Longtime motorsports executive to give command to fire engines
for 19th year of Sahlen’s partnership with historic IMSA race
Watkins Glen International announced today that former IMSA President Scott Atherton will give the command to fire engines for the Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen on Sunday, June 27, to kick off the return of the prestigious IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship endurance race following a year off due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We look forward to welcoming Scott back to Watkins Glen to help us get the Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen started,” said WGI President Michael Printup. “His leadership in motorsports helped this race rise to the level of prominence it currently enjoys and we’re excited to honor that dedication.”
Atherton’s nearly 35 years of leadership in motorsports spans the industry, including serving as President of IMSA for 20 years (2000-2019). He was also President and CEO of Panoz Motor Sports Group for many years and co-led the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) through the merger with the Grand American Road Racing Association (GRAND-AM) under the IMSA banner in 2014. Additionally, he previously served as President at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca (Monterey, California), Nazareth Speedway (Pennsylvania) and Auto Club Speedway (Fontana, California).
Atherton remains on the Board of IMSA and is an Advisor to the IMSA management team.
“I am honored to serve as the Grand Marshal of the Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen,” said Atherton. “I have a deep connection to the sports car racing community, much like Sahlen’s has to The Glen. That loyalty and commitment is very special in motorsports.”
Sahlen Packing Company has been the entitlement partner of the race since 2003. Sahlen’s prides itself on its long-term relationship with sports car racing, The Glen and its fans.
Watkins Glen International will host the IMSA Sahlen’s Six Hours of the Glen June 24-27 and fans are welcomed with general admission access. To purchase race tickets, camping and additional information, call 1-866-461-RACE or visit www.TheGlen.com.
About Watkins Glen International
Located within five hours and 300 miles of 25 percent of the U.S. population, Watkins Glen International is the premier road racing facility in North America, four-times voted “Best NASCAR Track” by readers of USA Today. Keep up with The Glen on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. For tickets, camping, and additional information, call 1-866-461-RACE or visit www.TheGlen.com.
2021 Watkins Glen International Schedule
May 21-23 – Ferrari Challenge North America
June 18-20 – SCCA Majors Super Tour
June 24-27 – IMSA Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen
July 1-2 – IMSA WeatherTech 240 at The Glen
July 9-11 – Masters & HSR Weekend
August 4-8 – NASCAR Go Bowling at The Glen
September 9-12 – Hilliard U.S. Vintage Grand Prix
September 16-19 – GT World Challenge America
October 29-30 – Finger Lakes Beer Festival Presented by Chemung Canal Trust Co.
2021 Watkins Glen International NASCAR Weekend Schedule
August 6 – ARCA Menards Series Clean Harbors 100 at The Glen
August 7 – NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Race
August 7 – NASCAR Xfinity Series Race
August 8 – NASCAR Cup Series Go Bowling at The Glen
About NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) is the sanctioning body for the No. 1 form of motorsports in the United States and owner of 16 of the nation’s major motorsports entertainment facilities. NASCAR consists of three national series (NASCAR Cup Series™, NASCAR Xfinity Series™, and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series™), four regional series (ARCA Menards Series, ARCA Menards Series East & West and the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour), one local grassroots series (NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series) and three international series (NASCAR Pinty’s Series, NASCAR Peak Mexico Series, NASCAR Whelen Euro Series). The International Motor Sports Association™ (IMSA®) governs the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship™, the premier U.S. sports car series. NASCAR also owns Motor Racing Network, Racing Electronics and ONE DAYTONA. Based in Daytona Beach, Florida, with offices in eight cities across North America, NASCAR sanctions more than 1,200 races in more than 30 U.S. states, Canada, Mexico and Europe. For more information visit www.NASCAR.com and www.IMSA.com, and follow NASCAR on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat (‘NASCAR’).
