JOHN KEKIS
FILE - In this Aug. 5, 2018, file photo, Denny Hamlin (11), Chase Elliott (9) and Erik Jones (20) come around Turn 1 during a NASCAR Cup Series auto race in Watkins Glen, N.Y. Three months after its opening day was canceled by the coronavirus pandemic, Watkins Glen International is hosting car clubs again as NASCAR weekend looms in mid-August. “Everybody is excited about getting back in the saddle. I know we are," track president Michael Printup said. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson, File)
Watkins Glen open again, optimistic for NASCAR weekend

By John Kekis Jul. 02, 2020 02:18 AM EDT
The roar is back at New York's Thunder Road. Three months

In this Oct. 18, 2018, photo, drivers are lined up on the track for the start of the small-block modified feature race during the 57th annual Eastern States Weekend races at the Orange County Fair Speedway in Middletown, N.Y. The track was lengthened to its current distance, 5/8 of a mile, and in 1924 a unique form of clay was trucked in from a pond in nearby Goshen. Annual races were held and regularly attracted 25,000, and after a hiatus for World War II, the stock car was born and the track flourished. It attracted some of the all-time greats, Al Unser, Mario Andretti, and Bobby Allison among them, and capacity crowds. (Kelly Marsh/Times Herald-Record via AP)
Orange County Fair Speedway celebrates centennial

By John Kekis Aug. 17, 2019 02:58 AM EDT
MIDDLETOWN, N.Y. (AP) — Brett Hearn won't forget his first race at Orange County Fair

Chase Elliott does a celebratory burnout in front of his pit crew after winning a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Watkins Glen International, Sunday, Aug. 4, 2019, in Watkins Glen, N.Y. (AP Photo/John Munson)
Chase Elliott wins NASCAR Cup race at Watkins Glen again

By John Kekis Aug. 04, 2019 12:59 PM EDT
WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. (AP) — Chase Elliott put an emphatic end to his summer-long

Jimmie Johnson (48) heads into Turn 1 during a practice for the NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Watkins Glen International, Saturday, Aug. 3, 2019, in Watkins Glen, N.Y. (AP Photo/John Munson)
Jimmie Johnson likes what he sees in new crew chief

By John Kekis Aug. 03, 2019 09:27 PM EDT
WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. (AP) — It's been five days since slump-ridden Jimmie Johnson

Chase Elliott (9) drives through the area of the course called "The Bus Stop" during a practice run for the NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Watkins Glen International, Saturday, Aug. 3, 2019, in Watkins Glen, New York. (AP Photo/John Munson)
Chase Elliott wins pole at The Glen for Sunday's Cup race

By John Kekis Aug. 03, 2019 08:13 PM EDT
WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. (AP) — Chase Elliott has won the pole for the NASCAR Cup race

Kyle Busch (18) closely pursues Ryan Blaney (12) just before spinning out in a NASCAR Xfinity Series auto race at Watkins Glen International, Saturday, Aug. 3, 2019, in Watkins Glen, New York. (AP Photo/John Munson)
Austin Cindric wins NASCAR Xfinity race at The Glen

By John Kekis Aug. 03, 2019 06:12 PM EDT
WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. (AP) — Austin Cindric's dad never wanted him to be a racer. Dad

Jimmie Johnson (48) heads into turn one during a practice run for the NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Watkins Glen International, Saturday, Aug. 3, 2019, in Watkins Glen, New York. (AP Photo/John Munson)
Chase Elliott returns to The Glen looking to repeat

By John Kekis Aug. 03, 2019 05:25 PM EDT
WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. (AP) — Chase Elliott is back at Watkins Glen International where

Matt Sampson, left, and Chase Briscoe, right, hold up a NASCAR Xfinity Series auto race championship trophy, Saturday, July 27, 2019, at Iowa Speedway in Newton, Iowa. (AP Photo/Matthew Putney)
Chase Briscoe on the rise in Xfinity Series

By John Kekis Aug. 02, 2019 09:48 PM EDT
WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. (AP) — Six days after his first Xfinity Series victory of the

In this April 5, 2019 photo shows the back of a van that runs on vegetable oil that had competed in the Green Grand Prix at Watkins Glen International in upstate New York's Finger Lakes region. The Green Grand Prix is only one of its kind in the United States sanctioned and insured by the Sports Car Club of America. (AP Photo/John Kekis)
After 15 years, Green Grand Prix still thriving at The Glen

By John Kekis May. 02, 2019 02:34 AM EDT
WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. (AP) — It's a cold day in early April, rain and sleet are pelting