IndyCar Series Returning To Watkins Glen
Story By: MARK ROBINSON / INDYcar SERIES MEDIA Photos By:INDYcar SERIES PHOTO STAFF
INDIANAPOLIS IND.-May 13, 2016- INDYCAR announced Friday that the Verizon IndyCar Series will return to Watkins Glen Int’l for an event on Sept. 1-4.
The Labor Day weekend event will also feature the Indy Lights and serve as the 15th event on the 16-race schedule. Watkins Glen takes the place of the planned Boston street race, which was recently. canceled
“It’s great to have the Verizon IndyCar Series return to Watkins Glen,” said Jay Frye, INDYCAR president of Competition and Operations. “A tremendous amount of thanks goes to track President Michael Printup and his entire staff for their efforts in helping make this a reality in such a short time frame. Obviously, Watkins Glen has great racing history and it’s a track that will showcase the on-track competition and overall excitement level of our series. Our season is off to a great start and we can’t wait to bring the Verizon IndyCar Series back to our fans at Watkins Glen.”
The 60-lap event will be held on the track’s 3.4-mile permanent road course.
“We’re excited to welcome INDYCAR back to The Glen,” said Watkins Glen Int’l President Michael Printup. “The fact that we could put this deal together so quickly shows how motivated each party was to make this happen for the fans and the competitors. I know our team has the capability to make this a premier event for INDYCAR, and I believe the drivers are really going to love the new asphalt and that translates into an exciting weekend for the fans. It’s truly a win-win for everyone.”
Watkins Glen Int’l has hosted nine past Indy car races, from 1979-81 and again from 2005-10. The first two events were run on the 2.4-mile short course and were both won by Bobby Unser. The race moved to the 3.4-mile long course in 1981 when another Indy car legend, Rick Mears, drove to victory.
“We’d also like to thank Governor Andrew Cuomo for his support and diligence in bringing this international event back to Watkins Glen Int’l,” Printup continued. “Tourism in the Finger Lakes Region and across New York State will benefit from this exciting addition to our 2016 schedule.””
The Verizon IndyCar Series returned to the historic circuit in 2005, with Scott Dixon winning three straight years before Ryan Hunter-Reay won in 2008 for Rahal Letterman Racing, Justin Wilson secured the first-ever Indy car win for Dale Coyne Racing in 2009 and Will Power took the checkered flag for Team Penske in 2010.
