Remembering Michael Printup, A Leader, Mentor, and Friend in Motorsports
The racing world woke up to more sad news out of New York this morning as it was announced that Chief Operating Officer of Racing America and longtime Steward of Watkins Glen International, Michael Printup, died unexpectedly at the age of 60.
In a sport defined by noise, the all too familiar whirr of next-gen engines, the screech of tires, the cheer of the crowd, and the sudden absence of a voice as commanding and passionate as Printup’s leaves a void that no amount of horsepower can fill.
For those of us who spend our lives chasing the circus from Daytona to Sonoma, this isn’t just a personnel loss. This unexpected news makes many of us feel like losing our piece of the track itself. He is gone, but certainly not forgotten, and he leaves a lasting impact and an unparalleled legacy that will be honored forever.
A Titan of the Industry Gone Too Soon
Racing America confirmed the devastating news, noting that Printup had only recently taken on the mantle of COO in January 2024. He was a man who seemed to have endless gears, constantly shifting up to the next challenge. Just last summer, he joined the organization as President of the Sportscar Vintage Racing Association (SVRA), unable to stay away from the smell of high-octane fuel for long.
The statement from Racing America called him an “icon in motorsports,” and for once, that word isn’t being used lightly. Printup was a partner, a friend, and a leader whose fingerprints are all over the modern state of American road racing.
The Architect of the Modern Watkins Glen
While his recent work with the Trans Am Series and SVRA showed his enduring versatility, Printup will arguably be remembered most for his 15-year tenure as president of Watkins Glen International. When you walk through the gates of The Glen today, you are walking through Michael Printup’s vision.
From 2009 to 2023, he didn’t just manage the historic road course. He revitalized it. He oversaw $56 million in capital improvements, ensuring that the hallowed grounds of American road racing not only survived but thrived in the modern era.
He understood that a race track had to be more than just asphalt and guardrails. He expanded the venue’s footprint, turning race weekends into festivals and the track itself into a destination. He poured his soul into that facility, eventually stepping away in 2023, citing burnout, a human admission that endeared him to many.
He gave everything he had to that track, and when his tank ran dry, he was honest about it. But true racers can’t stay retired, and his quick return to the sport with Racing America proved that his heart never really left the pit lane.
A Lifetime in the Fast Lane
Printup was a Hamburg, New York native who spent nearly three decades inside the NASCAR ecosystem. Before taking the reins at The Glen, he was grinding at Michigan International Speedway as the senior director of facility management. He understood the unglamorous side of the business that keeps the show running.
His influence extended to the fan experience in ways most ticket holders never realized. As president of Americrown, he oversaw the food service contracts for 12 NASCAR-owned racetracks. If you grabbed a bite to eat at a race in the last decade, there’s a good chance Printup played a role in getting it to you.
A Dark Winter for Racing
The tragedy of Printup’s passing is compounded by the brutal stretch of heartbreak the NASCAR community has endured in the last month. The sport is currently reeling from a succession of losses that feels almost cruel.
We are still processing the loss of former driver Greg Biffle, who perished alongside his family in a plane crash just weeks ago at Statesville Regional Airport. We are still mourning Michael Annett and Nick Joanides.
And just days ago, we watched Denny Hamlin suffer the unimaginable loss of his father, Dennis, in a house fire. To lose Printup, now a man who was a stabilizing force and a familiar face in the garage, adds another layer of grief to an already somber off-season.
The Man Behind the Executive
Beyond the capital improvements, the board meetings, and the race day logistics, Michael Printup was a family man. He leaves behind his wife, Stephanie, his sons Brendan and Matthew, and his granddaughters, Sophia and Vivienne.
In the high-pressure world of motorsports, it’s easy to get lost in the split times and the TV ratings. But today, the racing community isn’t mourning an executive; we are mourning a husband, a father, and a grandfather who left us far too early. Godspeed, Michael. The Glen will always carry your echo.
