One of the most popular figures in the NASCAR garage for decades, recently retired series director Wayne Auton will return to his beloved NASCAR Xfinity Series to wave the green flag as the honorary starter for the Mission Foods 200 at The Glen on Saturday afternoon.<\/p>\n
Auton most recently served as series director for the Xfinity Series for 13 seasons, finishing his tenure at the Phoenix Raceway championship event last November. He had served as a NASCAR official since 1987, with 33 years total as a series director for one of NASCAR\u2019s numerous series.<\/p>\n
This weekend marks Auton\u2019s first return to the garage alongside the NASCAR Xfinity Series in his new role as race director with HSR NASCAR Classic. HSR will hold two races at Watkins Glen International on Saturday at 8:45 a.m. and 6:45 p.m.<\/p>\n
\u201cWayne was a friend to competitors, executives, and fans alike across all of his roles at NASCAR,\u201d said Dawn Burlew, President of Watkins Glen International. \u201cTrue to his reputation, he was welcoming to me in my new role as track president last year. We\u2019re so proud he\u2019s back in the garage at The Glen, and that we can pay tribute to the incredible impact he had on so many in the sport.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mission Foods is also serving as the entitlement partner for the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race on Friday night \u2013 the Mission 176 at The Glen. Butch Leitzinger, three-time winner of Rolex 24 at Daytona (1994, 1997, 1999), will serve as the honorary starter for Friday night\u2019s race and as the grand marshal for Saturday\u2019s Mission 200 at The Glen.<\/p>\n
Leitzinger also ran four NASCAR Cup Series races, all at Watkins Glen International, with a best finish of 12th\u00a0in 1995.<\/p>\n
The NASCAR race weekend at Watkins Glen International kicks off on Friday, Aug. 8 with the ARCA Menards General Tire 100 at The Glen followed by the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Mission 176 at The Glen. Then, Saturday, Aug. 9, fans can catch the NASCAR Xfinity Series Mission 200 at The Glen.\u202f\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n
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In all comes to a head on Sunday, Aug. 10, drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series will battle it out on the 2.45-mile road course in the Go Bowling at The Glen at Watkins Glen International.\u202f\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n
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