Race Report: Go Bowling at the Glen (August 10th, 2025)

The last time I was able to attend a Nascar race at Watkins Glen, NY was in 2012. It seemed like it was time to revisit my favorite road course. The emergence of both Shane van Gisbergen and Connor Zilisch has injected new meaning to road course racing, and the idea of seeing them race in person was enough to spur a 10 hour drive to NY. Read on for a full weekend recap.

---

Introduction:
Like many other storied tracks on the Nascar circuit, Watkins Glen has a rich history. Both the race course and the town it is named after have hosted events attracting the best racing drivers in the world since just after World War 2. From 1948 to 1952, a course that utilized the main portion of Franklin Street, the town's main thoroughfare, and the surrounding hills of Schuyler County created a daring and exciting cross country challenge to early racers. In 1952, an accident claiming the life of a spectator and injuring several others motivated officials to move the race to a nearby hill paving the way for the creation of the course used today. 

From 1960-1980, Watkins Glen was home to the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix and with that notoriety, it attracted several of major racing series over the years. The track's current Nascar configuration follows what's called the Short Course which eliminates the portion of the Long Course called 'The Boot.'

I took in all three races this past weekend from a variety of locations. The main grandstand is likely the bast place to be in order to keep track of all of the details of the race, and to witness the winner of the race, and victory lane. But there are some truly epic scenes to take in on race day at The Glenn, and I'm looking forward to sharing that experience here. 

There are a variety of ways to approach Watkins Glenn, on this particular occasion, I came to the property from the south, through the campsites. Unlike most tracks, the Fan Zone is located in the infield of the race track, therefore, parking in Lot 4, closest to the main grandstand and the pedestrian bridge made the most sense. 

---

Fan Zone:
In reference to the map below, you can see where the Fan Zone at Watkins Glenn is located. Like other tracks, this area has multiple product displays and fan engagement areas. You can also find the famous merchandise haulers that carry souvenirs from your favorite drivers and teams. These trailers also provide a space for fans to meet and greet drivers.

I was really impressed at the quality of displays in the Fan Zone as well as the quantity of displays. There were many drivers who made appliances, and the staff at each engagement point was superb. 

This Fan Zone certainly ranks higher in my book than most others. The placing of the various booths, trailers, and stages are done really effectively. Placing the Fan Zone on the inside of the race track makes it less accessible to fans that don't have a race ticket, but on the other hand, it enhances the experience. Throughout the weekend you can shop and explore all the Fan Zone has to offer all while being able to listen to and watch the cars race along the track all around you.

---

Racing Views:
The scenes around the track all weekend long were truly something special. every hill, every turn, every straight offered a surreal and unforgettable experience.

---

Conclusion:
I can think of very few experiences that have been as much fun as a weekend at Watkins Glen. My advice to anyone considering a trip is to book well in advance, and to plan to be at the track all weekend. There's too much going on to take in all in one day, and the amount of things to do both at the track and in the surrounding areas is extensive. I'm hoping to break down the events of the day in a more detailed post in the future, but that's a wrap for this race report for now. 

---

Sources:
-Nascar.com
-racing-reference.info
-theglen.com