Auton retired in 2024 following more than 40 years with NASCAR, now serves as race director for HSR NASCAR Classic
WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. (August 7, 2025) – 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.
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’s numerous series.
This weekend marks Auton’s 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.
“Wayne was a friend to competitors, executives, and fans alike across all of his roles at NASCAR,” said Dawn Burlew, President of Watkins Glen International. “True to his reputation, he was welcoming to me in my new role as track president last year. We’re so proud he’s 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.”
Mission Foods is also serving as the entitlement partner for the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race on Friday night – 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’s race and as the grand marshal for Saturday’s Mission 200 at The Glen.
Leitzinger also ran four NASCAR Cup Series races, all at Watkins Glen International, with a best finish of 12th in 1995.
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.
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.
For more details about the 2025 NASCAR race weekend at Watkins Glen International and to purchase tickets, please visit www.theglen.com.
About Watkins Glen International
Located within five hours and 300 miles of 25 percent of the U.S. population, Watkins Glen International is the premier road racing facility in North America, four-times voted “Best NASCAR Track” by readers of USA Today. Keep up with The Glen on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. For tickets, camping, and additional information, call 1-866-461-RACE or visit www.TheGlen.com and get all of the latest information by downloading the NASCAR tracks app at NASCAR TRACKS APP | WATKINS GLEN INTERNATIONAL
2025 Watkins Glen International Schedule
April 4-5 – Opening Weekend
June 12-14 – Historic Sportscar Racing
June 19-22 – IMSA Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen
June 27-29 – SCCA Majors Super Tour
July 11-13 – Trans Am Series
July 23-27 – Ferrari World Challenge
August 8-10 – NASCAR Go Bowling at The Glen
September 4-7 – SVRA Hilliard U.S. Vintage Grand Prix
2025 Watkins Glen International NASCAR Weekend Schedule
August 8 – General Tire 100 at The Glen ARCA Menards Series Race
August 8 – Mission 176 at The Glen NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Race
August 9 – Mission 200 at The Glen – NASCAR Xfinity Series Race
August 10 – Go Bowling at The Glen – NASCAR Cup Series Race
About Mission Foods
MISSION®, owned by GRUMA, S.A.B. de C.V., is the world’s leading brand for tortillas and wraps. MISSION® is also globally renowned for flatbreads, dips, salsas and Mexican food products. With a presence in over 112 countries, MISSION® products are suited to the lifestyles and the local tastes of each country. With innovation and customer needs in mind, MISSION® focuses on the highest quality, authentic flavors, and providing healthy options that families and friends can enjoy together. For more information, please visit http://www.missionfoods.com/.
About NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) is the sanctioning body for the No. 1 form of motorsports in the United States and owner of 16 of the nation’s major motorsports entertainment facilities. NASCAR sanctions races in three national series (NASCAR Cup Series™, NASCAR Xfinity Series™, and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series™), four international series (NASCAR Brasil Sprint Race, NASCAR Mexico Series, NASCAR Pinty’s Series (Canada), NASCAR Whelen Euro Series), four regional series (ARCA Menards Series, ARCA Menards Series East & West and the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour) and a local grassroots series (NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series). The International Motor Sports Association™ (IMSA®) governs the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship™, the premier U.S. sports car series. NASCAR also owns Motor Racing Network, Racing Electronics, and ONE DAYTONA. Based in Daytona Beach, Florida, with offices in eight cities across North America, NASCAR sanctions more than 1,200 races annually in 12 countries and more than 30 U.S. states. For more information visit www.NASCAR.com and www.IMSA.com, and follow NASCAR on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat (‘NASCAR’).
