Walk of Fame Induction Ceremony

The Watkins Glen Drivers Walk of Fame was established in 1993 by the Watkins Glen Historic Racing Committee with support from the Schuyler County Chamber of Commerce and Watkins Glen International to honor the drivers who have competed on the Glen’s world-famous circuit since 1948.

The International Motor Racing Research Center helps the Historic Racing Committee develop the inscription for the Walk of Fame markers. The majority of markers are located on the east and west sidewalks along Franklin Street. All the markers in the Walk of Fame are sponsored by private donations.

To be considered for induction into the Walk of Fame, the driver must have driven a race car in competition at one of the four racecourses used at the Glen since 1948. The first person inducted into the Walk of Fame was the gentleman whose vision was to bring racing to Watkins Glen, Cameron Argetsinger. His block was placed in the Drivers Walk of Fame at the original racing start-finish line in front of the Schuyler County Court House in 1993.

A tour of the Drivers Walk of Fame is a walk-through racing history. It is at the Glen that road racing had its rebirth in 1948, and since that time it has been known as the Home of Road Racing in America. The Walk of Fame in front of the Court House is reserved for those drivers who competed from those early street races, from 1948 to 1952.

Begin your tour at Smalley’s Garage at 204 S. Franklin St., where race cars had to pass inspection before being allowed to compete. Proceed north to the Court House and follow the path almost to Seneca Lake before crossing Franklin Street and enjoying the names on the west side. A few drivers are honored with markers at the Racing Research Center at 610 S. Decatur St.

To learn more about these great drivers and about the history of racing at Watkins Glen, you are encouraged to visit the International Motor Racing Research Center. There you will find information, biographies, photos, memorabilia, historic automobiles, models and books depicting the history of motorsports of all series and all venues worldwide and, of course, the rich heritage of racing in Watkins Glen.