Watkins Glen rejoining NASCAR's Chase schedule in 2027

Watkins Glen has not held a lap of NASCAR racing yet this weekend, but it has already announced its plans for the future.

More specifically, where it will fall on the NASCAR schedule.

The 2.45-mile road course in New York will be one of the 10 races in the Chase next year. It will be held in September, but the exact date has not yet been announced. And it will likely be the only road course race in the Chase as the Charlotte Roval has come off the season. There is no road course in the Chase this season.

Watkins Glen was last a Chase race in 2024.

“People actually really liked that recognition for The Glen as well as all our fans that come here,” track president Dawn Burlew told NASCAR.com. “So being in [the Chase] going forward, I think they’re going to be thrilled that we’re at the first part of that and really kind of set the stage for the rest of the playoff season. So again, if we can be part of that and kick it off, there’s no better place than to do it at The Glen.”

Watkins Glen had traditionally fallen in the summer-to-fall months on the NASCAR schedule since its debut in 1957. However, this year it was moved to Mother’s Day weekend, the earliest it has ever been, which has received mixed feedback around the timing and the weather gamble in that part of the country.

Two pieces of the 2027 schedule have now been confirmed, even if Watkins Glen doesn’t have a confirmed date. NASCAR previously announced that the season-opening Daytona 500 will be held Feb. 21.