INDYCAR has confirmed the return of the Verizon IndyCar Series to Watkins Glen International in the Labor Day weekend, with the race scheduled on Sunday, September 4.
Following the announcement of the cancellation of the Grand Prix of Boston, INDYCAR had to find an alternative venue for the penultimate round of the series. With Watkins Glen in Upstate New York, the race remains in Northeast United States. In addition to a previously scheduled Ferrari event at Watkins Glen, the Verizon IndyCar Series will be accompanied by Indy Lights presented by Cooper Tires which was also scheduled to race at Boston.
Watkins Glen International will be the third traditional venue alongside Phoenix International Raceway and Road America returning to the Verizon IndyCar Series this season. Like the other International Speedway Corporation track Phoenix in early April, Watkins Glen will have to deal with a short time for promoting the event. Tickets for the event will be available from next week.
Jay Frye, INDYCAR president of competition and operations, stated on returning to Watkins Glen on such a short notice: “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.” Printup stated about the short timeframe of the negotiations: “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.”
Frye also stated: “It certainly was great interest on his behalf, great interest on our behalf. We were thinking more about 2017, but obviously we’re a year ahead.” The agreement is only for this year’s race but the WGI President Printup stated about future races: “The goal is for Jay and I and Stephen to continue these conversations” and added: “Let’s watch the success, let’s earn it. We know we both have to earn that all the way through.”
Printup also thanked the New York Governor Andrew Cuomo for his support in bringing the event to Watkins Glen and stated “Tourism in the Finger Lakes Region and across New York State will benefit from this exciting addition to our 2016 schedule.”
The history of Indy car racing at Watkins Glen dates back to 1979 when the venue hosted CART for the first time. The open-wheel racing heritage at the Glen dates back even further as the United States Grand Prix of Formula One was held there for 20 times since 1961. Following the departure of F1 after 1980, the 1981 CART race used for the first time the full course with the Boot section. However, Indy car racing didn’t return to the track before 2005 when the IRL IndyCar Series added road courses to its schedule. The series didn’t return to the venue after 2010 but this September will see the 10th American open-wheel race at the Glen.