NASCAR TRACKS

Watkins Glen International

Watkins Glen, NY
Watkins Glen International  Layout
Location:
Watkins Glen, NY
Founded:
1956
Spectator Capacity:
38,000
Surface:
Asphalt
Length:
2.45 mi
Turns:
8
Major Events:
Go Bowling at the Glen

TRACK BIOGRAPHY

The Watkins Glen area has a long history of racing. In 1948, a student at nearby Cornell University proposed an amateur road race and a 6.6-mile circuit in the streets of the town was laid out. That October, the first race was held.

After using the streets of the town for a few years, the race was moved to a new location and a permanent circuit was built for racing. This layout was 2.3 miles and the course was used up until 1970. The first major overhaul began in 1971, which added a new pit road and straightaway on the track. The track also added “the boot” section when Formula One came to the track that year. This section is still used by many sports car racing series, such as IMSA.

NASCAR first came to Upstate New York in 1986, utilizing the 2.45-mile “short course” with a chicane, often referred to as the “bus stop,” on the backstretch. In 2024, the Cup Series race moved into the playoffs for the first time with Chris Buescher prevailing over Shane van Gisbergen in a dramatic finish.

The Cup Series, Xfinity Series and Craftsman Truck Series will all visit Watkins Glen in August 2025.

TRACK PHOTOS

WATKINS GLEN, NEW YORK - AUGUST 03: Brad Keselowski, driver of the #2 Autotrader Ford, practices for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Go Bowling at The Glen at Watkins Glen International on August 03, 2019 in Watkins Glen, New York. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) | Getty Images
WATKINS GLEN, NEW YORK - AUGUST 04: Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 M&M's Hazelnut Toyota, leads a pack of cars during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Go Bowling at The Glen at Watkins Glen International on August 04, 2019 in Watkins Glen, New York. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) | Getty Images
WATKINS GLEN, NEW YORK - AUGUST 04: <>during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Go Bowling at The Glen at Watkins Glen International on August 04, 2019 in Watkins Glen, New York. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) | Getty Images
WATKINS GLEN, NEW YORK - AUGUST 04: Chase Elliott, driver of the #9 NAPA AUTO PARTS Chevrolet, takes the green flag to start the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Go Bowling at The Glen at Watkins Glen International on August 04, 2019 in Watkins Glen, New York. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images) | Getty Images