iNSIDE SCOOP: Good to Go for the Glen

Tomorrow, we’ll board the magic machine for upstate New York and the glory that is Watkins Glen International.

Some of you might not like the road-course races on the NASCAR schedule, and that’s fine. You’re missing a wicked show. The Glen is fast, technical and picturesque, and that’s a hard combination for any race track to beat.

Downhill to a 90-degree right-hander? Check. Uphill through the Esses to a screaming backstretch? Check. Bus stop turn? Check. Sweepy corners to the front straight? Check. It’s all about momentum at the Glen, and if you lose it, you’re headed backwards through the field.

It’s not easy to pass there, but you can do it. You might even make contact while doing so. That’s a bonus, in my opinion. The last couple of races there have been epic, and I have a feeling, what with the new criteria for the Chase, that this one will be as well.

The Glen has a rich tradition of motorsport in this country, and rightly so. It has been the home of Formula One and sports car races for a long, long time, and NASCAR for the past 31 years. Having witnessed many races there, it’s good to be going home again.

When I worked at National Speed Sport News for Chris Economaki, we used to make the three-hour drive up Route 17 to the Glen for all manner of events. Of course, if Chris was driving, it was about 90 minutes…but I digress.

The course itself is beautiful, and the town of Watkins Glen is quaint, for lack of a better word. The Bodines hail from Chemung, which is fairly close, and there’s a lot of good Modified racing in the area. The Finger Lakes are nearby, and the lake cruises are not to be missed. Be warned, though, it’s a big wine area and you will be overserved if you’re not careful!

I’m looking forward to seeing some of our Members back at the Glen this weekend. We haven’t been back for a few years, and we’re trying to have the Northeast tracks rotate in and out of the schedule each year for VIP events.

If you’re in the area and attending the race, come and see us! Signups are still open, and we look forward to seeing you there!