Staff Report / May 17, 2026
NASCAR will return to Watkins Glen International in September of 2027, restoring the historic Finger Lakes road course to the NASCAR Cup Series playoff schedule after a one-year shift to a spring race weekend.
Track President Dawn Burlew announced the change ahead of this year’s race weekend, confirming the 2027 event will once again take place during the opening portion of NASCAR’s postseason. NASCAR officials have not yet announced an exact race date.
The move marks another scheduling change for the longtime NASCAR venue. Watkins Glen traditionally hosted its NASCAR race weekend in August for decades before moving into the playoff schedule in 2024. The event then shifted to an early May date for the 2026 season before NASCAR announced plans to return the race to September in 2027.
The announcement was widely welcomed by local tourism officials, businesses, and many racing fans throughout the Finger Lakes region. Industry observers noted that September race weekends at Watkins Glen have historically aligned more closely with the area’s peak tourism season, benefiting hotels, wineries, restaurants, and other local businesses.
Watkins Glen International has been a fixture on the NASCAR schedule since 1986 and remains one of the sport’s premier road course venues. The 2.45-mile circuit hosts NASCAR Cup, Xfinity, and Craftsman Truck Series events and regularly draws fans from across the Northeast and Canada.
This year’s NASCAR weekend at Watkins Glen featured a tripleheader event, including Cup Series competition won by Shane van Gisbergen. The New Zealand driver continued his strong road-course success with another victory at The Glen.
