Camping World Watkins Glen Grand Prix
 |
|
| Venue | Watkins Glen International |
|---|---|
| First race | 1979 |
| First ICS race | 2005 |
| Distance | 204 miles (328.306 km) |
| Laps | 60 |
| Previous names |
Kent Oil 150 (1979–1980) Watkins Glen 200 (1981) Watkins Glen Indy Grand Prix Presented by Argent Mortgage (2005) Watkins Glen Indy Grand Prix Presented by Tissot (2006) Camping World Watkins Glen Grand Prix (2007) Camping World Indy Grand Prix at the Glen (2008–2009) Camping World Grand Prix at the Glen (2010) |
| Most wins (driver) | Scott Dixon (4) |
| Most wins (team) |
Penske Racing & Chip Ganassi Racing (4) |
The Grand Prix at the Glen is an IndyCar Series race held at Watkins Glen International in Watkins Glen, New York. American open wheel racing at the circuit dates back to 1979.
Following a five-year hiatus, Watkins Glen was added back to the schedule for the 2016 season following the cancellation of the proposed Grand Prix of Boston.
The CART series held the first American open wheel racing events at the circuit from 1979–1981. It was held during the waning years of the Formula One United States Grand Prix. At the time the popular track was starting to lose some of its image, and by 1981, fell into bankruptcy. The Formula One race was cancelled for 1981, and for that year, the CART race took over its traditional October date.
From 1979 and 1980, the CART series utilized the 2.428-mile (3.907 km) course layout, also known colloquially as the Six Hours course. In 1981, the "Boot" segment was utilized, and the Scheckter Chicane was removed, resulting in a 3.377-mile (5.435 km) layout.
After 1981, the CART series left, and did not return. The track was continuing to suffer from financial difficulties and was falling into a state of disrepair. Eventually, the circuit was sold to ISC, and began to regain stature and popularity with the addition of NASCAR in 1986.
The IRL IndyCar Series debuted at the track in 2005, the first season in which the IRL added road courses to the schedule. During its entire run, the IndyCar Series race utilized the full 3.403-mile (5.477 km) circuit. The layout included the "Boot" and the "Inner Loop" bus stop chicane that was built in 1992.
In its first year, the race was scheduled for the traditional fall date. In 2006, however, it was moved to early June, the weekend immediately following the Indianapolis 500. It was paired alongside the traditional 6 Hours of Watkins Glen sports car event weekend. The move proved very unpopular, and was met with cool temperatures and rain. After only one season with the sports car and IndyCar doubleheader, for 2007, the IndyCar race was moved to Independence Day weekend.
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