Canadian Tire to Sponsor Watkins Glen Event

[Editor's Note: Yet another CART sponsor that fell into NASCAR hands after Tony George started the IRL, split the sport, and nearly destroyed it. The amount of destruction caused by Tony George's action (and all the minions who supported him) continues to mount.] Watkins Glen International and Canadian Tire, the largest automotive retailer in Canada, have agreed to a partnership that makes Canadian Tire the title sponsor of the historic road course's GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series race during the Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips at The Glen weekend, August 11-14. The newly titled "Canadian Tire 200 at The Glen" will be broadcast live on SPEED and is scheduled to take the green flag at 6 p.m. ET on Saturday, August 13.

"Watkins Glen International is a destination for so many passionate Canadian race fans making this a perfect partnership," said Michael Printup, president of Watkins Glen International. "WGI is recognized as the premier road racing facility in North America making us the perfect platform for Canadian Tire to connect not only with fans from Upstate New York but across the entire United States. We are thrilled to have them join our family of incredible partners and look forward to another electrifying night of racing by Scott Pruett, Max Angelelli, David Donohue, and the rest of the GRAND-AM Rolex Series."

"As Canada's authority in all things automotive, Canadian Tire has a long history of supporting automotive racing and motorsports in Canada," said Allan MacDonald, senior vice-president, automotive. "On August 13, we are proud to extend our support across the border at Watkins Glen International by sponsoring the Canadian Tire 200. Through our sponsorships we help bring the excitement of professional racing to Canadian racing fans and automotive enthusiasts."

The Canadian Tire 200 will be the final act of an action-packed day of racing at legendary Watkins Glen International. The drivers of the NASCAR Nationwide Series will get the day off to a roaring start with qualifying at 9:45 a.m. The stars of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series will then take to the track for their qualifying session starting at 11:40 a.m. The excitement will continue to build with the Nationwide Series hitting the twists and turns of The Glen for the Zippo 200 at 2 p.m. before the GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series takes the green flag for the Canadian Tire 200.