This summer, Watkins Glen International and Genesee Brewing Company will host the Genesee Summer Concert Series at The Glen, a free six-event concert series at the track, providing fans an opportunity to listen to local bands and learn more about the upcoming events for the 2019 season.

“We are excited to not only bring back our summer concert series, but kick off our relationship with Genesee Brewing Company in a unique way,” Watkins Glen International President Michael Printup said. “This is a great chance to showcase what WGI has to offer beyond racing and provide the fans with more summer entertainment.”

Free and open to the public from 6-8 p.m., the first of the six happy hour-style events will take place Thursday, June 6 featuring Virgil Cain at the Esses Party Deck and continue through July 25. Fans can enjoy $1 Sahlen’s hot dogs, $2 Genesee drafts, $3 wine and $4 cocktails. Genesee Beer and Light will be featured at each concert on draft as well as the brewery’s most award-winning beer: The Original Cream Ale, available in cans.

“Watkins Glen International is home to some of our most loyal Genesee fans. It’s about time we celebrate them in the best way we know how: heading to the track to kick back, enjoy a show and drink great beer,” said Janine Schoos, associate brand director for Genesee Beer. “We’re really happy to be cohosting this awesome summer series as a part of our partnership with The Glen.”

The complete schedule is listed below, with more details to come.

2019 Genesee Summer Concert Series at The Glen Schedule:

June 6 – Virgil Cain

June 13 – PA Line

June 20 – Chasing Neon

July 9 – Rust

July 18 – Tempting Scarlet (formerly Guilty Pleasure Band)

July 25 – Woodshed Prophets

A fan favorite, Virgil Cain and his solo show developed with influences from Billy Joel and Elton John on piano to Paul Simon and Dave Matthews on guitar. With a passion for evolving a show, he discovered new technologies including digital looping and sequencing.

Original music inspired by Grass Roots, infused with Soul, and born from the Indie scene, PA Line is Peace Always. The Buffalo-based band are winners of Best Alternative Band and Best Indie/Folk Band at the 2016 All Western New York Music Awards. Chasing Neon, the Groton, NY based band brings mixes of classic rock and country to their performances.

RUST is a classic rock cover band from the Southern Tier of New York State. Consisting of veteran, professional players that have been a part of the areas’ music scene since the 1970s, RUST has spent the past several years refining their sound to become the premier classic rock band. Tempting Scarlet, formerly Guilty Pleasure Band, returns to The Glen with their hard rock and pop rock sound that they bring throughout the Southern Tier.

The Woodshed Prophets out of Sidney, NY, are a quartet of bearded wild-men, hellbent on world-domination or self-destruction. The Prophets primarily play original material that is a unique blend of rock & country, what some people have coined as "Power Twang".

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, three-times voted “Best NASCAR Track” by readers of USA Today. Keep up with The Glen on Facebook and Twitter. For tickets, camping, and additional information, call 1-866-461-RACE or visit www.theglen.com.

WGI PR

It was another magic Monday for Martin Truex Jr. at Dover International Speedway.

Almost 12 years ago, the Mayetta, N.J., native won his first career NASCAR Cup Series race at the Monster Mile in an event that was postponed one day because of weather.

In today’s “Gander RV 400” Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race, following another weather postponement, Truex earned his 21st career NASCAR Cup Series win, and received a golden Monster Trophy for his efforts as part of Dover International Speedway’s 50th anniversary celebration.

“We’re two for two on Mondays here,” Truex said. “I saw the trophy in the driver’s meeting yesterday and I said that’s pretty awesome,” Truex said. “That golden one is special. It’s pretty awesome to win on the 50th anniversary of Dover International Speedway.”

Truex, driving the No. 19 Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing, beat runner-up Alex Bowman to the checkered flag by 9.501 seconds, completing the 400 laps with an average speed of 127.242 mph across 3:08:37. It’s Truex’s third NASCAR Cup Series win at Dover and he’s the 17th driver to earn three or more Monster Mile wins.

“This track is a big reason why I got where I’m at,” said Truex, who ran several Busch North Series (now the K&N Pro Series East) races at the Monster Mile while making his way up through the stock car ranks. “Without tracks like this, I wouldn’t have been able to put myself in position to be here.”

Truex’s challenge was even more daunting after starting in the rear of the field at the race’s start due to a weekend inspection failure and he hadn’t made it to the top 10 by the end of the first stage (won by Joey Logano) at Lap 120. His first lap led was the final one of the second stage after he edged Bowman back to the stripe.

From there, Truex won the scramble off pit road, and controlled the race, taking the lead for the final time when Daniel Suarez was forced to pit on Lap 348. In all, Truex led 132 laps, just shy of Chase Elliott’s race-high 145.

“Starting in the back was a challenge,” said Cole Pearn, Truex’s crew chief. “We had a really good car Saturday in practice. Martin did a great job getting through traffic. We were able to manage the race from that point on.”

It was Joe Gibbs Racing’s seventh victory in 11 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series races this season and the second for Truex.

“It’s a big deal for us,” team owner Joe Gibbs said. “In pro sports, these things can come and go pretty quick. The hardest thing to do is stay up there. Our guys have done a great job adjusting to this package. We’re going to enjoy each one of these. The goal is to stay up there.”

It was just the third out of Dover’s 99 NASCAR Cup Series races to be postponed to a Monday due to weather. The previous Monday races came on May 19, 1975 (won by David Pearson) and Truex’s first win on June 4, 2007.

Bowman also started from the back following a weekend inspection failure before finishing second, followed by Kyle Larson in third, Kevin Harvick fourth and Elliott in fifth. Eleven cars finished on the lead lap in a race that featured 11 leaders, 15 lead changes and six caution flags for 31 laps.

“To come here to, in my opinion, the hardest race track we go to, and run like that from the back of all things, was pretty special,” Bowman said. “This is the physically hardest race of the year for me for sure.”

The Monster Mile’s 50th Anniversary celebration continues on Oct. 4-6 with another NASCAR tripleheader weekend. The schedule features the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East race on Friday, Oct. 4, the NASCAR Xfinity Series playoff race on Saturday, Oct. 5 and the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series playoff race on Sunday, Oct. 6. The Oct. 6, 2019, Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series playoff race will be the 100th NASCAR Cup Series race in track history. Dover International Speedway will be the 10th track in the nation to host 100 NASCAR Cup Series races.

Keep up to date on all 50th Anniversary announcements and schedules by visiting DoverSpeedway.com or calling (800) 441-RACE. You can also keep up with all track activities at Facebook.com/DoverInternationalSpeedway, or on Twitter and Instagram at @MonsterMile.

Dover Motorsports PR

In an effort to reward more drivers for entering the three biggest NASCAR Late Model Stock Car races in Virginia, the Virginia Triple Crown will pay the top-three drivers with the best average finishing positions in the Thunder Road Harley-Davidson Presented by Grand Atlantic Ocean Resort 200 at South Boston Speedway, the Hampton Heat 200 at Langley Speedway and the ValleyStar Credit Union 300 at Martinsville Speedway.

The $10,000 prize will be distributed $7,000 to the winner, $2,000 for second place and $1,000 for third place.

“We want to give drivers even more of an incentive to start all three races,” Martinsville Speedway President Clay Campbell said. “By going to this format, a driver who gets unlucky at South Boston still has incentive to race at Langley and Martinsville.”

South Boston Speedway General Manager Cathy Rice said they are excited to have the Triple Crown back again this year.

“I think it will be a big year for everyone involved,” Rice said. “Paying the top-three finishers of the Virginia Triple Crown will certainly entice more competitors to join this year and compete in all three events that are included. Not only that, but the fans will have more action to look forward to, as well.”  

Bill Mullis, owner of Langley Speedway, said he believes paying the top-three will benefit both fan and drivers.

“Langley Speedway is proud to continue to participate in this great event,” said Langley Speedway Owner Bill Mullis. “We believe the new purse structure will add a bonus to the top finishing drivers that will increase the interest level in all three of these important races.”

The Triple Crown has previously paid to the top-3 finishers, but recently has been a winner-take-all format.

Peyton Sellers, the 2018 Triple Crown Champion, has won with both formats and said he likes paying the top-3 as opposed to just the winner, even though it’s less money for the Champion.

“There’s a lot of guys that travel back and forth to Langley and South Boston that put a lot of work into it and don’t get rewarded with the winner-take-all approach,” Sellers said “By paying the top-3 it also may keep more drivers racing for the Triple Crown, as one bad race won’t eliminate you. A lot of times the Triple Crown comes down to just one position and it can be decided in the last five laps at Martinsville, so this is a good way to reward more drivers for their efforts.”

In the event of a tie for any of the positions, the tie will be broken by the driver with the higher finish at Martinsville. To be eligible for the Triple Crown a driver must start all three races.

The Triple Crown starts June 29 with the running of the Thunder Road Harley-Davidson Presented by Grand Atlantic Ocean Resort 200 at South Boston Speedway and continues on July 20 with the Hampton Heat 200 at Langley Speedway. The Triple Crown will wrap up with the ValleyStar Credit Union 300 at Martinsville on October 5.

SBS PR

Another great tradition returns to Darlington Raceway, for the first time since 2015, as the track will partner with the South Carolina Blood Services Region of the American Red Cross to host a Blood Drive event on Tuesday, May 21 from 2 p.m. – 7 p.m.

From 2005-2015, the track hosted an annual blood drive event which experienced tremendous success by collecting thousands of units of blood. Each donated unit can potentially save the lives of up to three recipients.

“This is a community event we hosted for 10 years and we are pleased to bring it back in 2019,” Darlington Raceway President Kerry Tharp said. “It’s an important initiative for our track and the American Red Cross is a tremendous community partner. We hope donors will come out and donate blood to support this event. Blood donations help patients who undergo surgeries, have chronic illness, traumatic injuries or cancer treatment. By rolling up a sleeve, you can help a loved one or neighbor in the South Carolina community and beyond.”

For each donation, fans will receive the following:

• Behind-the-scenes look at the Lady in Black, including access to the Walk of Champions
• Opportunity to take a pace car ride around the Darlington oval
• Free admission to the track’s museum, which can be redeemed up to a week after the blood drive. The museum is open Monday-Friday from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
• $5 Amazon Gift Card (*Gift cards will be delivered via email within 14-30 days post-donation.  Donor must have a valid email address on file with the Red Cross)

The blood drive, which will take place from 2:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. on May 21, is now accepting appointments. To reserve your donation time, go to www.redcrossblood.org, click on the Make an Appointment link and enter the sponsor code: DARLINGTONRACEWAY or call 1-800-REDCROSS. Appointments are encouraged in advance.

Since 2005, Darlington Raceway’s blood drives collected over 2,000 units of blood for the South Carolina Blood Services Region of the American Red Cross, potentially saving the lives of over 6,000 people in our local community.

The American Red Cross South Carolina Blood Services Region provides lifesaving blood to approximately 40 hospitals. More than 350 blood and platelet donations are needed every day to support patient needs. Accident victims as well as patients with cancer, sickle cell disease, blood disorders and other illnesses receive lifesaving transfusions every day. There is no substitute for blood and volunteer donors are the only source.

Blood can be safely donated every 56 days. Platelets can be given safely every two weeks, up to 24 times a year. Most healthy people age 17 and older, 16 with parental consent, who weigh at least 110 pounds, are eligible to donate blood and platelets. Donors who are 18 and younger must also meet specific height and weight requirements.

Darlington Raceway’s award-winning throwback campaign is The Official Throwback Weekend of NASCAR featuring the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Bojangles’ Southern 500® on Sunday, Sept. 1, 2019 at 6 p.m. on NBCSN. The NASCAR XFINITY Series Sport Clips Haircuts VFW 200 will race on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2019 at 4 p.m. on NBC. Tickets are on sale now by calling 866-459-7223 or visiting DarlingtonRaceway.com.

You can keep up with all of the latest news from Darlington Raceway at DarlingtonRaceway.com, on Facebook at Facebook.com/DarlingtonRaceway and on Twitter at Twitter.com/TooToughToTame. Fans are encouraged to post their Bojangles’ Southern 500 stories and memories at, #BojanglesSo500 and #SportClips200.

Darlington Raceway PR