NASCAR fans enjoy day two of setup for weekend at the Glen

WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. (WETM) – NASCAR fans who are camping at Watkins Glen International walked around the grounds Thursday as crews continued to set up the historic track for the weekend at the Glen.

For the first time, fans heard an engine roaring on the main strip. The “Go Bowling Pin Car” was rolled out and then took a test drive. Two alleys at “Go Bowling at the Glen” will open at 10 a.m. on Friday. The bowling alley is free. The first race, the Arca Menards Series, will hit the gas later that day at 6 p.m.

Workers are also finishing to set up several “fan experience zones.” NASCAR will have a kids zone that will include video games, racing remote-controlled cars, building Legos, and using markers to draw on a white NASCAR vehicle.

People with spoke with said they are enjoying another beautiful day at the Glen. We asked people what they loved the most.

“What do you love the most about it?

“It’s just the excitement, the sounds of the cars rockin and rollin,” said Rodney Facteau, from Camden, New York. “We’re here to race and have a good time.”

“This race is typically a month earlier, but this is the perfect weekend for it,” said Evan Hackett, from Rochester, New York. “I think it’s a good spot in the NASCAR schedule. It’s going to be an exciting race. I think a lot of people are going to come out, and I’m just happy to be a part of it.”

We also saw soldiers from the New York National Guard setting up a recruitment post.

“We always have a great time here, it’s a great community,” said Sgt. Robert Wightman. “I have a lot of fun and I get to talk to a lot of people.”

“For me it’s the environment, all the race fans, the memories you make,” said Andrew Johnson from North Carolina.

Noah Whitney told us it was his first experience at a NASCAR event.

“Before this I’ve never been a NASCAR fan. So, getting out here with this environment… I’ve been to NFL games and all of that stuff… Being able to interact with everybody, it’s really just a lot to comprehend. Everybody is so friendly, offering drinks and all types of food,” Whitney said. “I think as the race and the setup progress, it’s only going to get a lot more fun.

For more information about the event, visit the Watkins Glen International website here .

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