O’Mara, Palmesano and Friend pay tribute to 40 years of NASCAR at Watkins Glen International

Across the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes regions, we all take great pride in the fact that The Glen has resonated so powerfully throughout the history of American motorsports and as a mainstay of the NASCAR circuit for the past 40 years!

Watkins Glen, N.Y., July 1--State Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C-Big Flats), Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R,C-Corning) and Assemblyman Chris Friend (R,C-Big Flats) recently paid tribute to the 40th Anniversary of NASCAR at Watkins Glen International (WGI).

During a ceremony at The Glen Club last Sunday as part of the Sahlen’s Six Hours of the Glen, O’Mara and Palmesano presented WGI President Dawn Burlew with a Legislative Resolution (J2328/K1572) they sponsored commemorating the 40th Anniversary of NASCAR at WGI (see photo above). 

The O’Mara-Palmesano-Friend resolution was unanimously approved by the Senate and Assembly earlier last month during the closing days of the 2026 session of the State Legislature.

The legislators have long celebrated the contributions of motorsports at WGI to the economy and culture of the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes regions, and statewide.

In a joint statement, O’Mara, Palmesano and Friend said, “It is our privilege to pay tribute once again to one of the world’s iconic sporting venues. Across the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes regions, we all take great pride in the fact that The Glen has resonated so powerfully throughout the history of American motorsports and as a mainstay of the NASCAR circuit for the past 40 years! Watkins Glen International has long stood as a cornerstone of our regional culture and economy. It is one of New York State’s premier destinations, a backbone of our leading tourism industry, and a driving force for countless charitable, community service and economic development initiatives. Very simply, we’re fortunate to call Watkins Glen International one of our own.”

WGI President Dawn Burlew said, “"To be the home of NASCAR in New York State for 40 years - and counting - is something we are incredibly proud of. We will continue to work hard to welcome race teams, officials and fans with the best possible experience, and thank the New York State Senate and Assembly for this recognition."

The O’Mara-Palmesano-Friend resolution states, in part, “It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and support events of significance which contribute to the entertainment and vitality of the communities they serve and which exemplify the history and development of the State of New York…The overwhelming success of the NASCAR event at Watkins Glen International has brought important economic growth to the region and opened the door to several new partnerships and special events fans can look forward to, including visits from local NASCAR legends.”

The resolution notes that while the first NASCAR race at WGI took place in 1957, the event became a recurring yearly tradition in 1986.