PREVIEW - The Glen
INCLUDING Driver's appearances, Ticket Prices, Schedule, Facility info and more
2790 Country Route 16 Watkins Glen, NY 14891
Phone: 607-535-2486 http://www.theglen.com/
Ticket Office Phone: 607-535-2481 Fax: 607-535-2344
Directions to Watkins Glen International 2009
County Route 16 will serve as one-way traffic with two lanes of traffic from state Route 414 to Gate 2 at the race track. There will also be two lanes of traffic from Townsend Toad to Kuhl-Winner Way, with one lane of traffic from Bronson Hill Road to Townsend Road. These traffic patterns will begin at 6 a.m. and end at 2 p.m.
After the race, at about 4 p.m. on Sunday, county Route 16 will be one way away from the race track with three lanes heading to state Route 414 (where there is a traffic light). The traffic will then condense to two lanes down into the village of Watkins Glen. Traffic leaving Watkins Glen International is expected to last more than three hours. One-way traffic, in two lanes will also continue down Kuhl-Winner way from Gate No. 6 to state Route 414. Two lanes of traffic will exit from Gate No. 5 and No. 4 on Kuhl-Winner Way to county Route 16. Traffic coming off Kuhl Winner Way will meet three lanes of traffic diverted in Townsend to county Route 16 or county Route 19 or the Watkins Townsend Road, preferably through the state park to the Station Road and down into the village through Steuben Street.
For traffic reports to the track during the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup and Watkins Glen Indy Grand Prix weekends, tune in to 100.9FM WPGI. The routes offered below should serve as a general guideline only and are not necessarily the best routes from your area. Please consult a more detailed map for specific directions from your area.
• From Buffalo, Toronto, and points West: I-90 East to Rte. 14 South (Geneva Exit 42) take 14 South to Watkins Glen along the west side of beautiful Seneca Lake. 40 minutes from Exit 42; or, I-90 East to 390 South to Rte. 17(I-86) East to Exit 42 (Cooper Plains). Follow Meads Creek Rd./County Rte. 16 Northeast to WGI.
• From Cleveland, Jamestown, Olean, Erie, Bradford, and points West: Rte. 17(I-86) East to Rte. 414 North in Corning (Exit 46 turn left at end of exit ramp). 25 minutes from Corning.
• From Williamsport, Harrisburg, and points South: Rte. 15. North to Rte. 17(I-86) East to Rte. 414 North (Exit 46 turn left at end of exit ramp). 25 minutes from Corning.
• From Albany, Springfield MA, Oneonta: Rte. 88 West to Rte. 17(I-86) West to Rte. 14 North in Horseheads. 25 minutes from Horseheads.
• From Utica and points East (scenic route): I-90 West to Rte. 81 South to Rte. 79 West (in Ithaca) to Rte. 414 South. 30 minutes from Ithaca.
• From Binghamton, Scranton, New York City, and points South East: Rte. 17(I-86) West to Rte. 14 North in Horseheads. 25 Minutes from Horseheads.
• From Syracuse, Auburn, Oswego: I-90 West to Rte. 14 South (Geneva exit 42). 40 minutes from Exit 42.
• Watkins Glen International is located approximately 3 miles outside of the Village of Watkins Glen. From Franklin Street in the Village, go South on Rte. 414 to the traffic light (3/4 mile) at the top of the hill and turn right. Go approximately 2.25 miles to the track (on the left).
PLEASE NOTE:
Exit Patterns • All traffic will be ONE WAY exiting the facility Signage will guide traffic to the proper turns to their ultimate destination.
• All traffic exiting Gate 1 must go straight on Wedgewood Road or right on Meads Hill Road.
• All traffic exiting Gate 2 and Gate 3 must go right on County Rte. 16.
• All traffic exiting the parking fields across from Gate 4 and Gate 5 must exit out of the rear of the lots (westward), turning right on Kuhl-Winner Way then left on County Rte. 16.
FROM JESSIE Q: Traffic to the track on race day is usually 3 lanes heading toward the track. Be prepared, the track sits on top of a steep 8 mile incline. Make sure you have GOOD brakes on your RV or vehicle for the drive home. More then once we've boiled the brake fluid coming down the hill, even 5 or 6 hours after the race. If you have a good GPS or atlas, there are some very rural backroads which you can take if you are heading north towards the NY Thruway. They provide a great view of the Finger Lakes, and take you directly through the heart of Amish country!
WATKINS GLEN NASCAR 2009 SCHEDULE
Thursday, August 6th
6:00am Gate 2 Now Open 24 Hours (G4a:8am-8pm; G4:9am-8pm; G6:6am-11pm; G7:6am-11pm)
6:00am Gates 1 and 7 Open for Campers ONLY
7:00am – 5:00pm WGI Worker Registration
7:00am – 7:00pm WGI Registration
7:00am – 8:30pm Shuttle Bus Service Hours
8:00am – 5:00pm Ticket Office Hours
8:00am – 8:30pm Disability Carts Hours
10:00am – 5:00pm Info Booth Hours
11:00am – 7:00pm Cold Pit Hours
11:00am – 8:00pm Grandstand Hours (Grandstands close 1 hour after race ends)
12:00pm – 1:00pm NRGA Practice
1:30pm – 2:30pm NRGA Practice
3:30pm – 4:00pm NRGA Practice
4:30pm – 4:45pm NRGA Qualifying
6:00pm – 7:00pm NRGA Final Practice
Friday, August 7th
All Day Gates Open (G4: 9am-9pm; G4a: 8am-9pm; G5: 8am-9pm; G6:6am-11pm; G7: 6am-11pm)
6:00am NNS Registration Opens
6:00am – 9:00pm Shuttle Bus Service Hours
6:30am NSCS Registration Opens
6:30am NNS Garage Opens
7:00am NSCS Garage Opens
7:00am – 5:00pm WGI Worker Registration
7:00am – 7:00pm WGI Registration
7:00am – 8:30pm Disability Carts Hours
8:00am – 5:00pm Ticket Office Hours
9:00am – 8:00pm Info Booth hours
11:00am Crown Royal Club Opens (Closes hour after on-track activities)
11:00am – 6:30pm Cold Pit Hours
11:00am – 8:30pm Grandstand Hours (Grandstands close 1 hour after race ends)
11:15am NSCS **HOT PASS IN EFFECT**
11:45am - 1:20pm NSCS Practice
12:00am – 4:00pm McDonald’s Kid Zone Open
1:30pm – 3:00pm NNS Practice
2:40pm NSCS **HOT PASS IN EFFECT**
3:10pm NSCS Qualifying (One lap, all positions)
5:00pm NSCS Registration Closes
5:30pm NNS Final Practice (40 minutes, time permitting)
5:30pm NNS Registration Closes
6:00pm NSCS Garage Closes
6:15pm NRGA Drivers Introductions
6:30pm NRGA RACE – Crown Royal 200 (82 laps, 200 miles or 2 hours)
8:30pm NNS Garage Closes
Saturday, August 8th
All Day Gates Open (G4: 7am-9pm; G4a: 7am-8pm; G5: 7am-8pm; G6:6am-11pm; G7: 6am-11pm)
6:00am NNS Garage & Registration Opens
6:00am – 6:00pm WGI Worker Registration
6:00am – 7:00pm Shuttle Bus Service Hours
7:00am – 3:30pm WGI Registration
7:00am – 8:30pm Disability Carts Hours
8:00am Crown Royal Club Opens (Closes hour after on-track activities)
8:00am – TBD Ticket Office Hours
8:00am – 5:00pm Info Booth hours
9:00am – 2:00pm Cold Pit Hours
9:00am – 4:30pm Grandstand Hours (Grandstands close 1 hour after race ends)
9:30am NSCS Garage & Registration Opens
10:10am NNS Qualifying
11:00am – 3:00pm McDonald’s Kid Zone Open
11:30am NSCS **HOT PASS IN EFFECT**
12:00pm – 12:45pm NSCS Practice
1:20pm – 2:20pm NSCS Final Practice
2:30pm NNS Driver Introduction (Security Clears Pit Road)
3:00pm NNS RACE – Zippo 200 (82 laps, 200.9 miles)
3:30pm NNS Registration Closes
4:30pm NSCS Garage & Registration Closes
6:30pm Red Cat Concert in the Esses with Telluride and Megan Linville
Sunday, August 9th
All Day Gates Open (G4: 7am-TBD; G4a: 7am-TBD; G5: 7am-TBD; G6:6am-TBD; G7: 6am-TBD)
5:00am – 2:00pm WGI Worker Registration
5:00am – 6:00pm Shuttle Bus Service Hours
7:00am Cross-over Gates Open
7:00am – TBD Ticket Office Hours
7:00am – 2:30pm WGI Registration
7:00am – 6:00pm Disability Carts Hours
8:00am Crown Royal Club Opens (Closes hour after on-track activities)
8:00am NSCS Garage & Registration Opens
8:00am Public Church Service (McDonald’s Family Grandstand)
8:00am – 1:00pm Cold Pit Hours
8:00am – 4:00pm Info Booth hours
9:30am – 1:30pm McDonald’s Kid Zone Open
10:00am – 4:30pm Grandstand Hours (Grandstands close 1 hour after race ends)
1:00pm NSCS **HOT PASS IN EFFECT** (Until one hour after race)
1:30pm NSCS Driver Introduction (Security Clears Pit Road)
2:00pm NSCS RACE – HELUVA GOOD! SOUR CREAM DIPS AT THE GLEN
(90 laps, 220.5 miles)
2:30pm NSCS Registration Closes
Post-Race NSCS Gatorade Victory Lane
TICKET PRICES 2009
NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series at The Glen $10.00 - $135.00 BUY TICKETS
2009 WGI Frontstretch 3-Pak 145.00
2009 WGI Pit Terrace 3-Pak 165.00
Race tickets with insurance are available for all major events at Watkins Glen International. Click here for more info
"Smashing" Ticket Package To promote our soon-to-be-announced relationship with acclaimed artist Sam Bass, any fan that brings a new or used musical instrument to the WGI ticket office, located on the corner of Old Bronson Hill Road and Route 16, can purchase a ticket to the Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips at The Glen NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at a discounted price, and receive an autographed Sam Bass-commissioned event poster. All instruments collected through the drive will be donated to local music organizations and local schools for use in their music departments.
FROM JESSIE Q. From personal experience, I would probably not recommend the non-reserved seat tickets. Good viewing locations trackside are few and far between. The Inner-Loop is probably the best place to watch trackside, and fans usually have their chairs out long before the race.
The new grandstand that they brought in on the front straightaway is very nice. It's very tall, and you can see all of pit-road, as well as a large jumbotron and victory lane. The 90 grandstand and the Turn 10 Grandstand are often the best places to see passing, and the very frequent "oops I over-shot the corner and went off the track" moments. Avoid the Red, White and Blue grandstands if at all possible. They really pack the fans in there, and the seats are quite narrow.
PIT PASSES 2009
Photo identification is required for all Cold Pit Credentials. No exceptions will be made, and all Cold Pit Credential holders must be 18 years of age or older. In addition, the following rules apply:
• Credentials are non-transferable.
• Proper attire is required Thursday through Saturday. This is defined as: sleeved shirt, closed-toe shoes and long pants. No shorts, tank or halter-tops, sandals or open-toed shoes are allowed; shoulders, legs and feet must be covered.
• Cold Pit Credentials purchased through the ticket office are not good for gate admission, or for admission to the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series or Busch Series garage. • Access hours are subject to change by NASCAR without prior notice.
HOSPITALITY 2009
2009 WGI Turn 11 "THE BOG" Hospitality Pkg $125.00
2009 WGI NSC Crown Royal Club $500.00
TRAMS AND SHUTTLES
GATE 1, 3, 7 and Lot 2, There looks like only one stop in the infield as you come in the West Tunnel and go left on Capesteo Road.
FROM RICH: These buses run these routes continuously, as long as the bus is not full, you can just wave them down and they will stop and pick you up anywhere on the route! Also while on the bus, you can yell to him "I'd like to get off here" and he will stop when possible and let you out! Always friendly drivers that have alot of fun what they are doing!!!!
Parking 2009
Free daytime parking is available for all of our guests. On non-NASCAR and non IndyCar weekends, all daytime parking is located on the infield. For the SIRIUS Satellite Radio at The Glen weekend and Indy Grand Prix, free parking is available along Bronson Hill Road and also between Gate 2 and 3 along County Route 16 and Overnight Parking is available for a fee on County Rt. 16, past the ticket and registration offices.
Guests with Disabilities
Ticketing - Wheelchair-accessible reserved seats are available in the FrontStretch grandstand (located at the start/finish line), and in the Pit Terrace grandstand. There are also areas reserved for general admission ticket holders with special needs, as well as accessible restrooms and parking.
Parking - During the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series and the Watkins Glen Indy Grand Prix weekends, guests with state-issued handicap hangtags and license plates may park in the first row of the free daytime parking lots (please see map on pages 20-21 of the guest guide).
Transportation - Disability transport carts will be available at the admission gate nearest the Gate 4 parking lot to transport guests to their grandstand location or to the infield. This service is provided free of charge. Please contact gate personnel to arrange for pick-up. Delays at the transport location may occur during high traffic times before and after the race.
Additional Information - Please call the ticket office for additional assistance or details. Guests needing special accommodations should contact the facility well in advance of the event. TDD - 866-ISC-TRAK
WHAT TO DO
Thunder Road Tours 2008
If you are up for the challenge, then make your way to Watkins Glen International and take a tour in your own vehicle. From May through October, The Glen will be offering tours that include three paced laps beginning at noon each day for just $25. Tour dates are subject to track availability and schedule and motorcycles are prohibited.
To get your tour pass, stop by "The Shop", the official retail store of Watkins Glen International, located at 2 North Franklin St. in the village of Watkins Glen. Or, for more information, give them a call at 607-535-2338.
FROM MIKE S RACING PHAN: took the family in our Windstar on May 1, for a 15 dollar donation to Victory Junction Gang, we were able to take three pace laps around the whole track, including the Boot! I thought they would take it easy, but the pace car took right off, and we were barely able to keep up. It was a total blast, and I would recommend it highly to everyone!!!
DRIVERS APPEARANCES
Appearances are posted from a week before race day up until a few days before. Many times there isn't advanced notice, go by the souvenir haulers and look for the signs. (Go on Friday if possible)
Reed Sorenson tries to visit his souvenir trailer at the race track each weekend to sign autographs. Be sure to stop by the Target trailer and check for times.
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Artist Sam Bass is scheduled to appear at the Zippo display along the Fan Midway at Watkins Glen Int'l on Saturday, August 8, 2009. Bass is expected to make three appearances scheduled for 8:00 - 9:00am, 10:00 - 11:00am and 1:00 - 2:00pm..www.jayski.com
Reed Sorenson is scheduled to appear twice at the McDonald's Family Zone at Watkins Glen Int'l on Saturday, August 8, 2009. Sorenson is expected to sign autographs for the first 75 fans at each session. The appearances are schedule for 11:00 -- 11:25am and 2:00 -- 2:30pm/et.www.jayski.com
Sunday, August 9, 2009
AJ Allmendinger is scheduled to sign autographs at the Richard Petty Motorsports merchandise hauler located in the display area at Watkins Glen on Sunday, August 9, 2009 at 9:45am/et.www.jayski.com
Sam Hornish is scheduled to sign autographs at the Penske souvenir trailer located in the display area at Watkins Glen International on Sunday, August 9, 2009 from 10:30 - 11:00am.www.jayski.com
Artist Sam Bass is scheduled to sign autographs at The Pyramid at Watkins Glen Int'l on Sunday, August 9, 2009 from 10:00 - 11:00am/et..www.jayski.com
Robby Gordon is scheduled to sign autographs at the Robby Gordon Motorsports souvenir hauler located in the infield fan area at Watkins Glen Int'l on Sunday, August 9, 2009 at 9:30am/et..www.jayski.com
Kasey Kahne is scheduled to participate in Q&A Session at the McDonald's Family Zone located in the display area at Watkins Glen Int'l on Sunday, August 9, 2009 from 11:30 - 11:35am/et..www.jayski.com
Richard Petty is scheduled to participate in Q&A Session at the McDonald's Family Zone located in the display area at Watkins Glen Int'l on Sunday, August 9, 2009 from 12:45 - 1:00pm/et.www.jayski.com
Marcos Ambrose, Clint Bowyer & WGI President Michael Printup are scheduled to appear on MRN at Full Speed taking place on the SPEED stage located in the Fan Midway at Watkins Glen Int'l on Sunday, August 9, 2009. Starting at 9:30am, Michael Printup will take the stage, followed by Ambrose at 9:40am and Bowyer at 9:50am. Race fans will have the opportunity to ask questions and chat with the panel, emceed by MRN personality Joe Moore..www.jayski.com
Race Fever Thursday, August 6th 2009, 5-9pm
Bridge Street in Corning’s Gaffer District
Thursday, August 9th 5pm to 9pm
Downtown street party celebrating Nextel Cup racing. Featuring drivers, racing displays, food and live entertainment. For more information contact: Director of Festivals & Promotions Corning’s Gaffer District, 607-937-6292
Miller Lite showcar and Autograph session by NASCAR Sprint Cup driver Kurt Busch Justin Allgaier & David Stremme from 7:00pm to 8:00pm at the former American Twin Harley Davidson lot.
The Red Cat Summer Stage Concert Saturday, August 8 2009
The concert will feature both Megan Linville and TelluRide. Linville will open the concert beginning 6:30 p.m. in the Turn 10 Village, and then TelluRide will take over as the main act. Once again the concert is included in the price of admission for both Weekend and Sunday-Only ticket holders to the Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips at The Glen, August 6-9. Sunday-Only ticket holders will be permitted to enter the track starting at 5:00 PM on Saturday evening.
The National Tailgating League “Cornhole King of the Campgrounds” Aug 8 and 9 2009
The doubles cornhole tournaments will take place Aug. 8 - 9 in conjunction with the Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips at The Glen and will be open to all ticketed patrons. Interested race fans and gamers that want to participate in one of the NTL doubles cornhole tournaments during the Watkins Glen weekend can reserve a spot by signing up today at www.TheNTL.com or can visit the tournament site starting as early as Friday, Aug. 7. Each of the three weekend tournaments will hold up to 64 teams of two and sign-ups are on a first come, first serve basis.
Pre Race Ceremonies Sunday Aug 9, 2009
As a special tribute to our country and our local troops, several local military groups will be participating in the pre-race festivities by providing fly-over crews and color guards. The pre-race ceremony for the Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips at The Glen on Sunday, August 9, will feature even more involvement from local military. Four F-16C Fighting Falcons of the 174th Fighter Wing from Syracuse, N.Y., will stun fans as they fly over the grandstands just moments before the drivers fire their engines. Just like Saturday, colors guards will be stationed around the road course from the U.S. Niagara Falls Air Force Color Guard, the 27th Combat Brigade of Syracuse, and the U.S. NAVY Color Guard of Buffalo.
Located front-and-center, the West Point Military Police Honor Guard will present the nation’s colors from the pre-race stage at the start/finish line. Each member of the West Point Military Police Honor Guard has served the country in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. The West Point Military Police Color Guard’s primary purpose is to render military honors at military funerals for fallen comrades, but they also present the nation’s colors for various prestigious ceremonies and events.
Family Fun
Enjoy the Family Zone for a smoke and alcohol-free environment, complete with games and inflatables for the kids with a special visit from Ronald McDonald on Sunday. The McDonald's Kids Zone will be open on Friday from 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM, Saturday from 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM, and on Sunday from 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM.
TV Compound to Open in New Location 2008
The new TV Compound at Watkins Glen International will be utilized for the first time during the Centurion Boats at The Glen, August 7-10. The compound will move outside the track from its former location inside Turn 10. The new TV Compound is located behind the FrontStretch Grandstands off of Old Bronson Hill Road. The new compound is larger and will provide stations more room to spread out. This is another enhancement to the track as we continue to improve on the amenities that we offer to fans, series and the media that cover the races at Watkins Glen International. The move also opens up additional space for fan activities inside the track. In the place of the former TV Compound, fans can now enjoy the Budweiser Tiki Hut and an expanded Manufacturer's Row.
OTHER IMPORTANT TRACK INFO
The Budweiser Tiki Hut 2008
The hut will sell an assortment of Anheuser-Busch and Diageo products, and will serve a variety of stadium-style snacks. The Budweiser Tiki Hut will be open on Friday and Saturday from 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM, and Sunday from 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM. The Tiki Hut is located inside the track by Turn 10 next to the Pyramid Souvenir Store.
Anyone purchasing food at the Budweiser Tiki Hut during Happy Hour will enjoy $1-off all food selections. Drink specials will feature $3 Beers, including Bud products, $6 Red cat on the Beach drinks, and $15 Buckets of Budweiser. Bar snacks will also be available throughout Happy Hour. MORE
What you can bring into the grandstand gates:
• One soft-sided bag/cooler, no larger than 6x6x12 inches
WHEN MEASURED WITH ITS CONTENTS.
- Examples include: a soft-sided insulated cooler, a scanner bag, a fanny pack, a purse, a diaper bag or binocular bag, etc.
- This one bag may be carried in any manner, i.e. by handle, with shoulder straps, on a belt, etc.
• One clear plastic bag, no larger than 18x18x4 inches.
- To accommodate samples received and purchases made after fans have parked their cars.
- This one bag may be carried in any manner
• Binoculars, scanners, headsets and cameras not in a bag, but worn separately over the neck or on the belt. Seat cushions carried separately are also allowed.
• Seat cushion bags with compartments will be reviewed on an individual basis.
• All items brought through grandstand gates will be inspected.
COOLER RULES 6x6x12 cooler BOO!
This is pretty funny. I read this under their rules for the grandstands:
"... A 6x6x12 cooler holds approximately 11 cans of soda with ice or any number of lunch item and beverage combinations."
They must be kidding me! Who is packing their cooler? I need them at my camp site.
WILL CALL
If you purchased tickets more than three weeks in advance and did not receive your tickets by mail, please call the ticket office at (866) 461-RACE to notify us. If you have purchased tickets within three weeks prior to the event weekend and did not receive them in the mail, they may be picked up at the Will Call window at the ticket office, located on Old Bronson Hill Road, across from Gate 4A. Photo ID is required to pick up tickets at Will Call. If the ticket office is closed, Will Call will be available at Gate 2. We cannot accept tickets to “add” to Will Call at Gate 2 (or at any other location) from guests for another party’s pick-up.
miscellaneous track info:
FROM JESSIE Q. : I have to agree completely with what Gino from PA had to say. Wear GOOD shoes. Waterproof, comfortable, and something with a good bit of traction. Since 1998, I've only experienced ONE race week where it did not rain nearly EVERY day!!! Be prepared to do a great deal of walking. From my campspot at the top of the Esse's, the Inner-Loop is a good twenty minute walk, and the Turn 10 grandstand is about a 15 minute walk. On race day, it takes us about an hour to get to our reserved seats at The 90 grandstand.
Lost/Stolen Tickets
If your tickets are stolen, please file a police report. We can issue replacement tickets only when presented with such a report. Lost tickets may be replaced, but full ticket price will be charged for the replacement.
However, if the original tickets are returned to us within 30 days, we will refund the full ticket price.
Paddock Access
Watkins Glen International and the sanctioning body have set forth the following rules for the Garage Area:
• As part of our fan-friendly focus & with the agreement of the sanctioning body, we are happy to inform you that there are NO clothing restrictions in the Garage Area!
• Alcoholic beverages may not be brought into the Garage Area and smoking is not permitted at any time.
