NASCAR’s 2026 weekend at Watkins Glen is shifting from August to May, giving the Finger Lakes tourism season an early boost, according to the Ithaca Journal.
The “Go Bowling at The Glen” event will now run May 8–10, landing on Mother’s Day weekend. Local businesses and campgrounds plan to open early to meet fan demand, despite concerns about unpredictable spring weather.
Supporters say the move spreads out tourist traffic and injects new energy into the region’s slower spring months. State parks and inns are already prepping for a surge in reservations.
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