ELMIRA, N.Y. (WETM ) – NASCAR’s future at the region’s longest standing race track is well in hand.

18 Sports met with track officials and learned about the future of the sport at Watkins Glen International on Wednesday. Just weeks ago, NASCAR announced a major change coming to Watkins Glen. For the first time in 40 years, the circuit changed the biggest race weekend of the summer to the spring.

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The 2026 Go Bowling at The Glen will now be on Sunday, May 10th which is also Mother’s Day. The move proved to be one that made thousands of fans speak out on the drastic change on the schedule. Many were left seeking answers and asking questions on the race’s future at The Glen.

The background information we learned was that NASCAR has a financial commitment to Watkins Glen International for years to come. The venue is one that is not only important to the circuit, but one that is owned by NASCAR itself. NASCAR acquired the track along with several other tracks for nearly $2 billion from International Speedway Corporation in 2019.

Watkins Glen International was named USA Today’s Best NASCAR Track in the country four times in six years leading into 2020. Its rich history is one that many hope to not only be preserved but to be celebrated for many more years in the future. After our recent conversation, NASCAR is committed to the future success of racing at WGI.

18 Sports will conduct a special interview with Watkins Glen International President Dawn Burlew Friday night on at 6 PM. We will dive into the future of NASCAR and the the track. Below, a complete look at some of the main points on the background information we obtained on NASCAR’s future at The Glen.

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