Kevin Harvick predicted his winner for Watkins Glen, which should afford viewers a look at a brewing rivalry in the sport.
Going into the weekend at Watkins Glen, all eyes are on two drivers. Shane van Gisbergen and Connor Zilisch.
The two have created quite the rivalry in the last year or two, particularly when it comes to road courses. So who is Kevin Harvick picking to win this weekend? He teased his co-hosts on the Kevin Harvick’s Happy Hour podcast.
“I don’t think so…” Harvick said, asked if he was picking van Gisbergen. “I’m just kidding. Yeah, well, I like (the SVG pick).”
That Harvick is picking van Gisbergen to win should come as little surprise. SVG has been absolutely dominant on road courses this season. He has won at Sonoma, Chicago and Mexico City.
As if to add a little extra spice to the rivalry this weekend, one of Harvick’s co-hosts picked the other half of the rivalry. Mamba Smith is taking Connor Zilisch to win.
“You know what, I know who you’re going to pick and I’m going to go against it. The archrival,” Smith said. “The kid. Give me Connor freaking Zilisch, because why not. I think that the other road course races he’s had in the Cup Series, I think it was really COTA, he’s got a lot of experience at this place. I think he’s going to be impressive. It’s going to be a show.”
The final pick for Watkins Glen from the podcast? That belonged to Kaitlyn Vincie.
“I already kind of said, I pick Ty Gibbs,” she said. “I think this could be a good shot for him. He’s good on the road courses.”
Connor Zilisch attempting sweep at Watkins Glen
This weekend at Watkins Glen is going to be a lot of fun. Not only do we have Connor Zilisch, perhaps the most talented road course racer in the sport, racing three times, but he is going to have to earn it the hard way.
Everyone knows that he’s up against the best of the best in the Cup Series. Goes without saying. When you think of the top drivers going into the weekend for The Glen, SVG, Chris Buescher, and Michael McDowell likely pop up in your mind.
Well, get this. Zilisch will have to race against those three drivers multiple times. SVG will be in the Xfinity Series race again and is looking to take the edge in their friendly back-and-forth. Zilisch beat him straight up at Sonoma after SVG used the door to beat Zilisch at Chicago. But McDowell will also be in the Xfinity race. He’s in the No. 11 for Kaulig Racing.
Then you go to the Truck Series. Buescher is making his series debut. Corey Heim has won the last three road course races in the series. Oh, and another talented teen, Brent Crews, is suiting up for his very own team in the 70 truck. Crews has won a Trans Am race at Watkins Glen in the past.
Connor Zilisch is going to face a gauntlet at Watkins Glen. It is going to be so exciting to watch him do what he does best.
On3’s Jonathan Howard also contributed to this report.
Category: General Sports
