Watkins Glen International’s NASCAR date will move to September next year, track president Dawn Burlew revealed Thursday (May 7).
Officials indicate that the weekend will be one of the first race weekends in the 10-race Chase next season.
Burlew announced the news at an event for campers at Watkins Glen.
“People actually really liked that recognition for The Glen as well as all our fans that come here,” Burlew said Thursday from a lakeside vista at Glenora Wine Cellars. “So being in [The Chase] going forward, I think they’re going to be thrilled that we’re at the first part of that and really kind of set the stage for the rest of the playoff season. So again, if we can be part of that and kick it off, there’s no better place than to do it at The Glen.”
Last year, NASCAR surprised fans when the race was moved to May in 2026 after running primarily in August since 1957’s debut. It did have a run in September in 2024.
The move adds a road course back to The Chase, with the Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL moved to the oval starting this season.
Joy joined Frontstretch in 2019 as a NASCAR DraftKings writer, expanding to news and iRacing coverage in 2020. She's currently an assistant editor and involved with photos, social media and news editing. A California native, Joy was raised watching motorsports and started watching NASCAR extensively in 2001. She earned her B.A. degree in Liberal Studies at California State University Bakersfield in 2010.