Ryan Blaney Is In A New York State Of Mind

Wood Brothers Racing won at Watkins Glen International back in 1965 and look to visit victory lane with the Motorcraft/Quick Lane Racing team this weekend at the Cheez-It 355 at the Glen.

 The late Marvin Panch drove the Wood’s historic No. 21 at that ’65 Watkins Glen race. Rookie Ryan Blaney takes the wheel this time around. It is his first NASCAR race of any kind at the scenic New York road course.

 The last time the No. 21 competed at Watkins Glen was in 2008 with Marcos Ambrose at the controls. He finished in third place.

 “It’ll be a neat experience going to the Glen for the first time. It’s always been a favorite of mine to watch and I’m looking forward to racing there.”

                                                                                                                           — Ryan Blaney

RYAN BLANEY WATKINS GLEN FAST FACTS:

• Finished 23^rd at Sonoma earlier this season.WOOD BROTHERS WATKINS GLEN FAST FACTS:

   

• Posted a second-place finish at Elkhart Lake in 2015 XFINITY Series race.
• This is his first start ever at Watkins Glen.
• Marvin Panch won there in 1965.
• Has 24 starts, four top-five and seven top-10 finishes as Watkins Glen.
• Last ran at the Glen in 2008 with Marcos Ambrose behind the wheel and finished third.CREW CHIEF JEREMY BULLINS’ FAN GUIDE TO CHEEZE-IT 355 AT THE GLEN:

   

  “This will be one of the more interesting road course weekends in recent history. With Watkins Glen being repaved this year, expect to see the typical trend of less tire falloff than you see at other repaves. I expect to see teams being even more aggressive with strategy knowing that passing may be at a premium and fresher tires may not be an advantage near the end of the race. These events always see a reverse pit sequence, where teams begin to pit when they know they will have enough fuel to make it to the end of the race. You have more freedom to make those calls when you’re not concerned with tires being a handling concern at the end of the runs. I also expect to see more teams struggle with brake usage as the speeds will be higher due to the repave and require more brake usage.”

   

   

  WEEKEND TV SCHEDULE:

   

  Friday       August 5, 12:30 a.m. – Practice on NBCSN

  August 5, 3 p.m. – Practice on NBCSN

   Saturday   August 6, 12:15 p.m. – Qualifying on CNBC

  Sunday     August 7, 2:30 p.m. – Cheez-It 355 at the Glen on USA Network