Background

Watkins Glen International

Watkins Glen International (nicknamed "The Glen") is an automobile race track located in Watkins Glen, New York at the southern tip of Seneca Lake. It was long known around the world as the home of the Formula One United States Grand Prix, which it hosted for twenty consecutive years (1961–1980), but the site has been home to road racing of nearly every class, including the World Sportscar Championship, Trans-Am, Can-Am, NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, the International Motor Sports Association and the IndyCar Series.

Initially, public roads in the village were used for the race course. In 1956 a permanent circuit for the race was built. In 1968 the race was extended to six hours, becoming the 6 Hours of Watkins Glen. The circuit's current layout has more or less been the same since 1971, although a chicane was installed at the uphill Esses in 1975 to slow cars through these corners, where there was a fatality during practice at the 1973 United States Grand Prix. The chicane was removed in 1985, but another chicane called the "Inner Loop" was installed in 1992 after J.D. McDuffie's fatal accident during the previous year's NASCAR Winston Cup event.

The circuit is known as the Mecca of North American road racing and is a very popular venue among fans and drivers. The facility is currently owned by International Speedway Corporation.

First practice

Alex Bowman was the fastest in the first practice session with a time of 70.062 seconds and a speed of 125.888 mph (202.597 km/h).^[10]

Final practice

Chase Elliott was the fastest in the final practice session with a time of 69.503 seconds and a speed of 126.901 mph (204.227 km/h).^[11]

Qualifying results

Stage results

Stage One Laps: 20

Stage Two Laps: 20

Final stage results

Stage Three Laps: 50

Race statistics

• Lead changes: 5 among 4 different drivers
• Cautions/Laps: 4 for 13
• Red flags: 0
• Time of race: 2 hours, 14 minutes and 17 seconds
• Average speed: 98.523 miles per hour (158.557 km/h)

Television

NBC Sports covered the race on the television side. Rick Allen and Steve Letarte called from the regular booth for the race; Motor Racing Network broadcaster Mike Bagley called the race from the Esses, Dale Earnhardt Jr. had the call from Turn 5, and Jeff Burton called from Turns 6 & 7. Dave Burns, Marty Snider and Kelli Stavast covered from pit lane during the race.

Radio

Motor Racing Network had the radio call for the race, which was simulcast on Sirius XM NASCAR Radio. Alex Hayden, Jeff Striegle & 2 time Watkins Glen winner Rusty Wallace covered the action when the field raced down the front straightaway. Dave Moody called the race when the field raced thru the esses. Kurt Becker covered the action when the field raced thru the inner loop and turn 5 and Kyle Rickey covered the action in turn 10 & 11. Winston Kelley, Steve Post & Kim Coon called the action from the pits for MRN.