Watkins Glen in Schuyler County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

The Present Watkins Glen Circuit

Photographed by J. J. Prats, October 12, 2014

1. The Present Watkins Glen Circuit Marker

Inscription. In 1953 the Watkins Glen Grand Prix Corporation moved the circuit to a spot six miles southwest of the village, very close to where the circuit is presently located and racing continued on public roads for three more years In 1956 the 2.3 mile permanent circuit was constructed on land purchased by the Grand Prix Corporation. In 1971 the circuit was modified by widening the roads, relocating the start/finish line and lengthening the course to 3.377 miles by the addition of the one mile boot configuration.

The World Championship United States Grand Prix for Formula I cars was staged here from 1961 through 1980, and NASCAR’s Winston Cup has been an annual fixture since 1986. The circuit has been owned and operated by Watkins Glen International, Inc. since 1983. Over the years the course has been the site of Formula I (Grand Prix), SCCA and IMSA (International Sports Cars) World Championship endurance racers, USAC and CART (Indianapolis cars), NASCAR (stock cars) and Motorcycle racing.

Directions to the New Circuit. From this spot, go south on Franklin Street (route 414), follow 414 County Road at the corner and up the hill. Turn right at the blinking signal, onto County Road 16. The new circuit is 2.4 miles out County Road 16, On the left.

There have been more name drivers in a

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variety of races at Watkins Glen than at any other circuit in the world. Among the name drivers at Watkins Glen are: Mario Andretti • Geoff Bodine • Jack Brabham • Jimmy Clark • Mark Donohue • Dale Earnhardt • Bill Elliott • Emerson Fittipaldi • A. J. Foyt • Dan Gurney • Jim Hall • Graham Hill • Phil Hill • AI Holbert • Jacky Ickx • Niki Lauda • Bruce McLaren • Stirling Moss • Paul Newman • Richard Petty • Brian Redman • Jochen Rindt • Jackie Stewart • John Surtees • Al Unser, Sr. • Bobby Unser • Giles Villeneuve • Darrell Waltrip

Erected by the Village of Watkins Glen, Watkins Glen International, and the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Roads & Vehicles • Sports. A significant historical year for this entry is 1953.

Location. Marker has been reported missing. It was located near 42° 22.6′ N, 76° 52.289′ W. Marker was in Watkins Glen, New York, in Schuyler County. It was on Franklin Street (New York State Route 14) just north of 10th Street when traveling north. It is across from the courthouse. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Watkins Glen NY 14891, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker was in Upstate New York,

specifically in Western New York,

in the Finger Lakes,

and in the Southern Tier.

It was also in the American Northeast,

in the Mid-Atlantic,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it was in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it found itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

New Netherland,

and one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance

Photographed by J. J. Prats, October 12, 2014

2. The Present Watkins Glen Circuit Marker

of this location: Start - Finish Line (here, next to this marker); Racing through the streets! (here, next to this marker); Frank Griswold (here, next to this marker); Watkins Glen Grand Prix Drivers Walk of Fame (a few steps from this marker); Watkins Glen, home to American road racing! (a few steps from this marker); World War Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Watkins Glen State Park (within shouting distance of this marker); Korean and Viet Nam Conflicts Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Watkins Glen.

Other markers no longer nearby. At Watkins Glen (was here, next to this marker but has been confirmed missing); The Original Watkins Glen Circuit (was here, next to this marker but has been confirmed missing).

Also see . . . Wikipedia Entry for Watkins Glen International. “Watkins Glen International (nicknamed ‘The Glen’) is an automobile race track located near Watkins Glen, New York, at the southern tip of Seneca Lake. The sports car racing facility is owned by International Speedway Corporation. It was long known around the world as the home of the United States Grand Prix, which it hosted for twenty consecutive years (1961–1980), but since 1948 the site has been home

The Glen — Detail from Marker image. Click for full size.

October 12, 2014

3. The Glen — Detail from Marker

to road racing of nearly every class, including Formula One, the World Sportscar Championship, Trans-Am, Can-Am, NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, and the IndyCar Series. Initially, public roads in the village were used for the race course. In 1956 a permanent circuit for the race was built. In 1968 the race was extended to six hours, becoming the 6 Hours of Watkins Glen. The circuit’s current layout has more or less been the same since 1971, although a chicane was installed at the uphill Esses in 1975 to slow cars through these corners, where there was a fatality during practice at the 1973 United States Grand Prix. The chicane was removed in 1985, but another chicane called the ‘Inner Loop’ was installed in 1992 after a fatal accident during the previous year’s NASCAR Winston Cup event. The circuit is known as the Mecca of North American road racing and is a very popular venue among fans and drivers.” (Submitted on January 1, 2015.)

Credits. This page was last revised on May 15, 2024. It was originally submitted on January 1, 2015, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 719 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 1, 2015, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.