A Weekend to Remember at the Glen

A quick race:

Two hours, seven minutes and three seconds. That’s how long the “I Love New York 355 at the Glen” took to complete on Sunday. Under a partly cloudy sky with perfect upstate New York temperature the fans weren’t cheated one bit by the quick race. In fact I’d be hard pressed to find anyone who felt they did not get their monies worth.

The race itself had some beating and banging you see at a short track. It had all the speed given the long straightaways of the Glen that you see at a superspeedway. Endurance? Several drivers dealt with brake issues and the sport’s most popular star lost an engine. Tempers? Oh yeah, there were a few of those as well.

For my money, a two hour race was just fine.

Watkins Glen Sellout:

Shortly before the race began, Watkins Glen International President, Michael Printup announced that all the grandstands tickets had been sold. That makes three seasons in a row that the race was sold out. Not only were all 35,000 seats spoken for but officials estimate that 100,000 people total were at the track on Sunday, setting on top of their RV’s or sitting in folding chairs along the side of the track.

While NASCAR continues to battle attendance issues, the Glen may be giving NASCAR a huge hint on the solution. You’ll be hard pressed to argue that the on track racing at Watkins Glen has been some of the most exciting racing in the sport. It’s no wonder why race fans want to be here in person. It’s a track with a personality of its own and there is nothing like it in the NASCAR circuit. More road course races please.

A Great Atmosphere

Speaking of Watkins Glen, is there a more beautiful area where NASCAR races? Pocono is a lovely area but for my money the views around this track could have kept the artist of the Hudson River School busy for decades. Driving up County Route 16 just past the intersection of NY Route 414 you see this tremendous facility sitting on top of a large hill. I still get goosebumps when I see it.

The employees and volunteers at the track add a special feeling to this track as well. Even the security folks meet you with a smile. The entire weekend takes on a festive attitude not matched anywhere else in the NASCAR circuit.

Upstate New Yorkers have a totally different pace in life. I call upstate New Yorker’s the Southerners of the North. Friendly, polite and by the way, tremendously knowledgeable race fans. Led by Track President Michael Printup, who seems to be everywhere, Watkins Glen is a must stop for any race fan.

Martin Truex Jr.

Asked after the race if he considered himself a favorite for the Championship he replied, “I might be a favorite to be one of the final four cars making it to Homestead but in a one race take all format I don’t think you can call anyone a favorite.”

It’s probably hard to argue with that logic but it’s still difficult to think that Truex won’t find himself at the top of the field that warm Sunday night at Miami-Homestead Speedway. Every week we’ve been treated to seeing the 78 Furniture Row Toyota at the top of the field. Short track, Super Speedway, Road course, 1.5 milers, it doesn’t matter. More often than not, Crew Chief Cole Pearn and his crew has given Truex the class of the field. A completely dominating performance not seen in this sport in some time.

Thanks for reading. Listen to WTBQ radio on Monday and Friday mornings at 8:45 as I join Frank, Taylor and the Morning Show gang to discuss all the current happenings in NASCAR. 1110AM 93.5FM or online at WTBQ.COM. You can also follow me on twitter @JimLaplante