The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series travels to Watkins Glen, New York, this week for the Cheez-It 355 at The Glen.

Watkins Glen is the easier of the two road courses. The turns are not as tight as they are at Sonoma, and the course has much more speed. The two things that teams must overcome this week are wheel hop and issues with their brakes. Teams that can control the balance of their cars will run up front.

The race at Watkins Glen last year was filled with wrecks. Big names like Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Matt Kenseth and Kasey Kahn all wrecked. Kyle Busch outraced Break Keslowski to the checkered flag.

The Sprint Cup Series raced at Sonoma seven weeks ago, but you shouldn’t focus on the drivers who ran well at the road course in California. The tracks are different and require a different skill set to get to Victory Lane. Last year, only four drivers finished in the top 10 at both races (Martin Truex Jr., Carl Edwards, Kurt Busch and Jimmie Johnson).

Here are my picks for the Cheez-It 355 at Watkins Glen.

The Winner: Kyle Busch (7 to 1)

Busch is the defending winner of this weekend's race, and he is a two-time winner at Watkins Glen overall. Perhaps more importantly, he has been one of the most consistent performers at the road course throughout his career. Busch has cracked the top 10 in his last eight starts at The Glen, posting a 5.0 average finish during the stretch. Busch also leads all drivers in laps led and ranks third in fastest laps run at the road course since he joined the Cup Series.

Don’t Overlook: Marcos Ambrose (5 to 1)

A road-course ace, Ambrose has been especially good at Watkins Glen over the years. In his six previous starts, the driver has five top-five finishes and has two wins in the last three races at Watkins Glen.
It's now or never for Marcos Ambrose if he wants to make it in the chase. With so much on the line for Ambrose, it would be a mistake not to pick him this week.

Stay Away: Kasey Kahne (30 to 1)

Kahne has had some strong runs at Sonoma but the success has yet to translate to Watkins Glen. He has a 20.0 average finish in 10 career starts at the track, and he has never finished in the Top 10.

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