New emergency texting available to race patrons: International Speedway Corporation (ISC) has partnered with InStadiumSolutions to implement a text-message based communication system at all of its 12 motorsports facilities. The service was introduced last weekend during the NASCAR Nationwide and Sprint Cup races at Darlington Raceway. The system allows fans to communicate with the racetrack's command post if assistance is needed inside the facility. The technology was tested at Homestead-Miami Speedway last November during the final weekend of the NASCAR season. Instructions will be posted throughout each racetrack and will be broadcast through audio and video public announcements. Besides Darlington and Homestead-Miami, ISC owns and/or operates Daytona, Talladega, Michigan, Richmond, Auto Club Speedway, Kansas, Phoenix, Chicago, Martinsville and Watkins Glen. The Fan Text Messaging Service is also being used by several professional and college teams, as well as at events such as the Super Bowl, BCS National Championship and World Baseball Classic.(Associated Press)(5-14-2009)

Six Current Race Tracks Johnson has never won: There are six current race tracks the Sprint Cup Series runs on that #48-Jimmie Johnson has not won at [a Sprint Cup race], plus Johnson ran five races at Rockingham and didn't win:
Bristol: 0 for 16 with a best finish of 3rd in 8/2004 and 3/2009
Michigan: 0 for 16 with a best finish of 3rd in 8/2007
Infineon: 0 for 8 with a best finish of 4th in 6/2009
Chicago: 0 for 8 with a best finish of 2nd in 7/2004 & 7/2008
Watkins Glen: 0 for 8 with a best finish of 3rd in 8/2007
Homestead: 0 for 8 with a best finish of 2nd in 11/2004
(8-22-2009)

2010 Watkins Glen tickets on sale: Tickets for the 2010 season at Watkins Glen International will go on sale to the general public on Saturday, November 14. The great deals and new options for the 2010 season give fans more ways to save and more choices then ever before. The Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips at The Glen has some of the biggest savings with general admission tickets starting at only $60 and reduced priced McDonald’s Family Grandstand tickets, $65 for adults and $20 for kids 15 and under, returning. New in 2010 - fans will also have the option of purchasing Sunday-only reserved grandstand seats to this event. The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series will return for their 25th Running at The Glen, August 5-8, when they compete in the Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips at The Glen on Sunday, August 8th. Tickets for the entire 2010 season will go on sale to the general public on November 14, 2009. For more information, please contact the Watkins Glen International ticket office at 866-461-RACE (7223) or log on to the official website at www.TheGlen.com.(WGI)(11-14-2009)

Watkins Glen donates prints to USS New York crew: Over the years, Watkins Glen International has worked very hard to show its support of the men and women of the United States military, but its most recent donation is a first for the historic road course. With the help of the drivers from the NASCAR Sprint Cup and IndyCar Series, The Glen was able to donate specially signed and framed prints to the captain and crew of the U.S. Navy’s newest addition – the USS New York. These prints are the only ones signed by all of the drivers from each series and are just the latest of The Glen’s efforts which have included military discounts on tickets, featuring all branches in pre-race ceremonies, supporting the Climb to Glory Charity at nearby Fort Drum, and a wide range of fly-overs. The top drivers of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series signed one of the event posters for the 2009 Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips at The Glen that was designed by renowned artist Sam Bass. The sailors of the USS New York will find the names of almost every NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver that competed at The Glen this year. The donation was made following a request from the U.S. Navy for items and memorabilia from major sites and attractions around New York State to be placed in the soon-to-be commissioned ship. The goal is to enhance the connection between the ship and the state for which it is named as well as provide numerous displays throughout the ship to represent various aspects that have formed the culture of New York.
The USS New York is the fifth ship in the LPD 17 San Antonio class of amphibious transport dock ships to be built. It is very unique from the other four ships of this class for two specific reasons. The first, and most important, is that steel from the World Trade Center wreckage was used in the construction of the bow stem of the ship. The bow stem is the part of the ship that reaches the farthest forward where it cuts through the water and also helps provide hull integrity. The second is that state names have typically been reserved for submarines but an exception was made in the case of the USS New York. George Pataki was the Governor of New York in 2001 and, following the tragic events of September 11, 2001, he sent a letter to Secretary of the Navy, Gordon England, asking the Navy to please revive the name USS New York and give it to a surface ship that would fight in the war on terror. The USS New York is currently docked in New York City for its commissioning ceremony which will be held on Saturday, November 7. The general public is welcome to tour the state-of-the-art ship until Wednesday, November 11. More information about the USS New York can be found by visiting www.ussnewyork.com.
Tickets for the entire 2010 season will go on sale to the general public (non-renewal customers) November 14, 2009. For more information, please contact the Watkins Glen International ticket office at 866-461-RACE (7223) or log on to the official website at www.TheGlen.com.(WGI)(11-9-2009)

Watkins Glen goes green: Officials at Watkins Glen International announced the continuation of their green efforts with the purchase of Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) to offset 100% of their annual electricity usage. WGI has agreed to purchase 1,000 Wind Energy RECs annually from NextEra Energy Resources. The two-year agreement will ensure The Glen uses [100%] renewable power, reducing emissions and its’ carbon footprint by using wind power. In addition to offsetting The Glen’s annual electricity use, the purchase will support the development and advancement of wind and solar energy in the United States. NextEra Energy Resources commits to invest an amount equal to 100% of the proceeds from The Glen’s REC purchase in new wind and solar energy projects across the country. NextEra Energy Resources, LLC is a competitive wholesale power generator. The company is the largest generator of wind and solar power in North America and the leading producer of hydroelectric power it the Northeastern United States. Based out of Juno Beach, Fla., NextEra Energy Resources owns nearly 90 facilities operating in 25 different states and Canada. In addition to the partnership with NextEra Energy, Watkins Glen International is also an active partner with Swathout Recycling of Beaver Dams, NY. The agreement provides fans camping at Watkins Glen International an option to participate in a curbside recycling program. Fans simply place all of their recyclables curbside in a special bag provided by WGI each night, and crews come around to collect the bags.(WGI)(8-14-2009)

No rain tires for Cup...yet UPDATE:
NASCAR president Mike Helton said more research will have to be done before fans see Sprint Cup Series cars racing in wet conditions. #24-Jeff Gordon said he isn't thrilled about the idea but enjoyed watching the 2008 Nationwide race in Montreal run in wet conditions. #39-Ryan Newman was more open to the idea but pointed out that Sprint Cup cars are heavier than Nationwide vehicles. "I think that in bad weather, NASA sends up smaller space craft instead of the big space craft and it is pretty similar," Newman said. "You don't want to risk a lot. I don't think it would be an ideal situation for all of the fans. It hasn't, per se, been done yet. It has been tested and practiced a little bit. I am all for it. I have never raced in the rain. It would be a disadvantage to me. I think it is still racing."(Rochester Democrat and Chronicle)(8-9-2009)
UPDATE: Well before the first raindrops fell at Watkins Glen International this weekend, NASCAR president Mike Helton publicly stated there were no plans in place to run a Sprint Cup road race on a wet track in the near future. But if there was ever a change of heart from the sanctioning body, Goodyear officials said Sunday the Akron-based tire company would be equal to the task. "We certainly think so," Goodyear spokesman Greg Stucker said. "There's not that big a difference between the two cars and if you go back years ago, we did run them in Japan on the Cup cars. We're confident we could have a package that would be suitable, if that's what they chose to do." In fact, Goodyear's newest stock-car racing rain tire, closely related to the Eagle One passenger tire, underwent extensive testing this past November at Goodyear's facility in Texas. They used one of Chip Ganassi's Nationwide cars with Juan Montoya behind the wheel, and from all indications, the improvements made to the tire proved successful.(NASCAR.com)(8-9-2009)

Race Officials for Watkins Glen:
The pre-race ceremony for the Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips at The Glen on Sunday, August 9 will not only include participation from local military and up-and-coming country band, TelluRide, but it will also feature executives from Heluva Good! and even fans. Scott Blake of Heluva Good! will give the command to start engines for the Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips at The Glen. Blake will act as grand marshal of the event of the 90-lap event. Blake is the Senior Vice President of Operations for Heluva Good!, which formed more than 75 years ago in Sodus, N.Y.
Jim Leonard won the experience of a lifetime by entering the Heluva Good! VIP Race Weekend Sweepstakes and will also be participating in the pre-race festivities. As a part of his prize, Leonard will get the responsibilities of the honorary starter for the Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips at The Glen. Leonard will wave the green flag to start the race at approximately 2:20pm/et.
In addition to participation from the Heluva Good! representatives, the Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips at The Glen pre-race will also feature local military troops and the up-and-coming Country band, TelluRide. Just before the command to fire engines, TelluRide will perform the American and Canadian National Anthems. Meanwhile, color guards from the ARMY's 27th Combat Brigade of Syracuse, the U.S. Niagara Falls Air Force Color Guard and the U.S. Navy Color Guard of Buffalo will join the West Point Military Police Honor Guard in presenting the nation's colors. The fly-over will be performed by the 174th Fighter Wing of Syracuse, N.Y.(WGI)(8-9-2009)

Riesbeck named to Legends of The Glen Class: Watkins Glen International announced Jim Riesbeck as the final inductee into the “Legends of The Glen” Class of 2009. After honoring the Drivers of the Decade in 2008, the Class of 2009 is composed of individuals who have had a significant influence over the history and success of Watkins Glen International. The induction was a part of the Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips at The Glen weekend, August 6-9, which featured racing by the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series—a series that Riesbeck helped bring back to The Glen more than twenty years ago. The award was accepted on Friday afternoon by members of the Riesbeck family. Family members in attendance included his brothers John and Larry Riesbeck, and his sister Mary Linda Vetter. In early 1983, Riesbeck was searching for a way to increase the economic viability of Upstate New York, which would benefit his employer, Corning, Inc. After visiting the 1983 Daytona 500, Riesbeck knew that bringing NASCAR’s top division to the region was exactly what he needed to do. He began searching for a facility near Corning, N.Y. and stumbled upon the racetrack in Watkins Glen which was for sale. At the time, The Glen was going through one of the darkest periods in its history. The Watkins Glen Grand Prix Corporation filed for bankruptcy in 1981, leaving the track to be auctioned off and all spectator events cancelled for 1982 and 1983. After looking at the facility for the first time on 1983, Riesbeck was surprised with the good condition of the track and quickly traveled back to Daytona Beach for a meeting with executives of International Speedway Corporation (ISC). Within just a few months, the two companies announced a new entity formed through their joint venture. The newly announced “Watkins Glen International” would begin hosting spectator events in 1984. Riesbeck never gave up on his dream of bringing NASCAR racing to Upstate New York and continued to work with NASCAR executives until he was successful in securing an agreement. In August 1986, Watkins Glen International hosted its first race for NASCAR’s top division in more than 21 years. After an afternoon on great racing on the 2.45-mile circuit, Tim Richmond took the checkered flag to win from the pole position. Riesbeck continued to be a driving force at The Glen until his untimely death in 1993. In appreciation of everything Riesbeck has done to make The Glen on of the premier road courses in America, Watkins Glen International presents a Steuben bowl, The Riesbeck Cup, to the winner of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race every year.(WGI)(8-8-2009)

Soldier to be honored at Watkins Glen: Staff Sgt. Jonathan Madonna will be honored as a "Hometown Hero" during the Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips at The Glen weekend at Watkins Glen International. Madonna, of North Syracuse, was injured in an explosion two years ago while serving in Iraq. He now works with the U.S. Army's Wounded Warrior Program, which helps soldiers recover from devastating injuries. At the track, Madonna will tour the garage, hauler and pit areas, and he'll meet the U.S. Army Racing Team of the Sprint Cup #39 Chevy driven by Ryan Newman. Madonna will watch the race from the grandstand, and he will talk to fans who visit the Army's Strength in Action Zone, an interactive area featuring simulators, fitness tests and other challenges that allow race fans to experience what a soldier's life is like.(Elmira Star Gazette)(8-7-2009)

Text Service available at Watkins Glen: Watkins Glen International has partnered with InStadiumSolutions (“ISS”) to implement a text-message based communication system at their facility. The service debuts this weekend, August 6-9, at Watkins Glen International, host to the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series Crown Royal 200, NASCAR Nationwide Series Zippo 200 and NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips at The Glen. The text messaging system allows fans to communicate directly with the racetrack’s command post if assistance is needed in dealing with any special needs inside the facility. The service is being provided at all International Speedway Corporation facilities and successfully debuted in May at Darlington Raceway. Texting instructions will be placed prominently throughout each facility via static signage and will be regularly broadcast through audio and video public announcements. Fans are still encouraged to dial 911 for facility emergencies.(WGI)(8-6-2009)

New York Armed Forces to highlight ceremonies at Watkins Glen: The pre-race ceremonies for the Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips at The Glen and Zippo 200 are sure to be memorable in 2009. As a special tribute to our country and our local troops, several local military groups will be participating in the pre-race festivities by providing fly-over crews and color guards. Fans can expect goose bumps from the ceremonies that involve members of the Army, NAVY, Air Force, and West Point Military Police.
Leading up to the start of the Zippo 200 on Saturday, August 8, fans will get to cheer on members of the armed forces from around New York State. During the singing of the National Anthem, color guards from all different military branches will be posted around the 2.45-mile circuit. The U.S. Niagara Falls Air Force Color Guard of Niagara Falls, N.Y., will be joined by the Army’s 27th Combat Brigade of Syracuse, N.Y., and the U.S. NAVY Color Guard of Buffalo, N.Y., to present the nation’s colors. Following the Anthem, multiple Black Hawk helicopters from the N.Y. Army National Guard of Albany will pass over the grandstands at a low altitude to amaze the fans.
The pre-race ceremony for the Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips at The Glen on Sunday, August 9, will feature even more involvement from local military. Four F-16C Fighting Falcons of the 174th Fighter Wing from Syracuse, N.Y., will stun fans as they fly over the grandstands just moments before the drivers fire their engines. Just like Saturday, colors guards will be stationed around the road course from the U.S. Niagara Falls Air Force Color Guard, the 27th Combat Brigade of Syracuse, and the U.S. NAVY Color Guard of Buffalo.
Located front-and-center, the West Point Military Police Honor Guard will present the nation’s colors from the pre-race stage at the start/finish line. Each member of the West Point Military Police Honor Guard has served the country in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. The West Point Military Police Color Guard’s primary purpose is to render military honors at military funerals for fallen comrades, but they also present the nation’s colors for various prestigious ceremonies and events. For tickets and information, please contact the Watkins Glen International ticket office at 866-461-RACE or log on to the official Watkins Glen International website at www.TheGlen.com.(WGI)(8-5-2009)

Country Stars to sing National Anthems/hold concert at Watkins Glen: The Red Cat Summer Stage at Watkins Glen International will feature some of country music’s hottest rising stars following the Zippo 200 on the night of Saturday, August 8. The concert will feature both Megan Linville and TelluRide. Linville will open the concert beginning 6:30pm/et in the Turn 10 Village, and then TelluRide will take over as the main act. Once again the concert is included in the price of admission for both Weekend and Sunday-Only ticket holders to the Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips at The Glen, August 6-9. Sunday-Only ticket holders will be permitted to enter the track starting at 5:00pm/et on Saturday evening. In addition to performing Saturday night, both TelluRide and Linville will perform the National Anthem leading up to the racing action at The Glen. Linville will perform the Canadian and American Anthems just before the Zippo 200 on Saturday afternoon. Then, minutes before the green flag falls for the Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips at The Glen, TelluRide will perform the anthems for the crowd around the 2.45-mile road course. For tickets and information, please contact the Watkins Glen International ticket office at 866-461-RACE or log on to the official Watkins Glen International website at www.TheGlen.com.(WGI)(8-4-2009)

Watkins Glen's McDonalds Family Grandstand Sold Out: Tickets in the McDonalds Family Grandstand are sold out for the Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips at The Glen weekend, August 6-9. The family-friendly grandstand offers one of the best seats in the house, allowing fans to watch the stars of the Sprint Cup Series zip through the Esses and head for the backstretch. For the first time in recent memory, the McDonald’s Family Grandstand has sold out two weeks before the green flag falls at The Glen. Other great seats at The Glen are still available for the upcoming Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips at The Glen weekend, August 6-9. For tickets and information, please contact the Watkins Glen International ticket office at 866-461-RACE or log on to the official Watkins Glen International website at www.TheGlen.com.(WGI)(7-28-2009)