Just five races remain before the start of NASCAR's playoffs before the 16-driver playoff field is set. Thirteen drivers have won a race that counts toward playoff eligibility, leaving 12 drivers fighting for the final three spots.

Sunday's race at Watkins Glen International could feature another upset winner, spoiling bubble drivers Chase Elliott, Matt Kenseth, Jamie McMurray, and Clint Bowyer's shot at making the playoffs on points alone.

Road-course specialist AJ Allmendinger is hoping to crash the playoffs like he did in 2014 with a win at 7-turn, 2.45-mile road course of Watkins Glen. In eight races at The Glen, Allmendinger has five top 10s and an average finish of 9.4.

Sunday's race is also Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s final road course race of his career. Junior, who sits a disappointing 216 points behind the playoff cutoff line, has never won at a road course and has an average finish of 21.7 at Watkins Glen. Junior needs a "Dale Mary" if he's going to win Sunday.

NASCAR at Watkins Glen schedule, TV channel info

(All times ET)

Friday, August 4



12-12:55 p.m.: Xfinity Series practice, NBC Sports App

2:30-3:25 p.m.: Xfinity Series final practice, NBC Sports App

Saturday, August 5



10-10:55 a.m.: Cup Series practice, NBCSN

11:05 a.m.: Xfinity Series qualifying, NBCSN

12:30-1:20 p.m.: Cup Series final practice, NBCSN

2 p.m.: Xfinity Series Series Zippo 200 at The Glen (82 laps, 200.9 miles), NBCSN

Sunday, August 6



12:05 p.m.: Cup Series qualifying, NBCSN

Watkins Glen weather forecast

Weather could be an issue Friday at the Upstate New York track with a 60 percent chance of precipitation. Rain shouldn't be an issue Saturday and Sunday as partly cloudy conditions and temperatures in the mid 70s are expected.

What TV channel is the NASCAR race on?

The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series I LOVE NEW YORK 355 at The Glen begins at 3 p.m. ET on Sunday, August 6th and can be seen on NBC Sports Network and the NBC Sports app.

What are the stage lengths for NASCAR's I LOVE NEW YORK 355 at Watkins Glen?

The I LOVE NEW YORK 355, which is 90 laps and 220.5 miles, will be broken into three segments: Stage 1 ends on Lap 20, Stage 2 ends on Lap 40 and the final stage ends on Lap 90.

Saturday's Xfinity Series race will be broken into three stages: Lap 20, Lap 40 and Lap 82.

Which NASCAR Cup Series drivers are racing in the I LOVE NEW YORK 355 at Watkins Glen?

There are 36 Cup drivers entered in Sunday's race, meaning all drivers will make the race with Sunday's qualifying setting their starting positions. Here is the list of participating Cup drivers in alphabetical order by first name:

AJ Allmendinger

Aric Almirola

Austin Dillon

Brad Keselowski

Chase Elliott

Chris Buescher

Clint Bowyer

Cole Whitt

Corey LaJoie

Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Danica Patrick

Daniel Suarez

David Ragan

Denny Hamlin

Erik Jones

Gary Klutt

Jamie McMurray

Jeffrey Earnhardt

Jimmie Johnson

Joey Logano

Kasey Kahne

Kevin Harvick

Kurt Busch

Kyle Busch

Kyle Larson

Landon Cassill

Martin Truex Jr.

Matt DiBenedetto

Matt Kenseth

Michael McDowell

Paul Menard

Ricky Stenhouse Jr.

Ryan Blaney

Ryan Newman

Trevor Bayne

Ty Dillon