The race layout fans and drivers saw this weekend at Watkins Glen might be booted come next year’s NASCAR weekend at the upstate New York road course.
According to a report by the NASCAR Wire Service, the unused “Boot” at Watkins Glen – a nearly one-mile section that contains Turns 6 through 9 – may return to upcoming NASCAR Sprint Cup and Xfinity series races.
The layout used in this weekend’s races was 2.45 miles. If the so-called Boot is added, it would extend the distance to 3.40 miles and add two more turns for a total of nine.
The Boot, which had been the bumpiest part of the track, has been totally repaved and is used by the Tudor United Sports Car Championship. The remainder of the track began a complete repaving immediately after Sunday’s Sprint Cup race, won by Joey Logano.
“We’re discussing it with the track,” NASCAR Executive Vice President and Chief Racing Development officer Steve O’Donnell told the NWS. “It’s something we’re looking at down the road.”
If the Boot is added, The Glen would still not be the longest track on the overall NASCAR circuit. Wisconsin’s Road America, which hosts the Xfinity Series, holds that distinction at just over four miles (4.048 miles) in overall length.
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