NASCAR at The Glen 2013: Start Time, Lineup, TV Schedule and More

Marcos Ambrose has won the past two runnings of the Cheez-It 355 at the Glen, and he's one to watch again this year. Perhaps he's even more of a threat with one of his major competitors on the shelf with an injury.

According to David Newton of ESPN, five-time winner Tony Stewart is out indefinitely after breaking his leg in a sprint car crash in Iowa. Max Papis has been named as a replacement, per a release on Stewart-Haas Racing's Facebook page. This unfortunate development has opened up the field for other contenders and has possibly cleared the way for Ambrose to three-peat.

Here's how you can watch the action:

Ambrose did nothing to hurt his status as favorite in the qualifying run. He captured the pole position with a speed of 128.241 mph. It was a track record at legendary Watkins Glen International. Clint Bowyer was second with a speed of 127.958 mph.

Here's a look at the lineup for Sunday's race:

Weather

Per Weather.com, it should be a beautiful day for racing—at least for the fans. A high of 78 degrees could make it a little warm in the cockpit for the drivers, but overall, it shouldn't be too much of a factor.

There is only a 10 percent chance of rain in Watkins Glen, N.Y., so all involved should stay dry.

NASCAR Standings

With just five races remaining before the Chase begins, drivers who are on the bubble are scratching and clawing for strong showings to qualify for NASCAR's second season.

Here's a look at the current Sprint Cup standings.

(The top 10 qualify for the race and two wild cards will qualify based on total wins and points. Two current wild-card holders are highlighted.)

Favorite

Ambrose Good Bet for the Three-Peat

While it would be nice to go out on a limb and pick a driver like Dale Earnhardt Jr. to capture his first win of the season, all signs point to Ambrose winning his third straight Cheez-It 355.

Ambrose has an average finishing position of 2.0 in his career at WGI. His record-setting run in qualifying proves his vehicle is in optimal condition. 

Stewart's absence drastically weakens the field as well. Sprint Cup points leader Jimmie Johnson is present, but he has never won at WGI in his career. Jeff Gordon has won the race four times but not since 2001, when his heyday was nearing an end.

This seems like Ambrose's race to lose.

Sleeper

Juan Pablo Montoya Is Ambrose's Biggest Threat

Although Montoya only had the 12th-fastest time in qualifying and he's on the outside looking in on the race to join the Chase, he has had success at WGI. He was the last driver to win the race before Ambrose began his current run.

Montoya captured the checkered flag in 2010, and he may be the only man capable of stopping Ambrose on Sunday.

JPM desperately needs to make something happen over the next month if he wants to advance to the Chase. He hasn't won a race this season, and he's 108 points behind Martin Truex Jr., the driver who would get the final wild-card spot.

WGI could provide the spark Montoya needs to make his move. 

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