NASCAR Cup PR

Roush Fenway Racing heads north to the Empire State and the concrete jungle where dreams are made of as the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series (MENCS) tackles the 2.45-mile road course at Watkins Glen International.

LaJoie hopes to spread the mission and raise awareness of this enormous undertaking throughout the weekend at The Glen, the second of three road courses on the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series schedule.

“I always love going to Watkins Glen - and any road course, for that matter. It's one of my favorite tracks to race at. You've got to be smart about your restarts and braking zones.

“I’m looking forward to racing this weekend at the Glen. The key to road racing is being smooth and trying to limit your mistakes.

Newman will make his 18th start at Watkins Glen on Sunday. In 17 prior starts, Newman has an average finish of 17.9 with three top-10s and one top five.

DIBENEDETTO BY THE NUMBERS: In four Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series career starts at Watkins Glen International, Matt DiBenedetto has an average start of 31.8 and an average finish of 30.2.  He’s completed 338 of 360 (93.9 percent) career laps at the 2.45-mile road course.

Richard Childress Racing at "The Glen" ... In 73 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series starts at Watkins Glen International, RCR boasts two wins (Robby Gordon 2003 and Kevin Harvick 2006), eight top-five and 21 top-10 finishes. Dale Earnhardt won three poles (1990, '92, '96) at the high-speed, seven-turn, upstate New York facility.

This week’s NASCAR schedule kicks off Thursday night with the Eldora Dirt Derby, an event that Chase Briscoe won last year in a thrilling final lap duel with fellow ThorSport driver Grant Enfinger. That race will be followed by a weekend doubleheader at Watkins Glen International, featuring the NASCAR XFINITY Series on Saturday and Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series on Sunday. Here’s a look at how Ford has done at both tracks through the years.

In advance of the official launch, Chase Elliott will drive a special No. 9 Hooters Spirits Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 at Bristol Motor Speedway on August 17. Hooters has expanded its sponsorship with Elliott and 12-time NASCAR Cup Series Champions, Hendrick Motorsports, to include the Bristol night race.

For the seventh time in Toyota Racing history, Toyota drivers swept the top-three positions with Hamlin (first), Erik Jones (second) and Truex Jr (third). It was the second time Toyota has swept the top-three positions this season (Daytona 500).