Carlos Contreras is back behind the wheel of the No. 44 38 Special/Ingersoll Rand/Voli Camry this weekend for the second NNS road course race of 2014. Contreras has two previous starts at the 11-turn road course circuit, and has an average starting position of 20.0 and an average finishing position of 32.0. Earlier this season, Contreras finish 15th at Road America in the No. 44 Camry and is ready to take on The Glen this weekend.
Eric McClure will be making his sixth Nationwide Series start at Watkins Glen International on Saturday afternoon. His best finish at the 2.45-mile, 11-turn road course dates back to 2012 when he crossed the finish line in the 26th spot. One year ago, McClure was on course to earning a track-best finish when a tie-rod broke on the No. 14 Camry with 21 laps remaining. Although the team made quick repairs, there wasn't enough time to make up the ground lost in the pits resulting in a 28th-place finish.
There is no week like it the rest of the season. A preliminary night, with heavily inverted and stacked heat races, that can make or break the rest of the week. Crucial event-points earned each time a driver takes the track. Over 100 cars entered for just 24 starting spots. It is a pressure-filled equation called the Knoxville Nationals at the famed Knoxville Raceway in Iowa.
McMurray at The Glen: McMurray has made 11 previous starts at Watkins Glen. He has one top-five, two top-ten finishes and has led 13 laps. McMurray has an average starting position of 15.5 and an average finish of 19.5. He has completed 895 of 994 (90%) laps of competition. His best qualifying result was a front row start from the second position in 2010 and a best finish of third in 2006.
After a 16th place finish last weekend in the "American Heartland", Mike Bliss and the No. 19 TriStar Motorsports Camry are ready to take on the meandering 11-turn road course in Watkins Glen, New York. With seven previous NNS starts at the 3.4-mile course, Bliss has an average starting position of 24.1 and an average finishing position of 23.0. After his 10th place finish at Road America in June, Bliss is ready to battle the left and right turns at Watkins Glen International.
Watkins Glen Preview: The Series heads to Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International for Sunday’s 90-lap event on the 2.45-mile, 11-turn road course. Hamlin has four-career top-10 finishes in eight starts at The Glen, with a runner-up result in his second trip to the track in 2007. Hamlin started 20th and finished 19th at Watkins Glen one year ago.
The No. 23 team that competes in the NASCAR Nationwide Series has been penalized for a rules infraction that occurred during practice Aug. 1 at Iowa Speedway.
The No. 17 team that competes in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series has been penalized for a rules violation discovered during opening day inspection July 31 at Pocono Raceway.
The 2014 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series presented by Mobil 1 will head to Quebec for the fourth and final time this year with the JuliaWine.com Le 50 Tours on Sunday at Circuit de Trois-Rivieres.
High hopes: “The No. 47 SCOTT Products Chevrolet SS team is on a mission this weekend at Watkins Glen International,” crew chief Brian Burns said. “Obviously, with our driver we have focused on the two road courses. We had a car that could have won Sonoma Raceway.
