WGI NASCAR-F1 History FINAL

THE HISTORY OF FORMULA 1 AND NASCAR AT WATKINS GLEN INTERNATIONAL Cameron Argetsinger’s dream of bringing European style competition to the village of Watkins Glen, NY became a reality on October 2, 1948 in the form of a racecourse running around, and through, the town of Watkins Glen. In 1956, a permanent 2.3-mile circuit designed by Bill Milliken and his associates was completed and, two years later, Watkins Glen would host its first international competition with the running of a Formula Libra race. On August 28, 1961, Watkins Glen was awarded its first Formula 1 event with the green flag scheduled to fall on the United States Grand Prix just 39 days later. After intense preparations, Innes Ireland of Team Lotus took the checkered flag ahead of a field that featured legendary names like Jim Clark, Graham Hill, Dan Gurney, Bruce McLaren and Roger Penske. With the stop in upstate New York now a fixture, champions Hill and Clark dominate the annual event, each winning three races during a six year stretch ending with Clarks third win in 1967. The 1970s brought much change for The Glen with the undertaking of a $3.4 million major capital improvement project that included addition of “The Boot” which extended the full course to 3.37 miles, adding the famed blue rail, and relocating the start/finish line and pit area to their present locations. James Hunt emerged the victor of both the 1976 and 1977 U.S. Grand Prix, races that were tightly contested as opposed to the three previous U.S. Grand Prix which featured green-to-checkered winners. Alan Jones’ 1980 U.S. Grand Prix victory marked the end of an era that saw legendary names like Jackie Stewart, Niki Lauda, Gilles Villenueve and Emerson Fittipaldi add their names to Watkins Glen lore. The 20th Annual running would be the final Formula 1 event at The Glen with the track closing due to bankruptcy following a CART Indy Car Series race at the end of 1981. Undoubtedly a dark era, the track fell into disrepair, hosting a few non-spectator events prior to Corning Enterprises purchasing the track in 1983. Corning joined into a partnership with International Speedway Corporation and together the two corporations formed Watkins Glen International (WGI). Two-years after WGI was established, Bill France, Jr. announced the “Budweiser at The Glen” NASCAR event to a full media contingency at The Glen Club on October 16, 1985. NASCAR has previously attempted to add The Glen to the annual schedule, but it wasn’t until 1985 that the track became a permanent fixture. In 1985, Tim Richmond took the lead for good with 12 laps remaining to win the inaugural Bud at The Glen, a race that saw the lead change hands 10 times between five drivers. Darrell Waltrip finished second and Dale Earnhardt passed Bill Elliott for third-place on the final lap. Rusty Wallace and Ricky Rudd dominated the late 1980s as the duo split four races between the 1987 and 1990 seasons, including a dramatic last-lap victory by Wallace in 1988. Mark Martin emerged as the dominate figure of the mid-1990s on a track that saw a major reconfiguration to the back straightaway. The Inner Loop was added, increasing the length of the long course to 3.4 miles and the short course to 2.45 miles. It was on the new track that Martin won the Bud at The Glen from 1993 to 1995 before Chemung County (NY) native Geoff Bodine won the 1996 Bud at the Glen, securing what would be his final victory in a stock car. International Speedway Corporation became the sole owner in 1997 in time for Watkins Glen International to celebrate the 50th anniversary of road racing during the 1998 season. From 1997 to 1999, Jeff Gordon matched Mark Martin’s feat of winning three-consecutive Cup races at The Glen becoming become the first-ever driver to win a premier WGI event four times. The reigns of domination once again changed hands as Tony Stewart took the 2002 checkered flag en route to his first Cup Series title. He would go on to win four of the next eight Sprint Cup Series races (2004, 2005, 2007, and 2009) at WGI. Stewart’s win in the 2009 Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips at The Glen, the fifth Glen victory his career, moved him past Jeff Gordon for the most career Cup victories at Watkins Glen International. ### .

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