CONCORD, N.C. – On Aug. 10, 1986, NASCAR Cup Series racing returned to Watkins Glen International for the first time since 1965.
In the inaugural Cup Series race at the newly renovated New York road course, Tim Richmond led the way for Hendrick Motorsports.
Starting the 90-lap event on the pole, Richmond led 29 laps, including the final 12 circuits, en route to the checkered flag and the organization’s first win at “The Glen.”
The win was also the driver’s fourth win in a six-race span that season. He found Victory Lane twice more in the ensuing four races, winning a total of six events in that 10-race span.
After Richmond’s first win at Watkins Glen in 1986, Hendrick Motorsports earned five additional victories at the track.
Ricky Rudd captured a win at the venue four years later in 1990, and Jeff Gordon won three races in a row at the road course from 1997 to 1999.
Gordon earned another win at “The Glen” in 2001, the organization’s sixth and most recent victory at the track.