Michael Printup, a motorsports executive who spent nearly three decades with NASCAR and later served as president of Watkins Glen International, has passed away.
Racing America confirmed Printup’s passing in a statement on Thursday, calling him “an icon in motorsports, a great partner and a friend,” and praising his passion for racing and long-standing commitment to the industry. He was most recently Chief Operating Officer of Racing America.
Printup first joined Racing America in July 2023 as president of the Sportscar Vintage Racing Association. In January 2024, he was promoted to Chief Operating Officer, overseeing the Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli and all racing operations.
A native of Hamburg in the Buffalo area, Printup began working for International Speedway Corporation in 2000. ISC, which was Watkins Glen International’s parent company, merged with NASCAR in 2019. Before coming to Watkins Glen, Printup served as senior director of facility management at Michigan International Speedway.
Printup became track president at Watkins Glen International in June of 2009, a role he held for more than a decade. During his tenure, the historic racetrack underwent approximately $56 million in capital improvement projects, including major infrastructure and fan-experience upgrades.
Under his leadership, Watkins Glen saw sustained growth in attendance and national visibility. The track’s featured NASCAR Cup Series weekend recorded seven consecutive grandstand sellouts, and the facility successfully expanded into non-racing events, including music festivals for the jam band Phish in 2011 and 2015, as well as the Wine Festival and other special race weekends.
In addition to his role at Watkins Glen, Printup oversaw NASCAR’s food service contract with Levy for 12 NASCAR-owned racetracks. He was previously president of Americrown, a NASCAR subsidiary responsible for catering, concessions, and merchandise sales until 2020.
“He will be deeply missed,” Racing America said in its statement. “Our thoughts and condolences are with Michael’s family, friends, and colleagues.”
Printup is survived by his wife, Stephanie; his sons Brendan (Caitlin) and Matthew; and his granddaughters Sophia and Vivienne.
A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, from 2 to 4 p.m. at James A. Dyal Funeral Home, 303 South Main Street in Summerville, South Carolina.
Have all the Finger Lakes news from Finger Lakes News Radio delivered to your email every morning for FREE! Sign up by clicking here
