Watkins Glen International will return to a September NASCAR date in 2027, placing the historic road course back near the start of the Cup Series playoffs after this season’s rare spring event.
Track president Dawn Burlew announced the change Thursday during a fan event ahead of this weekend’s NASCAR tripleheader at the 2.45-mile Finger Lakes circuit. NASCAR officials have not finalized the exact date, but the race is expected to be held during one of the opening weekends of the 10-race postseason.
The move gives Watkins Glen another playoff event after NASCAR shifted this year’s race to May, the earliest Cup Series date in track history. Before the current season, the track’s lone recent postseason race came in 2024, when Chris Buescher edged Shane van Gisbergen on the final lap in one of the most dramatic finishes at The Glen in recent years.
For decades, Watkins Glen traditionally hosted NASCAR during the late summer portion of the regular season, usually in August. The return to September also restores a road-course race to the playoff lineup after Charlotte Motor Speedwaymoved its fall event away from the Roval configuration this year.
Burlew acknowledged the challenges tied to this season’s spring date, including colder weather across the Finger Lakes region, but said track officials adapted with new event planning, seasonal decorations and merchandise geared toward cooler temperatures as one of NASCAR’s marquee weekends returned to upstate New York.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to kyle@fingerlakes1.com.