Opinion Chicago Street race success has a strong tie to Watkins Glen International.

[raceannouncer]

Chicago Street race success has a strong tie to Watkins Glen International.​

On a number of occasions, I have stated that in recent history, WGI seems to be the "training grounds" for NASCAR's current and experienced crop of talented people...normally, I don't like creating "lists" of anything, especially when it comes down to people. I don't want to miss anyone who belongs on such a list or pass along inaccurate information--but here goes (in no particular order): John Saunders, the first WGI president that I remember working for, who has gone on to work in numerous NASCAR executive positions and currently holds the title of the sanctioning body's Senior Advisor; J.J. O'Malley my first "boss" who, among other career paths, holds a resume of 33 years with ISC/NASCAR, including 14 years as Director of Communications at Watkins Glen International as well as working with Homestead-Miami Speedway, ISC Publications, GRAND-AM and IMSA.

Two former sales Directors at The Glen, Keith Green and Roger Curtis, with whom I also worked, both eventually moved on from The Glen; Curtis was named Michigan International Speedway President, Green went on to be named to Richmond Raceway as their PR Director; former WGI PR director Scott Rovn followed a similar path to Phoenix International Raceway, joining former WGI president, Brian Sperber;

Former WGI track President Craig Rust, moved on to the same position at Chicagoland Speedway and is now at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in the same role. Others include The late WGI Safety Team Director, Ernie Thurston, who was hired by NASCAR to hold the same title overseeing the series' entire "armada"; my late PA announcing colleagues, Al Robinson (he was also a past Dover Speedway PR Director) and the late Jim Mueller (we teamed up at WGI, Daytona, Phoenix, Auto Club Speedway, Rockingham Raceway, Homestead-Miami Speedway, Nazareth Speedway (He was also lead announcer at other venues: Michigan International Speedway and Chicagoland Speedway).

Recently (at the end of June), long-time WGI President, Michael Printup retired. His time with WGI/NASCAR showed his versatility as he wore 2 "hats": not only did he head up WGI, he was simultaneously handling executive leadership of Americrown, NASCAR's food catering service. (along with a couple of others!)

But the latest WGI alumni success story is also tied to NASCAR's most recent "big-time" event, "The Grant Park 220" street race in Chicago. Former WGI PR Director, Julie Geise, has enjoyed a hard-earned, distinguished career path. After leaving the Glen, she headed to Daytona where she was involved with numerous projects, eve such as promoting the track's $400 million renovation project; in 2018, she was named Phoenix International Raceway President, heading up the $178 million track renovation at Phoenix. So, it was no mystery to many in the industry that she was tabbed for the most ambitious NASCAR event yet, the President of the Inaugural Grant Park 220 Chicago street-course race.
For many years, WGI's "tagline" was "Racing...Only Twisted". The same can be said of the many NASCAR career paths with experience tied to Upstate NY Finger Lakes' world-renowned "home track"

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[leadfoot4]

Mike, while I understand your mention of how people from the area have risen through the ranks of NASCAR, and were then able to showcase their talents at the Chicago race, I, for one, think the race itself, was simply a fiasco. The "track" itself, is much too narrow, especially in the area of the turns, to allow for any real amount of passing, as well as forcing the tire barriers, which are needed, to be too close to the track. And if and when someone spins, again because the "track" is so narrow, they practically block the track, leading to more cars piling in.

The only thing worse than this deal, is the abortion of a "race" that's held at the LA Coliseum.

Just my $0.02 worth

 

[raceannouncer]

"And if and when someone spins, again because the "track" is so narrow, they practically block the track, leading to more cars piling in."

Kinda sounds like Martinsville, eh?...

 

[leadfoot4]

"And if and when someone spins, again because the "track" is so narrow, they practically block the track, leading to more cars piling in."

Kinda sounds like Martinsville, eh?...

Again, I understand your point, but at least at Martinsville, there aren't any 3-4 foot high barriers both on the inside of the turns, as well as outside, which block the driver's ability to see ahead, and possibly take evasive action, no matter how limited it might be. In a similar fashion, I never understood the reasoning behind the inside wall at Oswego Speedway. It restricts the driver's ability to see a significant distance ahead, almost like driving into a tunnel.

 

[BOZO6106]

The inside wall at Oswego was part of the blame in Shampines death.

 

[leadfoot4]

The inside wall at Oswego was part of the blame in Shampines death.

Yes, I'm certain that it was. Sadly, I was in attendance at Oswego, that fateful evening, and that tragedy occurred right in front of where I was sitting. I unfortunately watched that entire situation unfold......