Watkins Glen track gets international attention

WATKINS GLEN—Watkins Glen International garnered international and national media attention this past week. The track was named one of the top tracks in the country to watch a NASCAR race by Matthew Henson in his story on 10Best.com.
Trailing only behind Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Watkins Glen International outranks several renowned raceways including Michigan International Speedway, Richmond International Raceway, Charlotte Motor Speedway, Darlington Raceway, Talladega Super Speedway, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Bristol Motor Speedway and Daytona International Speedway.
“It was beautiful,” WGI President Michael Printup said. “It was not just the racetrack they talked about. They talked about New York State and the Finger Lakes area too. It is something to be proud about when people like that start writing about a region like ours.”
The article highlights Watkins Glen as being one of only two tracks on the Sprint Cup circuit to feature right turns, saying “it is regarded by many across the world as one of the best road courses in North America.” It also mentions the track’s specialization in campgrounds, saying it “has historically been one of the best tracks for RVing/camping.”
And the press coverage did not stop there.
Three-time Formula One World Champion Sebastian Vettel also released a press statement earlier in the month listing Watking Glen International as his top choice to race if he had the opportunity. Vettel said Watkins Glen was first on his list of five tracks in the world he would like to race on, above Le Mans in France, California’s Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, the original Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium and Germany’s Norsdschleife during a press event for the 2013 Spanish Grand Prix.
“I’ve heard lots of good things about it, as in it’s a proper circuit with lots of ups and downs and loads of history,” Vettel said. “F1 used to go there but not anymore, so I’d like to try that.”
In response, Printup issued a press release inviting Vettel to come and drive the course any time.
“Today, the three-time Formula One champion received a formal invitation from WGI President Michael Printup to bring his Red Bull Racing-Renault to The Glen anytime,” according to the release.
Printup said they have been in contact with Vettel’s lawyer, who said he will speak to Vettel and hopefully get a response from him by next week.