Does NASCAR ever use the full course at Watkins Glen International? All you need to know

NASCAR has been holding Cup Series races at the historic Watkins Glen International since 1986 and it has been a track that has seen winners like Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart, Kyle Larson, Chase Elliot, and others. While it is a significant part of NASCAR's history, the stock car racing sport doesn't make use of the entire track, with the main reason being related to longer races with shorter laps.

The track is located in Watkins Glen, New York, and is a 3.377 mile (5.435) long road course that has an asphalt surface type, with 6-10 degree turns on its bankings. While the entire course spans approximately four miles, NASCAR races only take place on 2.45 miles (3.78 km) of the track, covering 11 turns of the historic track.

The part of the track that it doesn't cover is also known as 'The Boot' which is a mile-long section that has four corners. By avoiding this section of the track, laps are shorter, which allows for more laps per race. The NASCAR race at the Watkins Glen International, also known as the Go Bowling! At the Glen Race, had 92 laps in the 2024 version of the race, and 90 laps in the 2023 version.

The way that 'The Glen' is designed only allows fans to see the cars go around the tracks at specific points - if the entire track is used, it decreases the number of laps that would be run, and fans would see the cars go around fewer times. Lastly, avoiding 'The Boot' section of the track allows for a long straight after the 'outer loop' which acts as an effective passing zone during the race.

The Go Bowling! 2024 race in September saw Roush Fenway-Keselowski Racing's Chris Buescher score his only victory in the season after he started the race in 24th. Shane Van Gisbergen, Carson Hocevar, Ross Chastain, and Zane Smith closed out the top 5 of the race.

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NASCAR driver Juan Pablo Montoya returned to Watkins Glen International after a decade

Juan Pablo Montoya (50) drives during the Go Bowling at The Glen at Watkins Glen International.- Source: Imagn

The 2024 race at The Glen saw the return of Colombian racing car driver, Juan Pablo Montoya, who returned to NASCAR after a decade-long hiatus from the sport. The 49-year-old racing driver, who has competed in F1, Indycar, IMSA, and other divisions, joined the 23XI Racing team this past September for a one-off return to the stock car-racing sport.

Montoya raced in the Cup Series from 2007 to 2013 and won at Watkins Glen in 2010. His return earlier this year made it his 256th start in NASCAR, with the Bogota native completing the race in 32nd. His return adds another story to the history of this iconic track.