Watkins Glen news
- Mohegan Sun and WGI Renew Partnership
- McDonald’s Partnership Announcement
- 2007 Marks the 50th Anniversary of Professional Racing at The Glen
- Glen Club Update
- Capital Improvements Update
Mohegan Sun Renews Partnership As Official Casino: Mohegan Sun, located in Uncasville, Conn., has renewed their partnership with Watkins Glen International and will continue as the Official Casino at the Soul of American Road Racing. The Mohegan Sun provides the best in gaming and entertainment and has been an official partner of The Glen for the past four years.
Mohegan Sun, owned by the Mohegan Tribe, is one of the largest, most distinctive and spectacular entertainment, gaming, shopping and meeting destinations in the United States. Situated on 240 acres along the Thames River in scenic southeastern Connecticut, Mohegan Sun is within easy access of New York, Boston, Hartford and Providence and located 15 minutes from the museums, antique shops and waterfront of Mystic Places. What began with the Casino of the Earth in 1996 has evolved into a legendary destination that now includes: the Casino of the Sky and over 300,000 square feet of total gaming space; The Shops at Mohegan Sun, featuring more than 40 retail shops and dining venues ranging from food court-style to gourmet; the 10,000-seat Mohegan Sun Arena for world-class sporting events and concerts, and an intimate Cabaret; and a 34-story luxury hotel, featuring 1,200 guestrooms and suites, premier meeting and convention space and a world-class spa. More information is available by calling 1-888-226-7711 or visiting www.mohegansun.com.
McDonald’s Partnership Announcement: Watkins Glen International and McDonald’s Restaurants have agreed to a partnership that makes McDonald’s the Official Drive-Thru Restaurant of the historic road course. The world famous restaurant chain will also be the title sponsor for the McDonald’s Family Grandstand and McDonald’s Kids Zone.
Races fans will have a reason to stop by McDonald’s this coming summer other than their delicious food. The Glen’s popular Racing, Only Twisted Tour will make stops at various McDonald’s in Upstate New York leading up to the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series at The Glen, August 8-12. Fans will have the opportunity to grab a hamburger, challenge the twists and turns of The Glen in a racing simulator and then check out the Official WGI Pace Car and NASCAR Busch Series Show Car. The exact dates and locations will be announced at a later time.
50th Anniversary of Professional Racing at The Glen: Watkins Glen International is known for historic milestones and the legendary road course will celebrate another one this season. The 2007 season marks the 50th Anniversary of the first professional race to be held on the original 2.3-mile permanent road course.
The first professional race was a NASCAR Grand National Stock Car event won by Buck Baker over Fireball Roberts in 1957. This race also marked the debut of NASCAR at The Glen and seemed to foreshadow things to come as the NASCAR Winston Cup Series, now NEXTEL Cup, made its Glen debut 28 years later in 1986.
The first post-World War II road race in the United States was held on the streets in and around Watkins Glen, NY, on October 2, 1948. In 1953, auto racing moved from the streets of Watkins Glen to a temporary course while the permanent circuit was built. Construction was completed in 1956 and the first professional race took place the following year.
Glen Club Update: Last week marked one month since the loss of the historic Glen Club at Watkins Glen International. While plans are still being finalized, track officials have been talking with special event industry providers regarding an upscale temporary suite for the 2007 season. The configuration and interior design would be similar the elite structures found at Professional Golf Association (PGA), tennis and motor sports events around the country.
While the temporary structure is still being determined, the track is also working on a project scope for a permanent Glen Club structure. Race weekends held at the track including the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series and IndyCar Series, and supplementary events uses including wedding receptions, viewing parties and corporate events are all being considered for the design and layout of the new building. All of these uses are being carefully evaluated so that the new club will enhance the previous club’s capabilities and our fan’s experience.
Capital Improvements Update: The signs of spring are beginning to appear and that means more capital improvements at The Glen. The previously announced construction of the Race Control elevator on the back of the FrontStretch Grandstand is in full swing. This is a continuation of the capital improvements that began in October 2006 when Turns 1, 5 and 6 were repaved.
Construction on the elevator began at the end of February and workers have already excavated the new elevator pit, poured the pit footing, formed the elevator pit and poured the pit walls. They are currently laying the masonry for the elevator shaft and are running on-time to finish the project by early June. The elevator will provide track staff and race officials access to the Race Control building that is located on the top of the FrontStretch Grandstand.