Drivers to watch in NASCAR Cup Series race at Watkins Glen

Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Watkins Glen International is the next-to-last event on the regular season schedule.

The 220-mile race will offer one of the last two opportunities for drivers to win and earn a spot on the playoff grid. Fifteen drivers have won races, leaving one position open.

Ryan Blaney holds the 16th spot and leads Martin Truex Jr. by 26 points for that position.

Kevin Harvick won last Sunday’s race at Richmond Raceway and will be eyeing a third straight victory Sunday at Watkins Glen. The regular season is scheduled to end Aug. 27 at Daytona International Speedway.

Drivers to watch on the 2.45-mile road course Sunday:

Martin Truex Jr.

Sunday could be “now or never” for Truex. He needs to make significant point gains on Ryan Blaney or win one of the final two regular-season races to make the playoffs. The Glen is one of Truex’s best tracks. He won there in 2017.

Kevin Harvick

Harvick currently is the exact definition of “front runner.” He has won two consecutive races and will be among the favorites Sunday. He has three straight top-10 finishes at the Glen.

Tyler Reddick

Reddick has been a superstar on road courses this season. He has wins at Indianapolis and Road America and has four top fives in the past five road races.

Chase Elliott

Elliott rebounded a bit last Sunday at Richmond with a fifth-place finish after failing to reach the top 10 at Michigan and Indianapolis. In the previous six races, he had finished no worse than second. The Glen is an Elliott favorite. Can he repeat performances that have earned him two wins and three straight top twos there?

William Byron

Byron’s season has been generally mediocre since he scored his second win of the year in the eighth race of the season at