The NASCAR Nextel Cup Series stays in the northeast this weekend with a trip to Watkins Glen International, an historic road course that is the second and final road race for the 2007 season. Watkins Glen is a road course with two main configurations, a 3.4-mile course for open-wheel competition and the 2.45-mile configuration that the Cup drivers will navigate this weekend in the Centurion Boats at The Glen race.
Watkins Glen International has a proud history that dates back as old as NASCAR itself. The track is more than 50 years old and has seen its share of legendary drivers attempt to tame its many challenging sections. The track opened on October 2, 1948 to host the first post-World War II road race in the U.S. From there many racing series would visit the famed track throughout the years. Watkins Glen hosted their first NASCAR-sanctioned event in 1957, with international competition soon to follow. The track has hosted events over the years from series such as NASCAR, Formula One, Can-Am, Trans-Am, SCCA, Formula 5000, CART and IRL.
One of the facility's major components that has been a fixture at the track almost since the first day of operation was The Glen Club, a VIP experience for fans. The Glen Club saw many improvements and renovations over the years, as well as a few name changes. But it was always a place where fans could find an upscale race experience. The building, located in the famed Esses section of the course, was unfortunately lost to an unexplained fire back in March of this year and will not be available to fans at the Cup race this weekend. The track continues to work on an alternative for fans to experience the race as they had before but has no current plans to replace the building at its original location.
Another difference that fans might notice at the road course this weekend is the racing surface itself. As part of a capital improvement project, the track removed the concrete sections in turn one and turn five and replaced them with new asphalt. The repaving project was completed to address issues with water and drainage along the concrete sections of the race track. There was also new competition curbing added in several turns to replace some old
broken sections.
In addition to the unique racing action that only road racing brings, fans can also experience many of the things that are unique to the Finger Lakes Region of New York. The region is proud of its cuisine, as well as its craft beers and wines. New York wines consistently receive rave reviews and rival many of their Napa Valley competitors from the west coast. Fans can visit websites such as www.iloveny.com or www.nycvisit.com to learn of new ways to supplement their race experience in Watkins Glen, NY.
Watkins Glen International Quick Facts
- Watkins Glen Lap Record: Jeff Gordon (70.798 seconds and 124.580 mph), August 8, 2003
- Watkins Glen Race Record: Mark Martin (2 hrs., 11 min., 54 sec/103.300 mph), August 13, 1995
- 2006 Nextel Cup Winner: Kevin Harvick
- Total Purse: $4,800,931
