Watkins Glen International is one of the most important road circuits in the USA, having staged the Formula One Grand Prix 20 times between 1961 and 1980 – more than any other circuit in the country.

After the first races in the area were held on temporary street circuits, the permanent race track opened in 1956, hosting its first professional NASCAR race in 1957.

The circuit soon picked up F1, and after nine years of staging the race, the most significant modifications were made to the layout. A new section, known as ‘The Boot’ was added in the south-western corner, taking the length of the circuit up to 5.4 km.

After losing the Grand Prix after 1980, the circuit was neglected for two years before being purchased and renovated. Reopening in 1984, two years later NASCAR returned to the circuit for one of only a few road races on its schedule.

In the past four decades, the only changes to the circuit layout have been the removal of the chicane at The Esses in 1984 and the addition of the inner loop in 1992.

The showpiece event is the Six Hours of Watkins Glen, a spotscar race which has been held since the first street races in 1948.