The NASCAR Monster Energy Cup Series had an exciting Sunday afternoon at Watkins Glen International. Chase Elliott won his first-ever Cup race last year when he outlasted Martin Truex Jr in the closing laps of the race. This Sunday was another example of how challenging and exciting road course racing is at Watkins Glen.

Chase Elliott won the pole on Saturday night that gave him an advantage coming to the green flag on Sunday. As he raced out of the gates into a comfortable lead, other drivers struggled to navigate the winding course. Kyle Busch spun out on the second lap as he was looking to pass William Byron for second place. No caution would come and Busch was fortunate enough to drop back to tenth place. Chase Elliott continued to set the pace that could not be matched in the early stage of the race. He would go on to win stage one.

Kyle Larson opted not to pit under the stage break and led the field back to the restart. He was able to hold his position and lead some laps. Nine laps into the stage, he had to come down pit road under green, and Chase Elliott reclaimed the top spot. Shortly after, a caution came out when Reed Sorenson had an issue with smoke billowing from his car. Later, Bubba Wallace brought out another caution with two laps left in the stage. He spun out working his way around the carousel turn. Chase Elliott won stage two under caution.

Chase Elliott continued to pave the way into stage three with Martin Truex Jr. within striking distance. The field had to split the stage in half and began to cycle down pit road. Elliott was the first to come down pit road between him and Truex Jr. Truex Jr. came down pit road on the following lap, and Elliott was able to cycle back into the lead. Shortly after these stops, Jimmie Johnson spun out in the carousel turn, and at the same time, Bubba Wallace wrecked Kyle Busch on the front stretch. On the following restart, Truex Jr. and Elliott wrestled each other hard for the lead racing through ‘The Esses.’ Neither driver giving an inch, but Elliott was able to move in front of Truex Jr. when both drivers cruised through the interloop. It was another close battle the rest of the way, but Truex Jr. could not get close enough to attempt a pass on Elliott. Chase Elliott survives another battle win his second race of the year at Watkins Glen International,

It was the same exact finish as it was last year. Chase Elliott had to be perfect and drove flawlessly in the final stage of the race. A mistake could have cost him the race and Martin Truex Jr. did everything he could trying to pressure Elliott to make a mistake. The final pit stop halfway through the final stage also set them apart when Elliott’s team had no mistakes on pit road. This allowed Elliott to cycle back into the lead. Regardless of execution on pit road, Truex Jr. did all he could to make a pass on Elliott, but it was not enough. The two put on a great show, and the closing laps had fans sitting on the edge of their seats for the fantastic finish.

Next week’s race will be held at Michigan International Speedway for the Consumers Energy 400. There are only four races left before the playoffs begin, and each race is held at a unique race track. After next week, the series will return to Bristol Motor Speedway for short-track racing. The final two races of the season will be held at Darlington Raceway and Indianapolis Motor Speedway. All four of these tracks are uniquely different and will give opportunities to race teams to take advantage of the situation. There are a lot of drivers on the bubble, and it will only get more intense going forward.