WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. — Watkins Glen International has long been considered one of NASCAR’s premier road courses — a fast, technical circuit known for sweeping corners, heavy braking zones, and dramatic finishes.
Since the early 2000s, the Glen has delivered some of the most memorable moments in road course racing.
In 2000, tensions flared between Tony Stewart and Jeff Gordon, while Steve Park held off Mark Martin to score his first Cup Series victory. The drama continued in 2007, when contact between Kevin Harvick and Juan Pablo Montoya led to a heated exchange, and Stewart capitalized late to take the win after Gordon spun with just laps remaining.
One of the most chaotic finishes came in 2011. A late-race battle between Kyle Busch, Marcos Ambrose, and Brad Keselowski saw multiple lead changes, contact, and a final-lap incident that brought out the caution. Ambrose was declared the winner, earning his first Cup Series victory in a race that also featured a post-race confrontation involving Boris Said.
The following year delivered another classic. In 2012, the same trio of drivers found themselves battling again when oil on the track sent Busch spinning on the final lap. Keselowski briefly took the lead, but Ambrose fought back through the closing corners to secure his second consecutive win at the Glen.
Memorable first-time winners have also defined the track. In 2014, AJ Allmendinger broke through for his first Cup victory, while in 2018, Chase Elliott held off Martin Truex Jr. to earn his first win in the series.
Even in the Next Gen era, Watkins Glen has continued to produce compelling racing. In 2022, Kyle Larson battled a teammate for the win, and in 2024, Chris Buescher capitalized late to claim his first road course victory after a physical, crash-filled race.
Through it all, Watkins Glen has maintained its reputation as NASCAR’s most complete road course — a place where speed, skill, and strategy collide to create unforgettable moments.
