NASCAR Cup drivers taking on road course at Watkins Glen

WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. (AP) — The NASCAR Cup Series is ready to go racing at Watkins Glen International.

Defending race winner Chase Elliott of Hendrick Motorsports starts from the pole Sunday on the 2.45-mile road course in New York’s Finger Lakes region.

Martin Truex Jr., who starts fourth for Joe Gibbs Racing in the 90-lap race, is chasing a sweep of the two traditional road races on the schedule. He won at Sonoma in June for the second straight time and finished runner-up to Elliott a year ago at The Glen, where he also has a victory.

Like Sonoma, Watkins Glen can be unpredictable. The Glen hasn’t had a repeat winner in more than a decade. Marcos Ambrose was the last in 2011-12.

The cars were inspected Sunday morning and all passed, but Ryan Blaney will start from the back of the field after his crew made unapproved adjustments to the No. 12 Penske Racing Ford. Blaney qualified 19th on Saturday.