NASCAR fans don’t necessarily have to visit the race track to meet some drivers this weekend.
While most of the action will take place at Watkins Glen International, several driver appearances are scheduled elsewhere in the region as NASCAR makes its annual pilgrimage to the Finger Lakes.
The ARCA Menards, Craftsman Truck, Xfinity and Cup Series will all be in action Aug. 8-10 at the Schuyler County road course, which has been a regular stop for NASCAR since 1986.
Here’s some other places Cup Series drivers will be appearing in the coming days.
Bubba Wallace at Horseheads McDonald’s
Bubba Wallace, still fresh off a recent win at the Brickyard 400, will return to the Horseheads McDonald’s restaurant at 3327 Chambers Rd. this weekend.
The first 100 customers to make a purchase at this McDonald’s store between 2-4 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 9 will receive a wristband for access to an autograph session that begins at 4 p.m. One autograph is permitted per wristband, and no additional purchase is necessary for the signing.
Ross Chastain appearances include visits to Walmart, Tops
Trackhouse Racing driver Ross Chastain has multiple appearances scheduled locally.
On Thursday, Aug. 7 Chastain will appear on the lawn of the Schuyler County Courthouse at 105 9th St. in Watkins Glen from 9 a.m. to noon and 1-3 p.m. to sign autographs and promote the importance of seat belt use through the “Protect Your Melon” campaign.
From 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Chastain will sign autographs at the Walmart in Watkins Glen at 515 E 4th St.
After multiple appearances in Watkins Glen on Thursday, Chastain will again sign autographs on Saturday at 3 p.m. at the Trackhouse Racing merchandise hauler located in the Fan Zone at Watkins Glen International. A wristband is required.
On Saturday, Chastain will also sign autographs at 4:30 p.m. at the Tops store in Watkins Glen at 504 1/2 South Franklin St.
On Sunday at 10:35 a.m., Chastain will sign autographs at the New York Governors Traffic Safety Committee booth in the Watkins Glen infield. A wristband is required.
Also, Chastain and the Corning Museum of Glass will present the “You Design It” Contest Winner at 10 a.m. Friday in Watkins Glen International Victory Lane. Chastain will receive the final cured glass piece he made earlier this summer at the Corning Museum of Glass.
“I spend a lot of time in New York state for various things,” Chastain said. “Some of that is in New York City and some of it is in upstate New York around the racetrack and surrounding areas. Upstate is a gorgeous area and I do a lot of work with the Governors office and safe driving so I spend a lot of time in New York. I was in Corning a couple of weeks ago to promote this weekend’s race and it was a lot of fun.”
John Hunter Nemechek at Finger Lakes Distilling Company
Legacy Motor Club driver John Hunter Nemechek will visit the Finger Lakes Distilling Company at 4676 state Route 414 in Burdett Thursday, Aug. 7.
Nemechek will take part in a special single barrel cask release, #3142, to commemorate his No. 42 car number ahead of this weekend’s Go Bowling at The Glen NASCAR race. Visitors can buy the special bottle, priced at a reduced cost of $42 during the event. A drink special using this whiskey will also be available.
Nemechek will be onsite from 4-7 p.m., with an autograph session open to the public from 5:45-7 p.m. My Eva food truck will be onsite from 3-8 p.m. for food purchases.
Connor Zilisch at the Glen Club
On Sunday, Trackhouse Racing driver Connor Zilisch will participate in a fan Q&A from 10:45-11 a.m. at the Glen Club at Watkins Glen International. He is also scheduled to meet with a local group of Boy Scouts at the track from 10:15-10:30 a.m.
Zilisch won the Xfinity and ARCA Menards Series races last year at WGI and is also running the Cup race this weekend.
— This list may be updated as more appearances are announced.
This article originally appeared on Elmira Star-Gazette: NASCAR stars set off-track autograph sessions during Watkins Glen weekend. Here’s where.
Reporting by Chris Potter, Elmira Star-Gazette / Elmira Star-Gazette
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
