Watkins Glen, located in the southern tip of Seneca Lake, is the spiritual home of road racing in the USA, with crowds flocking to see races since the 1940s. The first race took place on a challenging 6.6 mile course that encompassed asphalt, cement and dirt roads in and around the village. Permission had to be sought to close a section of railroad for the duration of the races, as the course passed directly over it.
