Michael Printup

Michael Printup (1965 – 2025)[1] was an American motorsport executive that served as the President of Watkins Glen International from 2009 until 2023 and the Chief Operating Officer of Racing America.

Career

Printup joined the International Speedway Corporation in 2000.[2] Prior to joining Watkins Glen, he worked in facility operations for the Michigan International Speedway.[3] Printup served as the President for Americrown, an ISC subsidiary that operated at twelve NASCAR tracks. He also played a role in the food service contract between NASCAR and Levy Restaurants.[2][4]

In 2009, Printup became the President of Watkins Glen International, a motorsport venue that has held races for the NASCAR Cup Series, IndyCar, Formula One, and the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.[5] In this role, he oversaw design changes to the circuit,[6][7] the track's reopening following restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic,[8] and expanding the overall impact of the track.[9][10] He accompanied New York Governor Andrew Cuomo during his visit to the track in 2013.[11]

He departed from Watkins Glen in 2023 to join Parella Motorsports Holdings (later rebranded as Racing America[12]) as the President of the Sportscar Vintage Racing Association.[13] He was promoted to Chief Operating Officer in January 2024, overseeing all of the organization's racing operations including SVRA and the Trans-Am Series.[9]

Personal life and death

Printup was born in Hamburg, New York and studied mathematics at the State University of New York at Fredonia.[14] He was married and had two children. His death was announced on January 1st, 2026, aged 60.[9]

References

  1. ^ Kilbey, Stephen (January 2, 2026). "Michael Printup: 1965-2025". Dailysportscar.com. Retrieved January 3, 2026.
  2. ^ a b Legare, Andrew (May 26, 2023). "Michael Printup steps down as president of Watkins Glen International, set for retirement". Star-Gazette. Retrieved January 4, 2026.
  3. ^ Murray, Jeff (January 2, 2026). "Former WGI President Michael Printup, 'icon in motorsports', dies at 60". Star-Gazette. Retrieved January 4, 2026.
  4. ^ "Michael Printup Assumes Americrown Role". Performance Racing Industry. March 31, 2015. Retrieved January 4, 2026.
  5. ^ Legare, Andrew (August 1, 2015). "NY loves Watkins Glen race". Democrat and Chronicle. Retrieved January 4, 2026.
  6. ^ Legare, Andrew (August 16, 2022). "What's new at the Glen for NASCAR weekend? WGI president gives inside scoop". Star-Gazette. Retrieved January 4, 2026.
  7. ^ Albert, Zack (August 4, 2016). "Plenty of tests passed already for The Glen's new look". NASCAR. Retrieved January 4, 2026.
  8. ^ "Watkins Glen Open Again, Optimistic For NASCAR Weekend". NY1. Associated Press. July 2, 2020. Retrieved January 4, 2026.
  9. ^ a b c Neff, Natalie (January 2, 2026). "Michael Printup, Former Watkins Glen President and Racing America COO, Dies at 60". Autoweek. Retrieved January 3, 2026.
  10. ^ Albino, Dustin (August 7, 2016). "Watkins Glen Becoming One of the Top Stops on the NASCAR Circuit". Frontstretch. Retrieved January 4, 2026.
  11. ^ "Cuomo hits the track at WGI; touts texting-while-driving campaign". The Leader. August 9, 2013. Retrieved January 4, 2026.
  12. ^ Stern, Adam (December 10, 2025). "NASCAR teams sell Racing America platform to Parella Motorsports". Sports Business Journal. Retrieved January 4, 2025.
  13. ^ Koscs, Jim (November 1, 2023). "Newly Appointed: Michael Printup". Performance Racing Industry. Retrieved January 4, 2026.
  14. ^ Shaw, David (August 5, 2013). "A CONVERSATION WITH: Michael Printup, Presiden of Watkins Glen International Race Track". Finger Lakes Times. Retrieved January 4, 2026.
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