Brad Keselowski to Start on Pole Position for Cup Race at Watkins Glen

This weekend is the NASCAR Cup Series race at Watkins Glen. For this race, there is no qualifying session, so the sport has to rely on the championship formula to decide the grid. As a result, Brad Keselowski won the pole position and will start alongside teammate Joey Logano. It gets even better for Team Penske because Ryan Blaney starts third on the grid.

Blaney starts ahead of Kyle Larson in the Hendrick Motorsports car and Stewart-Haas Racing’s Kevin Harvick. Championship leader Denny Hamlin has a bit of a task on his hands from 6th on the grid. Christopher Bell heads the rest of the Top 10, with Aric Almirola, Martin Truex Jr and Alex Bowman rounding it out.

The No. 2 will have the best view of the green flag on Sunday!@keselowski will start from the pole at @WGI. pic.twitter.com/PPno4uj5vS

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) August 4, 2021

Defending champion Chase Elliott just misses out on a Top 10 start, ahead of Ross Chastain. Row 7 of the grid consists of Tyler Reddick and Matt DiBenedetto. William Byron, the last of the Hendrick drivers, starts in 15th place, ahead of Austin Dillon in the #3 Richard Childress car at Watkins Glen.

How does the rest of the grid line up behind Brad Keselowski?

Kurt Busch, Ricky Stenhouse Jr, Cole Custer and a disappointed Kyle Busch round out the Top 20. Just behind the quartet are Daniel Suarez and Erik Jones. Ryan Preece sits in 23rd place, ahead of Chris Buescher and Daytona 500 winner, Michael McDowell. Alongside McDowell is 23XI Racing driver Bubba Wallace, who is ahead of Chase Briscoe and Ryan Newman.

Feb 21, 2021; Daytona Beach, Florida, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Brad Keselowski (2) during the O’Reilly Auto Parts 253 at Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Corey LaJoie and Justin Haley complete the Top 30 drivers. Meanwhile, Anthony Alfredo leads the remaining drivers in 31st place. He is ahead of Garrett Smithley, Kyle Tilley, Josh Bilicki, Quin Houff, James Davison and RC Enerson. Without a doubt, Brad Keselowski will be keen to add to his Cup Series win at Talladega. However, he will face plenty of stiff competition from his rivals. On the bright side, he has all of his teammates surrounding him, and a nice bout of teamwork could protect him.

READ MORE: UNVEILED: Team Penske Reveal Striking Livery for Brad Keselowski for Watkins Glen Race

The post Brad Keselowski to Start on Pole Position for Cup Race at Watkins Glen appeared first on EssentiallySports.