Law student Cameron Argetsinger dreamed of bringing European
style competition to the village where he spent his summer
vacations. He drew up a challenging course that encompassed
asphalt, cement and dirt roads in and around the village of
Watkins Glen. The dream became reality on Oct. 2, 1948. For
five years, the top names in American sports car racing
visited the small village and huge crowds came out to watch
them race.
Competition moved to a temporary course in
1953, and 2.3-mile permanent circuit was built in 1956. The
following year, The Glen hosted its first professional race, a
NASCAR Grand National stock car event won by Buck Baker over
Fireball Roberts.
The circuit itself was expanded in
1971, as the 1970s brought a wide variety of competition to
The Glen, including the Can-Am, Trans-Am, Six Hours, Formula
5000 and CART IndyCar Series. Race winners included many of
the top names in international motorsports, including Mark
Donohue, Mario Andretti, Jody Scheckter and Bruce McLaren.
Alan Jones' victory in the 1980 United States Grand Prix
at Watkins Glen marked the close of an era. Financial
difficulties led to the Watkins Glen date being dropped from
the Formula One schedule and as a result, the bankrupt track
closed following a CART race in 1981. Over the next two years
the track fell into disrepair, hosting only a few
non-spectator SCCA weekends.
Corning Enterprises, a
newly chartered subsidiary of Corning Glass Works, purchased
the track in early 1983 and formed a partnership with
International Speedway Corporation, forming Watkins Glen
International. The Glen reopened on July 7, 1984, with Al
Holbert, Derek Bell and Jim Adams winning the inaugural Camel
Continental at the renovated facility. On Aug. 9, 1986, fans
witnessed Tim Richmond's triumph at the return of the Cup
Series.
In 1991, Terry Labonte won the first NASCAR
Busch Series race at The Glen, beginning an impressive streak
of four wins in six years, including three consecutive wins
from 1994 through 1996. His three-year win streak ranks him
with other Watkins Glen three-time winners: Formula One ace
Graham Hill, sports car drivers Al Holbert and Derek Bell and
Cup driver Mark Martin.
The 1992 season saw a major
reconfiguration of The Glen's back straightaway. The addition
of the Inner Loop increased the length of the long course to
3.4 miles and the short course to 2.45 miles. The new turns
enhanced competition while adding quality spectator viewing. |
