RACE: IRL: Watkins Glen 2007 race plans

2007 SEASON FEATURES NASCAR, INDY CARS AND SPORTS CARS

Sahlen's Six Hours of The Glen To Be a Stand-alone Event in June

Watkins Glen Grand Prix Jumps to July and is Supported by Grand-Am Cup Race

NASCAR Remains on Traditional August Weekend

Watkins Glen, NY (September 19, 2006) -- Watkins Glen International is set to host eight event weekends throughout 2007, highlighted by the Watkins Glen Grand Prix move to July 8. The highly anticipated NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series weekend will run on its traditional weekend, August 9-12, and will include the NASCAR Busch Series Zippo 200 and Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series. The Sahlen's Six Hours of The Glen will return as a stand-alone event, June 8-10.

The season begins with Toyota Opening Day on April 29, marking the advance sale deadline for all race weekend tickets. Fans can once again take on the twists and turns of the famed road course in their own vehicles, or take a ride in a pace car. Proceeds from this event to benefit the Victory Junction Gang Camp, a NASCAR Foundation supported charity.

The first racing action will take place during a stand-alone Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series event, June 8-10, and will celebrate the 26th running of the Sahlen's Six Hours of The Glen on its traditional June weekend. This event was coupled with the IndyCar Series in 2006.

The Watkins Glen Grand Prix IndyCar Series weekend returns to the legendary 3.4-mile road course on its new date, July 6-8. The Indy Pro Series, Zippo Historic Grand Prix and Grand-Am Cup Series will also take on the historic 3.4-mile long course during the weekend. The Soul of American Road Racing will offer a variety of 4th of July-themed fan activities at the track including a large fireworks display to celebrate Independence Day.

"The fans at Watkins Glen International are some of the most knowledgeable and passionate Grand American fans that we have anywhere we race," said Grand American Road Racing Association President Roger Edmondson. "By popular demand, we will bring the Grand-Am Cup Series back to Watkins Glen next July, while the annual Sahlen's Six Hours of The Glen will once again be on a 'stand-alone' weekend in June. Likewise, we will once again run a race for Daytona Prototypes only in support of the NASCAR weekend in August, giving the Watkins Glen faithful three chances to see our exciting brand of road racing. I think our fans in Watkins Glen will be extremely pleased with our 2007 schedule."

The NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series will turn left and right at The Glen during its traditional weekend, August 9-12, on Sunday, August 12. Fans can see NASCAR Nextel Cup Series stars challenge the famed 2.45-mile track in the NASCAR Busch Series Zippo 200, August 11. The weekend action kicks off as the Daytona Prototypes of the Grand American Rolex Series make their second appearance at The Glen, August 10.

The Historic Sportscar Racing weekend will also return to The Glen in 2007, June 16-17. The event will once again be open to the public and will feature some of racing's most historic sports cars.

The SCCA Glen Nationals, the longest-running event at The Glen, returns July 14-15, followed immediately by the Finger Lakes Wine Festival supported by The Corning Museum of Glass, July 20-22. The event features over 70 wineries from around the region, pouring over 500 different wines combined with some of the areas best arts & crafts, food, music and the Hot Glass demonstrations from The Corning Museum of Glass.

The 2007 season will close with the traditional season finale -- the Zippo U.S. Vintage Grand Prix, September 7-9. This event celebrates racing's history and continues to be the largest vintage racing event in the country featuring historic cars of the past from as far back as the 1930's and is held in conjunction with the Grand Prix Festival in the Village of Watkins Glen. Both the track and the festival will feature BMW as the weekend's featured marque.

Tickets for the entire 2007 season go on sale December 2. For tickets and information, please contact the Watkins Glen ticket office at 800-461-RACE or log on to the official Watkins Glen website at www.TheGlen.com.

-credit: the glen