Scott Atherton will give the command to start engines for the upcoming Sahlen's Six Hours of the Glen. (IMSA Photo)
A still shot from the 2021 Sahlen's Six Hours of the Glen. (IMSA photo)

Watkins Glen, Sahlen Packing Company Renew Partnership

WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. — Watkins Glen International and Sahlen Packing Company will continue their long-standing relationship in a multi-year extension, bringing the partnership to 25 years. 

The track announced the extension at the start of the race weekend for the Sahlen’s Six Hours at The Glen.

Sahlen’s, known for their premium Smokehouse Hot Dogs, will also be the entitlement partner for the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge race at Watkins Glen International. The Sahlen’s 120 at The Glen will take place on Saturday, June 24, as part of the overall Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen IMSA race weekend.

“We are thrilled to announce this long-term extension with the Sahlen Packing Company, and the Sahlen family as their values and goals strongly align with the IMSA event weekend, and Watkins Glen International,” said Rob Roessel, Director of Corporate Sales, Watkins Glen International. “The Sahlen family’s passion and enthusiasm for sports car racing and Watkins Glen is unparalleled. We thank them for their contributions over the past 20 years, and we look forward to the future.”

Spanning over 150 years and five generations, the family run business, headed up by company President Joe Sahlen, has been a partner of Watkins Glen International since 2003, providing fans with their signature smokehouse hot dogs throughout the racing season at the historic New York track.

Watkins Glen International has hosted the famous six-hour endurance race since 1969, producing a wide range of winners including Bruce McLaren and Mario Andretti. Last year, The No. 10 Konica Minolta Acura drove to victory, with Filipe Albuquerque and Ricky Taylor securing first place in the DPi class and hoping to do so again this year in the revamped GTP class with teammate Louis Deletraz.

The Sahlen’s 120 at The Glen begins on Saturday, June 24, with two hours of intense racing at Watkins Glen International.

Sunday’s Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen caps off the race weekend, featuring the 57-car field tackling the 3.4-mile road course in a six-hour battle to the checkered flag.