When Formula 1 visited Watkins Glen in 1961 for the first Watkins Glen U. S. Grand Prix, it was the beginning of what would become a tradition at the circuit each Fall through 1980.
Innes Ireland won the inaugural running, with drivers such as Jim Clark, Graham Hill, Jackie Stewart, Niki Lauda, Emerson Fittipaldi and James Hunt among the winners of the Grand Prix.
The circuit was expanded in 1971, as the 1970s brought a wide variety of competition to The Glen, including CART. Financial difficulties led to the Watkins Glen date being dropped from the Formula 1 schedule and as a result, the bankrupt track closed following a CART race in 1981.
The Glen reopened on July 7, 1984, with Al Holbert, Derek Bell and Jim Adams winning the inaugural Camel Continental at the renovated facility.
On Aug. 3, 2004, the Indy Racing League announced it would race on the historic 3.4-mile, 11-turn long-course at Watkins Glen International on Sept. 25, 2005. Scott Dixon claimed the inaugural victory on the circuit.
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