WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. (WENY) — NASCAR is just a few days away at Watkins Glen International. With the clock ticking down, local business owners are putting the finishing touches on their preparations for the early influx of people.

"From an amenities package, they're getting less amenities. What we've done to compensate that is we are opening our food services a little bit early to give them a treat that way,” explained Matthew Bush, general manager of the Watkins Glen-Corning KOA Resort.

For the first time, NASCAR will be taking over The Glen in May, forcing local business owners and managers, like Bush, to switch things up early in the season.

Bush said he believes there are two sides to the date change. On one hand, he believes the overall NASCAR attendance will be lower. He explained that reservations at the KOA resort are not as full as they would be if the race were in August. He said, on the other hand, it gives local businesses an early economic boost.

"If NASCAR happens in the spring or in the fall when we typically don't have a large amount of tourism business, it's a shot in the arm for the tourism industry from the standpoint of lodging,” Bush explained. “So lodging is getting a boom that we wouldn't normally get in May."

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I heard someone say on Sunday that there were like 400 camping sites available still.

23 minutes ago, Chris said:

I heard someone say on Sunday that there were like 400 camping sites available still.

I heard a lot of people are trying to sell the ones they already have. Why did they decide to move the race?

20 minutes ago, Mike said:

Why did they decide to move the race?

I think they added a new track this year and they got that date.

17 minutes ago, Mike said:

Why did they decide to move the race?

My understanding is that they added a few locations/races...and shuffled a bunch to make room for the new ones.

I have a feeling this Facebook group is going to be entertaining to watch over the next couple of days.

2 hours ago, Mike said:

Why did they decide to move the race?

A track or race of some sort in CA they are adding. Not normal Nascar type race either. Someone told me about it the other night but my only interest in Nascar anymore is my race pool and I don't need to know the rest for that.

What I don't like are the people who are blaming Watkins Glen corporate. They had zero to say or do about it other than figure out how to make it work.

Edited May 6May 6 by KarenK

1 hour ago, KarenK said:

What I don't like are the people who are blaming Watkins Glen corporate.

I’ve seen a few blaming “the new president.”

Dawn’s a lot smarter than that folks. She has no control over NASCAR.

LMAO I just saw this:

JUST IN:

WATKINS GLEN INTERNATIONAL — (WENY) -- A lot of NASCAR fans have expressed their opinions about having the race weekend at Watkins Glen International in May this year. But what about next year? 

"There's a whole bunch of series that puts it all together, the calendars and everything. So, we're looking at having our race in September of 2027 and being in 'the Chase' next year. That's pretty exciting for the team here at The Glen, and we'll be ready for it," said WGI Track President, Dawn Burlew.

Burlew made the announcement to a crowd of race fans during a Camper Welcome Party at the track on Thursday evening.

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