Watkins Glen International
The Glen: Where stock cars conquer the twisting road course of Watkins Glen since 1986.
Stock car racing events in the NASCAR Cup Series have taken place annually at Watkins Glen International in Watkins Glen, New York on the 2.45-mile (3.943 km) short course since 1992. While three earlier races occurred in 1957, 1964, and 1965 using a 2.35-mile original configuration, the modern era began with the 2.428-mile short course from 1986 to 1991, before the current 2.45-mile layout with the Inner Loop was introduced in 1992. Since 2018, this event has been known as Go Bowling at The Glen for sponsorship reasons, featuring a 90-lap, 220.5-mile (354.9 km) distance (the 100-lap distance was used from 2018 to 2022). William Byron currently holds the title of defending race winner.
- Defending Winner
- William Byron
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
The history at Watkins Glen involves significant layout changes driven by safety and performance. Following the 1991 death of J. D. McDuffie in a crash in the Outer Loop and a serious incident involving IMSA driver Tommy Kendall in 1992, NASCAR added an Inner Loop 'bus stop' chicane for the 1992 race. Since then, the series has utilized this 2.45-mile short course and never employed the full 'Boot' configuration used by IndyCar and Formula One, despite some drivers proposing its use. In a notable 2011 Mobil Oil 'Car Swap,' Tony Stewart drove demonstration laps in his Chevrolet Impala and a McLaren MP4-23 alongside Lewis Hamilton, but this was a promotional event, not a serious proposal to change the track layout.
In Their Own Story
The broadcast history of the race reflects shifting networks and unique production styles. ESPN covered the event from 1986 to 2000, returning for runs between 2007 and 2014. Starting in 2015, NBC secured rights, airing the 2015 edition on NBCSN, while the 2016 race moved to USA Network due to the Summer Olympics on NBC. Beginning in 2017, NBC adopted a radio-style format where analysts reported from specific track sections, a method used through 2024 except for 2025. The 2024 running was moved to September as the second race of the Round of 16, but in 2025, the event returned to its typical August date before moving to mid-May in 2026.
Reader's Guide
Scheduling at Watkins Glen has seen dramatic shifts due to external factors and playoff positioning. The 2020 race was canceled and moved to the Daytona International Speedway road course because New York State required travelers from North Carolina and Florida to isolate for 14 days without a quarantine waiver, resulting in the Go Bowling 235 instead. On December 3, 2025, NASCAR released a schedule extending the race to 100 laps for the weekend. Looking ahead, it was announced on May 7 prior to the 2026 race that Watkins Glen would return to the Chase in 2027. Past weather interruptions include postponements from Sunday to Monday in 1987, 2009, and 2011 due to rain, a shortening in 1992, and overtime extensions in 2005, 2011, and 2024.
Did You Know?
- The current NASCAR Cup race utilizes a 2.45-mile short course and has never used the full 'Boot' configuration.
- In 1992, an Inner Loop chicane was added after J.D. McDuffie's fatal crash in 1991 and a serious incident involving Tommy Kendall in 1992.
- Tony Stewart's 2011 car swap with Lewis Hamilton was a promotional event, not a serious proposal to use the Grand Prix course.
- The 2020 race was moved to the Daytona Road Course because New York State's COVID-19 quarantine restrictions required a 14-day isolation for travelers from states with high infection rates, including North Carolina and F
- NBC has broadcast the race since 2015, except for a 2016 airing on USA Network due to the Summer Olympics.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Watkins Glen International?
A permanent road course located in New York that has hosted NASCAR Cup Series races annually since 1986. While stock cars competed there briefly in the late 1950s and mid-1960s, the current modern era uses a shortened layout.
How long is the race distance?
The event covers exactly 100 laps around the track to reach a total of 245.54 miles. This specific configuration has been maintained consistently throughout the modern scheduling period.
What is the current sponsorship name?
Since 2018, the annual competition has been officially titled Go Bowling at The Glen for marketing purposes. Despite the corporate naming rights, enthusiasts frequently refer to it simply as The Glen.
Who holds the defending winner title?
Shane van Gisbergen currently stands as the defending champion of this specific road course event. He secured his victory during the most recent completed season on this New York circuit.
Why is this track significant for fans?
It remains a unique fixture in NASCAR because it challenges drivers with a twisting road layout instead of an oval. Its long history connects current competitors to the sport's earlier racing eras from the mid-20th century.
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