Which drivers have the best shot at winning NASCAR's Sprint Cup race on Sunday? Here are the top 10, ranked according to best average finish, that will participate in the Finger Lakes 355 at Watkins Glen International this weekend.

Note: Three of NASCAR's best road specialists — Mark Martin and AJ Allmendinger, each with an average finish of ninth at the Glen, and Robby Gordon (14.2) — are missing in action for a variety of reasons. Martin elected to take the weekend off, Allmendinger remains suspended and Gordon is running a limited schedule because of financial restrictions.

Ambrose has a remarkable average finish of 2.2 — by far the best Watkins Glen performance of any driver on the tour. Ambrose enjoyed his first career Sprint Cup win here last year. In four starts, he’s never finished worse than third and has led 38 of 362 laps.

With five career victories, Stewart leads the tour for most wins at the Glen. Since his first start in 1999, not only has the three-time Cup champion “Smoked” the competition in qualifying with a series high average of 6.2, he’s completed every circuit in competition. In 13 starts, he’s posted seven top fives, 10 top 10s and an average finish of 7.1. Of the 1,174 circuits that Stewart has completed on the 2.45-mile track, he’s led 225.

Edwards will drive double duty this weekend at Watkins Glen. From Edwards debut here in the Cup series — when he admits he backed the car into the wall — the driver has continued to improve his game on the road course with one pole (2010) three top fives, five top 10s and an average finish of 8.7.

Kyle Busch was a slow starter at the Glen. He finished 33rd in his debut but in his next six starts went on a tear with an average finish of 5.3. Rowdy’s highlights include a win from the pole in 2008 and leading 116 of 634 laps raced. His average start of 8.1 is third best on the Cup tour and actually stronger than his average finish of 9.3.

Special K has worked diligently to improve his road-course prowess. Keselowski wrecked in his first Sonoma start and finished 35th. His result at the Glen improved to 20th later that season. But in his last three starts when he’s needed to turn both left — and right — Keselowski hasn’t finished worse than 12th. His best showing of second came at the Glen last season where he qualified 12th, led two laps and finished second to improve his average to 11th.

Montoya says his goal “is to win” this weekend with a worst-case scenario being “a top five.” Given Montoya’s Formula One background, his average finish of 11.4 is not surprising. Two years ago, he dominated the race by leading 74 of 90 laps to his first win at the Glen. However, Montoya has to learn to balance his aggression against the competition because payback is rough.

Harvick is one of just six victors on the seven-turn, 2.45-mile course. Twenty-eight of his 29 career laps led in Sprint Cup competition came in Harvick’s 2006 victory. But Happy has lacked to consistency in his 11 Watkins Glen Cup starts, with two finishes of 35th or worst lowering his average finish to 12.9.

Watkins Glen is one of just five tracks on the Sprint Cup tour where Five-Time has yet to be victorious. And with two poles, his qualifying average of 6.5 is second only to Tony Stewart. Still, Johnson’s average finish of 14.2 at the Glen has been mired by an engine failure in 2004 and a rollercoaster ride of results from 40th to third. Johnson has just three top fives in 10 starts and has led a total of just 11 circuits at WGI — his lowest figure at any track.

As Truex has matured, so have his abilities on road courses. His average finish of 14.3 at the Glen is not truly indicative of his potential as he has three finishes of sixth or better. Knock out his debut here and the lone race with Earnhardt Ganassi Racing and Truex would have an average finish of 7.5. No, Truex hasn’t led any laps at the Glen, but he’s completed all possible laps raced and that speaks to his consistency.

Only Tony Stewart has more wins than Jeff Gordon (four) among current drivers at the Glen. But it’s been 11 years since Gordon’s last victory on the 2.45-mile track — and the last time he posted a top-five finish. Still, his qualifying average of 9.2 is one of the best on the circuit and his average finish of 14.5 is still respectable. However, for Gordon to lock himself into the second wild-card spot, a win on Sunday would go on long way toward improving his chances for the Chase.