Longtime Watkins Glen International President Michael Printup, who retired from that position in 2023, has died.
Racing America, which Printup joined after stepping down as the head of Watkins Glen International, confirmed in a statement Jan. 1 that Printup, 60, passed away unexpectedly.
After leaving WGI, Printup joined Racing America as president of the Sportscar Vintage Racing Association and in January 2024 was promoted to chief operating officer.
“Michael was an icon in motorsports, a great partner and a friend,” Racing America said in the statement. “His passion for racing and commitment to the industry made a lasting impact on the sport. He will be deeply missed. Racing America sends our thoughts and condolences to Michael’s family, friends and colleagues.”
Printup, a native of Hamburg, New York, joined Watkins Glen International as track president in June 2009 and served in that position for 15 years before his retirement.
He and his wife Stephanie lived in Horseheads while he was president of WGI.
When he announced his retirement in 2023, Printup said he wanted to spend more time with family and added he was getting burned out after 15 years at the helm.
“I was running out of gas, I’ve got to be candid,” he said at the time. “And I’ve always promised myself I wouldn’t go in and do anything half-naked. I didn’t want to do that. I wanted to be able to go out on a high, I guess.”
Printup began working for International Speedway Corp. in 2000. ISC, which was Watkins Glen’s parent company, merged with NASCAR in 2019. Printup was senior director of facility management at Michigan International Speedway before coming to Watkins Glen.
During Printup’s tenure, Watkins Glen International underwent $56 million in capital improvement projects. Under his leadership, the racetrack hosted music festivals for legendary jam band Phish in 2011 and 2015 and had success with its Wine Festival and other race weekends.
Following the announcement of Printup’s death, Watkins Glen International issued a statement about its former leader.
“During his tenure, Michael played a key role in the continued growth and success of Watkins Glen International, helping to strengthen its operations, partnerships, and standing within the motorsports industry while honoring the venue’s storied history,” the statement said. “Michael was a respected leader who left a lasting impact on the organization and those who worked alongside him.”
Printup’s successor at WGI, Dawn Burlew-Schmidt, also posted a statement about him on her Facebook page.
“Lost my friend Michael Printup who shared a deep passion for Watkins Glen International and the community it calls home,” Burlew-Schmidt wrote. “Michael made a tremendous impact on the track and our team at WGI, and we enjoyed seeing him when SVRA came to town. My thoughts are with his family and friends who are grieving his loss.”
Printup was living in South Carolina at the time of his death. In addition to his wife, Printup had two sons, Brendan and Matthew, and two granddaughters.
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This article originally appeared on Elmira Star-Gazette: Former WGI President Michael Printup, ‘icon in motorsports’, dies at 60
Reporting by Jeff Murray, Elmira Star-Gazette / Elmira Star-Gazette
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
