People refer to “the Watkins Glen effect,” which seems to have two distinct meanings. As Cameron Argetsinger expressed in 2007, “racing remains an economic engine not only for Watkins Glen, but for the entire upstate New York region.” This Watkins Glen “effect” was to establish racing as economically successful sports tourism with the potential to be emulated elsewhere.
Jim Miller presenting at the 2025 Argetsinger Symposium, photo courtesy Bob Barr, SAH
The other meaning may be more interesting to motorsport historians: As the originator of post- war road racing in the US, did Watkins Glen directly influence the founding and operation of other pioneering tracks like Bridgehampton, Lime Rock and Elkhart Lake? This study explores the earliest years of each track to determine whether Watkins Glen can be credited for their remarkably similar development.
Bio
James Miller is professor emeritus of communications at Hampshire College and a former member of the graduate faculty at UMass Amherst. A senior researcher at the IMRRC, he is a member of the International Motor Press Association.
Slides
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This episode is sponsored in part by: The International Motor Racing Research Center (IMRRC), The Society of Automotive Historians (SAH), The Watkins Glen Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Argetsinger Family – and was recorded in front of a live studio audience. And has been Edited, Remastered and Produced in partnership with the Motoring Podcast Network.
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