WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. — Watkins Glen Int’l announced Thursday, ahead of the 2018 Verizon IndyCar Series schedule release, that the INDYCAR Grand Prix at the Glen will not return to the track’s calendar next season.
A statement from the track confirmed the news, with Portland Int’l Raceway being heavily rumored as the replacement venue for the Glen on next year’s calendar.
Track officials did not rule out another potential return to the Glen for IndyCar in the future, however, citing issues finding a suitable date for all parties as the sole reason for IndyCar’s departure.
“After two years of partnership, Watkins Glen International and IndyCar have agreed to separate for the 2018 season,” track officials said in a released statement. “This is a decision based purely on an inability to find a date that works for the fans, the series and the track.”
“Watkins Glen International and IndyCar will continue to maintain a positive working relationship and will keep the lines of communication open, should opportunities become available in the future that work for everyone.”
The 3.40 mile New York road course returned to the IndyCar calendar in 2016, following a five-year hiatus.
Scott Dixon won that event, while Alexander Rossi picked up his second-career series win in this season’s edition of the race after a thrilling late-race duel with Dixon.
In total, the Glen has featured 11 Indy car races, going back to American open wheel racing’s debut at the facility in 1979 with what was then the CART championship.
Bobby Unser won the first two Indy car races at the Glen, while Dixon is the all-time wins leader at the track with four victories (2005-2007, 2016).
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Jacob Seelman is the Managing Editor of Race Chaser Online and creator of the Motorsports Madness radio show, airing at 7 p.m. Eastern every Monday on the Performance Motorsports Network.
Seelman grew up in the sport, watching his grandparents co-own the RaDiUs Motorsports NASCAR Cup Series team in the 1990s.
The 23-year-old is currently studying Broadcast Journalism at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, S.C., and is also serving as the full-time tour announcer for the Must See Racing Sprint Car Series.
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