Before the ARCA Menards Series embarks on a busy stretch of dirt and short tracks to close out the summer, drivers and teams will visit Watkins Glen International this weekend.
Venturini Motorsports looking for it’s first road course victory of the season will unload a capable fleet; led by drivers Lawless Alan, Isabela Robusto, Kris Wright and road course specialist Alon Day.
The historic road course was the site of the United States Grand Prix from 1961-80. Watkins Glen has thrived following Formula One’s departure with the prestigious Six Hours of the Glen and an annual NASCAR Cup Series date, but it has also hosted events for the IndyCar Series and NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour.
In 2001, the ARCA Menards Series made its inaugural visit to Watkins Glen, an event that saw John Finger take home the checkered flag after a chaotic finish. The series made its formal return to Watkins Glen in 2021, and since, four different drivers have found their way to the facility’s storied Victory Lane.
A fresh group of ARCA Menards Series competitors look to join an elite list of names that have won at Watkins Glen across numerous disciplines. Precision and poise will be two key components to mastering Watkins Glen, as the track’s layout provides high speeds but also passing opportunities in the few heavy braking zones.
Connor Zilisch dominated last year’s ARCA Menards Series event at Watkins Glen International with Pinnacle Racing Group, winning by 12.8 seconds over William Sawalich.
Zilisch will not be in the field to defend his triumph Friday afternoon, but PRG is primed to be up front again with current ARCA Menards Series championship leader Brenden “Butterbean” Queen behind the wheel. Boasting five victories on his resume in 2025, Queen looks to continue his stellar season with his first road-course victory.
Among those Queen will have to contest at Watkins Glen is his burgeoning rival in Brent Crews, who is back in the No. 18 Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing. Known for his road-course prowess that includes a Trans Am Championship TA2 title, Crews nearly won in the first road-course event of 2025 at Lime Rock Park earlier in the year, but his day was derailed due to a restart violation.
Nitro Motorsports benefitted from Crews’ mistake that day by visiting Victory Lane with Thomas Annunziata, another Trans Am TA2 alum, behind the wheel. For Friday’s trip to Watkins Glen, Nitro will have Thad Moffitt behind the wheel of their No. 70 Toyota; Moffitt scored three top fives in his lone full-time Trans Am TA2 season in 2023.
Making his debut on the ARCA Menards Series platform this weekend is Tristan McKee, who is piloting the No. 77 Gainbridge Chevrolet for Spire Motorsports. McKee has quickly garnered a reputation as a promising young prospect, having won at North Wilkesboro Speedway and at Watkins Glen in July with Trans Am TA2.
Other drivers set to compete at Watkins Glen include Andy Jankowiak, Alon Day, Tyler Reif, Dale Quarterley, Ryan Gemmell and Glen Reen.
