For the 2^nd year in a row, the Sahlen’s Sports Car Springfest will kick off the racing season at Watkins Glen International.   For the weekend, Sports Cars of all types and speed will be competing in the American Endurance Racing event.  At the inaugural event in 2016, a full grid of 75 race cars took the green flag.  For this year’s event, a similar full field is expected to take the green flag, driving under the Sahlen’s bridge just before the start/finish line at this historic sports car circuit.

The race weekend will kick off with Sahlen’s hosting the Friday night tailgate party.   Sahlen’s Hot Dogs and Sausages will of course be the highlight to the evening’s festivities.  Then on Saturday, the 1^st of the weekend’s 9 hour Endurance races will commence at 9 am.  Sunday will see the American Endurance Racing series line up again for another 9 hour Endurance Race.  At the conclusion of Sunday, Winners in each of the series 3 classes will be announced for their combined finishes for the weekend’s 2 races. 

Joe Sahlen of Sahlen Packing shared his thoughts on returning as both a sponsor of the event and as a competitor in the series. “I have been coming to Watkins Glen since the 1970s.  It was always one of Anita’s  and my favorite summer destinations.  And I know that this still holds true for so many race fans today.   This is why I am so proud to be able to presenting 3 events at Watkins Glen each year.   Sponsoring the American Endurance Racing event is extra special because each year it is the 1^st race of the season for Watkins Glen International.  Ironically, this weekend will be the 1^st event of the season for Team Sahlen.  Our last race was way back in October at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course for American Endurance Racing’s season finale.  The competition and racing at the Mid-Ohio race was both fun and intense.  At the conclusion of each day we finished in 2^nd place overall.  We are geared up and ready to return to the Glen this coming weekend to repeat our overall victory here at last year’s event.   We know it won’t be easy, but having tough competition will make securing the overall top spot even more special.”

John Kolesa, President of American Endurance Racing shared his thoughts on the partnership with Sahlen’s Packing Company, - “American Endurance Racing is so excited to have Sahlen’s returning as our partner for our annual event at the historic Watkins Glen International.  Sahlen’s long history with The Glen and racing will surely continue to evolve this into a fantastic event for all to experience this year and in the years to come.”

The Sahlen’s Sports Car Springfest is the 1^st of 3 race weekends that Sahlen’s will be presenting at Watkins Glen International in 2017.  For the 2^nd year in a row Sahlen’s will also be presenting the ChumpCar World Series Endurance event held at the end of May.  The event is titled as “Sahlen’s Chumpyard DOG at the Glen”.  This event is soon becoming a Memorial Day classic for race enthusiasts.  The capstone to Sahlen’s involvement with Watkins Glen International will be the 15^th edition of the Sahlen’s Six Hours of the Glen.  This partnership, dating back to 2002, is the longest running entitlement sponsorship at the Glen. The Sahlen’s Six Hours of the Glen event hosts the WeatherTech Sports Car Championship series.  Additionally this event is 1 of 4 races that encompass the Tequila Patron North American Endurance Championship.  The additional 3 events include the ROLEX 24 Hours at Daytona, the Sebring 12 Hours and the Petit LeMans at Road Atlanta.  These 4 events combined are part of the elite top Endurance races that are held worldwide each year.

Sahlen Packing Company

Sahlen Packing Company, a leading producer of premium quality meat products in Western New York, is known for their high quality hot dogs, sausages, and deli meats. Founded in 1869 in Buffalo, New York as a family business, Sahlen’s continues to be the name behind Western New York’s favorite hot dogs.

American Endurance Racing

The American Endurance Racing series enters their 4^th season in 2017 with a 7 event schedule throughout the Midwest.  The Season Opener was in February at Road Atlanta.  After the Glen, the series will head to New Jersey Motorsports Park in May.  Then in August the series will visit the Autobahn Country Club for a “dusk till dawn” event.  September will see the series head to Summit Pont Motorsports Park.

The penultimate event will be at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in October.  The series will then conclude at the National Corvette Museum in November.  At each weekend, there are 2 races held on Saturday and Sunday.  Each day’s race is typically 8-9 hours each. 

Watkins Glen International

Located within five (5) hours (~300 miles) of 25% of the US population, Watkins Glen International is the premier road racing facility in North America, recently voted “Best NASCAR Track” by readers of USA Today. Keep up with The Glen on Facebook and Twitter. Download The Glen’s free mobile app from the App Store or Google Play.