For the first time in what feels like forever, we have NASCAR Cup Series racing again this weekend. The two-week break ends on Sunday when the drivers take to the Watkins Glen International road course for the Go Bowling at The Glen. In more good news, we have no more weeks off until after the end of the 2021 season. Sunday’s race will start the final four-week push for the playoffs, so we will see drivers get aggressive to try and earn a spot.
Watkins Glen International Overview
The Upstate New York road course known as Watkins Glen International opened in 1956 to get racers off of the dangerous roadways. The 3.4-mile track is actually shortened to 2.45 miles in length for NASCAR competition as they don’t run the boot. Watkins Glen International has hosted the NASCAR Cup Series since the very beginning. In 1957 NASCAR made its debut, but besides two races in the ’60s, they did not continue to race at the track until 1985. Every year since then, with the exception of last year’s cancellation, NASCAR has held a race weekend at The Glen.
One thing that has held true since NASCAR’s return is that this race has always been during the month of August. Unfortunately, the 1991 edition of the race was overshadowed by tragedy. J.D. McDuffie lost his life in a Lap 5 crash. To this day, this has been the only NASCAR death to ever occur at Watkins Glen International.
Open Wheel History at Watkins Glen International
Watkins Glen has also hosted both F1 and IndyCar Series races. The United States Grand Prix was hosted at the track from 1961-1980 but left when The Glen didn’t pay their debts to the teams. IndyCar hosted 11 races during their stint running in Upstate New York. They stopped going to the track in 2017 after problems with attendance.
NASCAR Cup Series at Watkins Glen International | Weekend Racing Schedule
United Rentals 176
Series: NASCAR Camping World Truck Series
Date: Saturday, August 7, 2021
Start Time: 12:30 P.M. EST
Coverage: FS1
Distance: 176 miles
Laps: 72
Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey 200
Series: NASCAR Xfinity Series
Date: Saturday, August 7, 2021
Start Time: 4 P.M. EST
Coverage: CNBC
Distance: 201 miles
Laps: 82
Go Bowling at the Glen
Series: NASCAR Cup Series
Date: Sunday, August 8, 2021
Start Time: 2:30 P.M. EST
Coverage: NBCSN
Distance: 221 miles
Laps: 90
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