Race Weekend Central

INDYCAR Announces Labor Day Return to Watkins Glen International

The replacement for INDYCAR’s lost Boston date has been announced, and it’s a familiar name for longtime fans of the series.

For the first time since 2010, the Verizon IndyCar Series will return to Watkins Glen International on Labor Day (Sept. 1-4) weekend for the penultimate event of the 2016 tour. Indy Lights will also compete during that same weekend.

The race will run for 60 laps on the track’s 11-turn, 3.4-mile course, including the famed “Boot” section.

The news was confirmed in a Friday press conference, featuring INDYCAR President of Competition and Operations Jay Frye along with defending Verizon IndyCar Series champion Scott Dixon, among others.

The result comes after quick negotiations between IndyCar and the track itself. The series’ return to WGI had been hinted at in recent days with the Indy Star reporting the race was official in the hours before the announcement.

WGI, located in upstate New York, served as an annual stop for Formula 1 and CART races in the 1970s and 1980s. IndyCar held their first of six previous races at WGI in 2005 with Scott Dixon claiming the first of three straight victories at the track. Ryan Hunter-Reay, the late Justin Wilson and Will Power also managed victories at the road course before IndyCar removed WGI from the 2011 schedule.

About the author

A graduate of Ball State, Aaron rejoins Frontstretch for his second season in 2016 following a successful year that included covering seven races and starting the popular "Two-Headed Monster" column in 2015. Now in his third year of covering motorsports, Aaron serves as an Assistant Editor for Frontstretch while also contributing to other popular sites including Speed51 and The Apex. He encourages you to come say hi when you see him at the track.

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Buckie Jones

AWESOME deal boyz & gurlz! :D From a NY native, who lives about 20 miles from WGI… THANK YOU for the long awaited return & I’ll see you then …& anytime you visit my nape of the way!
ISC has done a great job with my home track! In ’16 they have 100% resurfaced the 3.5 mile historic & legendary ribbon of asphalt & the following major events: SCCA Trans Am (this weekend), Nascar Cup, Nascar Xfin, IMSA 6 hour …& now INDYCAR! STOKED!

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