Camping World Watkins Glen Grand Prix

Indycar race infobox
Name=Camping World Watkins Glen Grand Prix
Track_

Venue=Watkins Glen International
Sponsor=Camping World
First race=1979
First IRL race=2005
Distance=202.5 miles
Laps=60
Previous names=Kent Oil 150 (1979-1980)

Watkins Glen 200 (1981)

Watkins Glen Indy Grand Prix Presented by Argent Mortgage (2005)

Watkins Glen Indy Grand Prix Presented by Tissot (2006)

The Camping World Watkins Glen Grand Prix is an Indy Racing League IndyCar Series race held at Watkins Glen International road course in Watkins Glen, New York.

The CART series held the first American open wheel racing events at the circuit from 1979-1981. It was held during the waining years of the Formula One United States Grand Prix. At the time the popular track was starting to lose some of its image, and by 1981, fell into disrepair. The Formula One race was cancelled for 1981, and for that year, the CART race took over its traditional October date.

From 1979-1980, the CART series utilized the 2.428-mile short course. In 1981, the "Boot" segment was utilized, and the Scheckter Chicane was removed, resulting in a 3.377 mile layout.

The IRL IndyCar Series debuted at the track in 2005. Since its inception, the IRL race has utilized the full 3.403 mile circuit, similar to the U.S. Grand Prix layout, including the "Boot" but also including the "Inner Loop" bus stop chicane that was build in 1992.

In its first year, the race was scheduled for the traditional fall date. In 2006, however, it was moved to the week after the Indianapolis 500. The move proved very unpopular, and was met with cool temperatures and rain. After only one season on that date, for 2007, the race was moved to Independence Day weekend. Coupling the race with July 4 has been well-received by fans and competitors.

On June 28, 2007, Camping World signed a four-year deal to be the title sponsor of the race through 2010. [http://www.star-gazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070628/SPORTS0201/706280329/1002]

Past winners

=Indy Pro Series/Indy Lights Series history=

References

* [http://www.indycar.com http://www.indycar.com]
* [http://www.champcarstats.com http://www.champcarstats.com]

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