NASCAR track president Michael Printup to step down at Watkins Glen

Michael Printup, track president at Watkins Glen International since June of 2009, announced his retirement Friday.

His last day will be June 26, the day after the NASCAR-owned road course hosts IMSA’s Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen.

Printup, 58, let his boss know officially Friday he is resigning, but he said he and his wife, Stephanie, have been discussing the decision since around Thanksgiving. Printup initially referred to this as a retirement/resignation in an email, but he categorized it as a retirement in an interview.

Watkins Glen International President Michael Printup talks about a deal for Tioga Downs Casino Resort to be official casino of the track during a press conference Feb. 1, 2019 at Tioga Downs. Behind him is Jim Weed, marketing manager at Tioga Downs Casino Resort.

Why Printup says he’s leaving WGI

“I’m going to retire. I’m going to relax,” said Printup, who lives in Horseheads. “I’ve got a granddaughter down in D.C. with my son (Brendan) and his wife. I want to start spending some time with them.”

Matthew Printup, their other son, graduated from Horseheads High School last year.

Family was only part of Printup’s decision.

“I was running out of gas, Iโ€™ve got to be candid,” he said. “And Iโ€™ve always promised myself I wouldnโ€™t go in and do anything half-naked. I didnโ€™t want to do that. I wanted to be able to go out on a high, I guess. This team up here has just done unbelievably well over the last 15 seasons, 14 years.”

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Printup involved in other NASCAR ventures, concessions

Printup’s other responsibilities include overseeing NASCAR’s food service contract with Levy for 12 racetracks owned by NASCAR. He was previously president of Americrown, a NASCAR subsidiary that was responsible for catering, concessions and merchandise sales until 2020.

In addition, Printup has overseen golf carts rented to NASCAR facilities and the Mobil 1 show car program for Tony Stewart that is based in Michigan.

“I just wanted to kind of kick back and enjoy myself…

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