By alley - May 13, 2016, 1:24 PM ET

INDYCAR: Watkins Glen race confirmed

Watkins Glen will officially host a Labor Day weekend race to replace the canceled Boston street race, IndyCar and track officials announced today. The event, set for Sept. 1-4, will include Indy Lights presented by Cooper Tires and the Verizon IndyCar series. Tickets will go on sale next week.

"It’s great to have the Verizon IndyCar Series return to Watkins Glen," said Jay Frye, INDYCAR president of competition and operations. "A tremendous amount of thanks goes to track president Michael Printup and his entire staff for their efforts in helping make this a reality in such a short time frame. We got the news a couple weeks ago that something was going on, and that might have been around 5:00, and by 5:01 I was talking to this gentleman on the phone, and from that it kind of led a life of its own.

"It certainly was great interest on his behalf, great interest on our behalf. We were thinking more about 2017, but obviously we're a year ahead. All the rumors, all the enthusiasm that we saw from the rumors was going on was very, very high, so we couldn't be more pleased to go back to Watkins Glen. It's a great facility, great history, and again, we can't thank Michael and his staff enough for being willing to do this on such short notice. So far, so good."

IndyCar raced at The Glen from 1979-81 and again from 2005-10. The first two events were run on the 2.4-mile short course, both won by Bobby Unser. The race moved to the 3.4-mile long course in 1981, when Rick Mears drove to victory. When the series returned in 2005, Scott Dixon won three straight before Ryan Hunter-Reay took the checked flag in 2008 for Rahal Letterman Racing. Justin Wilson's memorable win in 2009 gave Dale Coyne Racing its first-ever victory. The last IndyCar race at The Glen took place on July 4, 2010, which Will Power won.

"This belongs at Watkins Glen International," Printup said. "Scott [Dixon] and I had a moment just prior to walking in here, it's so nice to see. It's so great to walk around here and feel the electricity here. Can't wait to do it again up in Watkins Glen. It was just an awesome time working with Jay and the team, and we couldn't be happier. In less than two weeks putting together a major motorsports deal? I'd like anybody to beat that. I wouldn't want anybody to beat it, because Jay and I own it."

The track has undergone a complete repaving which Printup estimated to cost about $11 million. In some sections, he said, "we took the track all the way down, in some sections all the way down to dirt and started from the bottom up." Several IMSA teams

recently tested on the pavement

. Safety improvements include added curbing, more catch fence and a run-off into every corner.

"I love these old-school road courses that America has, and that is at the top of the list," Dixon said. "I know not just myself but everybody amongst the drivers has been talking about it. They can't wait to get back there. They can't wait to hopefully schedule a test if we have any test days left to make it back to The Glen."

Officials did say they will address possible accomodations for Boston ticket-holders.

The current agreement is just for this season, but Printup said the two sides hope to keep talking.

"The goal is for Jay and I and Stephen to continue these conversations," he said. "Let's watch the success, let's earn it. We know we both have to earn that all the way through.