Camping World Grand Prix at The Glen

Camping World Indy Grand Prix at the Glen
IndyCar Series
Venue Watkins Glen International
Corporate sponsor Camping World
First race 1979
First ICS race 2005
Last race 2010
Distance 204 miles (328.306 km)
Laps 60
Previous names Kent Oil 150 (1979-1980)
Watkins Glen 200 (1981)
Watkins Glen Indy Grand Prix Presented by Argent Mortgage (2005)
Watkins Glen Indy Grand Prix Presented by Tissot (2006)
Camping World Watkins Glen Grand Prix (2007)
Camping World Indy Grand Prix at the Glen (2008-2009)
Camping World Grand Prix at the Glen (2010)
Most wins (driver) Scott Dixon (3)
Most wins (team) Penske Racing (4)

The Camping World Indy Grand Prix at the Glen was an IndyCar Series race held at Watkins Glen International in Watkins Glen, New York. American open wheel racing at the circuit dates back to 1979.

History

CART

The CART series held the first American open wheel racing events at the circuit from 1979-1981. It was held during the waning years of the Formula One United States Grand Prix. At the time the popular track was starting to lose some of its image, and by 1981, fell into bankruptcy. The Formula One race was cancelled for 1981, and for that year, the CART race took over its traditional October date.

From 1979-1980, the CART series utilized the 2.428-mile (3.907 km) course layout, also known colloquially as the Six Hours course. In 1981, the "Boot" segment was utilized, and the Scheckter Chicane was removed, resulting in a 3.377-mile (5.435 km) layout.

After 1981, the CART series left, and did not return. The track was continuing to suffer from financial difficulties and was falling into a state of disrepair. Eventually, the circuit was sold to ISC, and began to regain stature and popularity with the addition of NASCAR in 1986.

IndyCar

The IRL IndyCar Series debuted at the track in 2005, the first season in which the IRL added road courses to the schedule. During its entire run, the IndyCar race utilized the full 3.403-mile (5.477 km) circuit. The layout included the "Boot" and the "Inner Loop" bus stop chicane that was built in 1992.

In its first year, the race was scheduled for the traditional fall date. In 2006, however, it was moved to early June, the weekend immediately following the Indianapolis 500. The move proved very unpopular, and was met with cool temperatures and rain. After only one season on that date, for 2007, the race was moved to Independence Day weekend. Coupling the race with July 4 was well received by fans and competitors.

The 2009 race, won by Justin Wilson, was the first Indy car race ever won by Dale Coyne Racing, after 25 years of competition in the sport.

On June 28, 2007, Camping World signed a four-year deal to be the title sponsor of the race through 2010.[1] Despite being considered a fairly popular venue by competitors, the race suffered from low attendance. The race, along with all races at ISC-owned tracks, did not return to the calendar for the 2011 season.

Past winners

Season Date Driver Team Chassis Engine Race Distance Race Time Average Speed
(mph)
Report
Laps Miles (km)
CART Champ Car history
1979 Aug 5 United States Bobby Unser Penske Racing Penske Cosworth 62 150.474 (242.164) 1:14:42 120.889 Report
1980 Aug 3 United States Bobby Unser Penske Racing Penske Cosworth 62 150.536 (242.264) 1:30:51 99.309 Report
1981 Oct 4 United States Rick Mears Penske Racing Penske Cosworth 60 202.62 (326.085) 1:52:17 108.273 Report
1982–2004: Not held
IRL Indycar Series history
2005 Sept 25 New Zealand Scott Dixon Chip Ganassi Racing Panoz G-Force Toyota 60 204 (328.306) 1:45:42 114.771 Report
2006 June 4 New Zealand Scott Dixon Chip Ganassi Racing Panoz G-Force Honda 55* 187 (300.947) 2:00:20 92.418 Report
2007 July 8 New Zealand Scott Dixon Chip Ganassi Racing Dallara Honda 60 204 (328.306) 1:43:52 116.813 Report
2008 July 6 United States Ryan Hunter-Reay Rahal Letterman Racing Dallara Honda 60 204 (328.306) 1:54:01 106.403 Report
2009 July 5 United Kingdom Justin Wilson Dale Coyne Racing Dallara Honda 60 204 (328.306) 1:48:24 111.915 Report
2010 July 4 Australia Will Power Penske Racing Dallara Honda 60 204 (328.306) 1:40:27 120.768 Report

Support race history

IPS/Indy Lights Atlantic Championship
Season Date Winning Driver
2005 September 25 United States Jeff Simmons
2006 June 4 United States Bobby Wilson
2007 July 7 New Zealand Wade Cunningham
July 8 United Kingdom Alex Lloyd
2008 July 5 Brazil Raphael Matos
July 5 United States Richard Antinucci
2009 July 4 United States J.R. Hildebrand
2010 July 4 France Jean-Karl Vernay
Season Date Winning Driver
1974 October 4 United States Bill O'Connor
1975–1986: Not held
1987 July 5 United Kingdom Calvin Fish
1988: Not held
1989 July 1 United States Jocko Cunningham
1990 July 1 United States Brian Till
1991 June 29 United States Jimmy Vasser
1992 June 27 United Kingdom Russell Spence

References