Getty

WATKINS GLEN, NEW YORK - AUGUST 09: Connor Zilisch, driver of the #88 Registix Chevrolet, and William Sawalich, driver of the #18 Soundgear Toyota, race during the NASCAR Xfinity Series Mission 200 at The Glen at Watkins Glen International on August 09, 2025 in Watkins Glen, New York. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)

The NASCAR Cup Series entry list for this weekend’s race at Watkins Glen International has already created major discussion across the garage before practice even begins. NASCAR confirmed a 38-car field for the 40th Annual Go Bowling at The Glen, one of the biggest road-course races on the NASCAR Cup Series schedule.

Veteran FOX Sports reporter Bob Pockrass shared the official Watkins Glen entry list on X on May 4. The field includes championship contenders, road-course specialists, and several open entries that quickly grabbed attention.

Josh Bilicki and Katherine Legge headline the non-chartered entries, while several teams arrive with new sponsor looks. With the NASCAR playoff battle tightening, Sunday’s Watkins Glen race could become one of the most important events of the regular season.

NASCAR Cup Series Entry List Adds New Attention to Open Cars

The NASCAR entry list includes two open entries that immediately stood out ahead of the Watkins Glen race. Josh Bilicki will drive the No. 66 Ford for Garage 66, though he remains ineligible for driver championship points. Katherine Legge returns to the NASCAR Cup Series in the No. 78 Chevrolet for Live Fast Motorsports.

Several sponsor changes also drew attention after the Watkins Glen entry list became official. Brad Keselowski’s No. 6 RFK Racing Ford will feature Modelo branding. Tyler Reddick’s No. 45 Toyota for 23XI Racing carries Jordan Brand colors for the NASCAR road-course race.

Kyle Busch will drive the No. 8 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet with zone Jalapeño Lime sponsorship. Bubba Wallace’s No. 23 Toyota features Hardee’s/Coca-Cola backing. William Byron’s No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet appeared on the NASCAR entry list without a listed primary sponsor.

NASCAR Cup Series Teams Bring Top Drivers to Watkins Glen

Top organizations in the NASCAR Cup Series will field full lineups at the Watkins Glen road course. Hendrick Motorsports enters Kyle Larson, Chase Elliott, William Byron, and Alex Bowman. Elliott remains one of the strongest active road-course racers in NASCAR.

Joe Gibbs Racing fields Denny Hamlin, Chase Briscoe, Christopher Bell, and Ty Gibbs in Toyota Camrys. Team Penske will bring Austin Cindric, Ryan Blaney, and Joey Logano in Ford Mustangs, while RFK Racing adds Chris Buescher and Ryan Preece alongside Keselowski.

The field also includes several proven road-course drivers. AJ Allmendinger returns in the No. 16 Chevrolet for Kaulig Racing. Shane van Gisbergen, one of the top road racers in the field, will drive the No. 97 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet with SuperFile sponsorship.

Front Row Motorsports plans to field Noah Gragson, Todd Gilliland, Zane Smith, and one additional TBA entry for the Watkins Glen race weekend.

Watkins Glen International Race Could Impact NASCAR Playoff Battle

The Watkins Glen race marks the second NASCAR road-course race of the 2026 season. The regular season is moving closer to its final stretch, making every playoff point increasingly important for drivers still fighting to secure postseason positions.

The NASCAR entry list also includes Daniel Suárez, Carson Hocevar, John Hunter Nemechek, Erik Jones, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Michael McDowell, Cody Ware, and Connor Zilisch. Some teams still show open sponsor slots, though those deals often become official closer to race weekend.

Practice and qualifying will give teams their first chance to prepare for one of NASCAR’s most technical tracks. Watkins Glen has regularly rewarded drivers with strong road-racing backgrounds, making strategy and execution critical throughout the event.

Fans can follow complete NASCAR Cup Series coverage from Watkins Glen through national television broadcasts and NASCAR digital platforms all weekend long.