scheduled at 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Thursday and 10 a.m. Friday. Qualifying is set for 4:45 p.m. Friday, with the race green flag set for 2 p.m. Saturday.
