Watkins Glen, New York, has been a mecca for motorsports on the East Coast of America since 1948, when Cameron Argetsinger started an amateur race called the Watkins Glen Grand Prix, using the town's public road system. That race became so popular that by 1956, the city decided to move the event to a new road course, and Watkins Glen International was born. The circuit had the distinction of hosting the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix for 20 years, from 1961 to 1980. Every major racing competition in American has used The Glen, including NASCAR, IndyCar, IMSA, Trans-Am, etc.
The humid continental climate in upstate New York means the track is usually damp at Watkins Glen International, and temperatures are ideal for racing most of the year. Winters are cold and snowy, not so good for motorsports. The Glen has several layouts for racing, including the Short Circuit (NASCAR course) and the Full Circuit (Grand Prix Course). The main difference between these layouts is The Boot, a four-turn succession included in the Full Circuit but not used in NASCAR races. Amateur racers and motorsports enthusiasts have the opportunity to experience the circuit with the Drive The Glen program, which uses the Grand Prix Course for public driving with some regulations (no motorcycles, RV's, etc.)
The Short Circuit is also the fastest one in Watkins Glen International, with an average speed of 97 mph. Its average lap time of 1:30.832 is almost 45 seconds faster than the average lap time in the Full Circuit. There are 11 turns in the Short Course, most of them high-speed sweepers except for the loop, a bus stop-shaped section of the track that restricts velocity after passing the back straight at full speed. When the road gets packed with competitors, it is a real challenge to go through the loop, even for the most experienced drivers.