Staff Report / July 10. 2025
With NASCAR’s highly anticipated return to Watkins Glen now just under five weeks away, the Corning Museum of Glass (CMoG) hosted a lively community event on July 9 to celebrate the melding of two Finger Lakes cornerstones: glass artistry and high-octane racing.
As part of the museum’s annual “Winning Wednesday” showcase—a tradition 13 years strong—visitors enjoyed an evening of free racing-themed activities. The event featured on-site demonstrations where master glassblowers crafted race-inspired pieces, RC-car competitions, hands-on car-design workshops, and displays of sleek race machines, including a NASCAR-style stocker and WGI’s pace car.
Central to the event was NASCAR Cup Series star Ross Chastain, known among fans as “Melon Man” for his watermelon-farming heritage and his Protect Your Melon initiative. Between 4:45 and 5:30 p.m., Chastain signed autographs and mingled with attendees. He also ventured into CMoG’s “Hot Shop” to learn about and try his hand at glassblowing—culminating in the creation of a miniature glass watermelon, blending his farming roots with regional craft.
“Now the trophy means more—now that I know where it came from,” Chastain said, reflecting on the craftsmanship behind the iconic awards.
Since its inception in 2012, the partnership between CMoG and Watkins Glen International (WGI) has produced some of NASCAR’s most unique trophies. The annual glass award features a cobalt-blue core sculpted to mirror the track’s layout, a nod to WGI’s signature guardrails and Seneca Lake backdrop.
Over the years, CMoG’s reach has grown—from creating the Cup Series trophy to now crafting awards for ARCA, Xfinity, and, for the first time this year, the Craftsman Truck Series, which will race at The Glen on August 8 as part of a rare triple-header weekend alongside Cup and Xfinity events.
The Finger Lakes region has long been a hub of innovation—from its 3,500-year legacy in glassmaking (on full display at CMoG) to its foundational role in American road racing since 1948 when Watkins Glen hosted the first post-war race on village streets.Today, Watkins Glen International boasts a seating capacity of nearly 39,000 and is one of the few North American Grade 2 FIA-certified road courses.
With race weekend rapidly approaching, anticipation is building for a thrilling display of speed, skill, and artistry—where solstice-steeped glass meets rubber-burning asphalt in the heart of Southern Tier New York.
For tickets, camping, and hospitality packages for all three races (Cup, Truck, Xfinity/ARCA), visit Watkins Glen International’s official website or call 1‑866‑461‑RACE.
