Kligerman’s win-that-wasn’t was a hugely popular one, with fans in both his corner and that of the injured Zilisch. Not only was Kligerman helping out a popular youngster, but as a driver, he’d been an underdog for most of his career. Everybody loves an underdog.

Kevin Owens is set to make an appearance that his fellow WWE star Rey Mysterio was previously scheduled for. At NASCAR’s Coke Zero Sugar 400 this Saturday night, Owens will serve as the grand marshal.

May is not only unknown ground for Watkins Glen, but for NASCAR as well, as venues in the Northern United States typically enter the schedule in as late as June.

But don’t mistake the possibility for a foregone conclusion that the field will be different in two weeks than it is right now. Historically, there’s about a 50-50 chance. The past tells us that there’s probably as much hype as substance to the buildup.