With loss of IndyCar, The Glen to host 3 Grand-Am races

Sports car fans have come to expect some of the most exciting racing of the GRAND-AM Rolex Series and Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge seasons to take place at Watkins Glen International and 2011 should be no exception. A total of three GRAND-AM sanctioned races will be held at the Soul of American Road Racing during the 63rd year of racing in Watkins Glen. The GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series and Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge will pair-up for an electrifying weekend of racing during the 30th Running of the Sahlen’s Six Hours of the Glen, June 3-5, and the Rolex Series will return for the Crown Royal 200 during the Heluva Good Sour Cream Dips at The Glen weekend, August 11-14.

“GRAND-AM continues to be a mainstay on our race schedule and we are thrilled to host this exciting sports car racing three times in 2011," said Michael Printup, president of Watkins Glen International. “The fact that we are hosting the 30th Running of the Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen shows the staying power of sports car racing at WGI and the passion our fans have for the sport."

The 30th Running of the Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen will be held on Saturday, June 5 with an expected start time in the early afternoon. The Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge will compete in the Continental Tire 150 at The Glen during the weekend and other yet-to-be-announced support series are expected to be released at a later date.

The Crown Royal 200 was traditionally been held on Friday evening following NASCAR Sprint Cup Series qualifying but the race was shifted to form a doubleheader with the Zippo 200 Nationwide Series race in 2010. The combination of the Crown Royal 200 and Zippo 200 on Saturday, August 13, will give fans two marquee races in one day of action for a great value.