Geoff and Todd Bodine will help WGI celebrate 40 years of Cup races

Thirty years after his victory at his home track, Chemung native Geoff Bodine will be among five former drivers who help celebrate 40 years of NASCAR Cup Series races at Watkins Glen International.

Watkins Glen's annual NASCAR weekend runs from Friday, May 8 until Sunday, May 10.

More: NASCAR set for May racing at Watkins Glen. What you need to know

Bodine, who won WGI's Cup race in 1996 and the Daytona 500 40 years ago among 18 career wins in the series, will be honorary driver of the pace car for the Cup Series' Go Bowling at The Glen. The event is scheduled for 3 p.m. Sunday.

"It’s incredibly meaningful to have Geoff back at Watkins Glen International in such a special role to close out the weekend,” WGI President Dawn Burlew said in a press release.

"Geoff’s success here — including a memorable Cup Series win at his home track — combined with the lasting impact he and the entire Bodine family have had on this region makes this a truly fitting moment."

Geoff's brother Todd Bodine, a two-time Truck Series champion, will be honorary starter for Saturday's O'Reilly Auto Parts Series' Mission 200 at The Glen. Sports-car veteran Butch Leitzinger will serve as grand marshal for the 4 p.m. race.

"Butch’s incredible success on the world stage, including multiple wins at the Rolex 24, and his history competing here at The Glen, speaks to the deep sports-car roots of this facility," Burlew said.

"At the same time, Todd’s legacy as a champion in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and his strong ties to this region make him a perfect fit to represent our fans and community. Together, they reflect both the tradition and the versatility that define racing at Watkins Glen."

Ron Fellows, a two-time Craftsman Truck Series winner at WGI, will be grand marshal for Friday's Bully Hill Vineyards 176 at The Glen. Former NASCAR driver Joe Nemechek will be the honorary starter for the 4:30 p.m. Truck Series race.

“Ron and Joe’s success together here at The Glen, including with the Bully Hill Vineyards name on their truck, speaks for itself and the fans still connect with what they accomplished here,” Burlew said.

With the planned 2020 race moved from Watkins Glen to Daytona International Speedway's road course, this year will mark 40 races at The Glen since it became a fixture on the Cup schedule in 1986.

Geoff Bodine, Ernie Irvan to appear in Horseheads

Geoff Bodine will join Ernie Irvan, another past Cup Series winner at Watkins Glen, as part of a meet-and-greet from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 9 at GCP Discount Liquors in Horseheads.