Track “Facts”: Watkins Glen


Nascar races on all sorts of tracks, from short to long, oval to road course, concrete to asphalt.  Here’s a weekly look at all the tracks of Nascar’s National Touring Series.


WATKINS GLEN INTERNATIONAL


2.45 mile asphalt road course


Opened 1956


Lights?  No


Series: Cup, Xfinity


Nicknames: The Glen, New York’s Thunder Road, America’s Bus Tipping Center


THREE FUN FACTS:

1. Watkins Glen hosted Formula 1’s United States Grand Prix from 1961-1980, at which point they left the track, suffering from a lack of investment and crumbling facilities, for the glittering luxury of downtown Detroit.


2. Nascar has never raced on the full-length Watkins Glen circuit (which would include “The Boot”), but there have been requests for the Cup Series to try it, mostly because some fans have way too much time on their hands.


3. This track is seen as vital to the sport’s marketing aims, given its proximity to New York City.  In this case “proximity” means “a four hour and thirty minute drive”.




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Does this track have lights?


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