New York State Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C,I-Big Flats), Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R,C,I-Corning) and Assemblyman Chris Friend (R,C,I-Big Flats) this week welcomed Watkins Glen International President Andrew Smith, Watkins Glen International Vice President Andrew Smith, and IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar driver Katherine Legge to the State Capitol to celebrate the contributions of motorsports to the economy and culture of the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes regions, and statewide.
Legge has been racing since the age of seven and currently races the Acura NSX with Michael Shank Racing. She is also the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Ambassador for Girl Scouts.
Together, the group officially opened a New York State Motorsports Exhibit in the Empire State Plaza and both houses of the State Legislature adopted a legislative resolution sponsored by O’Mara, Palmesano, and Friend proclaiming March 11-17 as “Motorsports Appreciation Week” in New York.
In a joint statement, O’Mara, Palmesano and Friend said, “It is our privilege to join our legislative colleagues in paying tribute to one of the world’s iconic sporting venues. Across the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes regions, we all take great pride in the fact that The Glen has resonated so powerfully throughout the history of American motorsports for more than six decades. Watkins Glen International has long stood as a mainstay of our regional culture and economy. It is one of New York State’s premier destinations, a backbone of our leading tourism industry, and a driving force for countless charitable, community service and economic development initiatives. Very simply, we’re fortunate to call Watkins Glen International one of our own.”
Watkins Glen International was lauded for being home to the state’s largest sporting event, the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race weekend each August, which attracts fans from all 50 states and 16 countries around the world. Events at The Glen annually generate over $200 million in economic activity across the region and account for more than 2,000 local jobs. The Senate-Assembly resolution, which received unanimous approval, reads, in part, “Having a global fan base in the millions, motorsports is one of the most popular and fastest growing sports in the world.”
Release courtesy of Senator Tom O’Mara’s office/Photo From left to right at the Motorsports Appreciation Week exhibit: WGI President Michael Printup, Senator Tom O’Mara, Katherine Legge, Assemblyman Phil Palmesano, and Assemblyman Chris Friend.
