The Rochester Knighthawks launched their partnership with Watkins Glen International on April 15 with a three-stop promotional tour of the Flower City. NASCAR Cup Series driver Zane Smith joined Knighthawks players for a day of food, fun, and lacrosse.
“Partnering with Watkins Glen International is incredibly valuable for our organization,” said Knighthawks President and General Manager Dan Carey. “Being just 80 miles from Rochester, it’s a natural fit and opens the door for exciting co-branding opportunities moving forward. We were thrilled to host NASCAR driver Zane Smith, giving our players the chance to show him around the city and introduce him to the game of lacrosse.”
Smith and the Knighthawks at Total Sports Experience with Sweetlax Upstate on 4/15/26…(photo credit/James Baehr)
The partnership between the Knighthawks and Watkins Glen International is a natural match for fans of high-energy sports. The Knighthawks compete in the National Lacrosse League (NLL), playing the indoor version of the game—often called the fastest game on two feet. The NLL is known for its electric, high-energy atmosphere, combining fast-paced box lacrosse with constant music, energetic PA announcements, and intense crowd engagement.
Watkins Glen International, meanwhile, draws hundreds of thousands of racing fans each season. Dating back to 1948, the historic road course blends tradition with the intensity of modern racing, as drivers navigate high-speed braking zones and sweeping turns.
“We had a lot of fun last week partnering with the Rochester Knighthawks to share in the joy of sport and support for the Rochester community,” said Dawn Burlew, President of Watkins Glen International. “It was great to see our NASCAR Cup Series driver Zane Smith and the Knighthawks players connect as they spent time with the kids at Golisano Children’s Hospital and the practice at Total Sports Experience.”
On April 15, Smith joined Knighthawks players Dan Coates, Ryland Rees, and Connor Fields for a full day of community outreach. The group shared lunch at The Distillery on Mt. Hope, visited Golisano Children’s Hospital to sign autographs and play games with young patients, and later took part in a Sweetlax lacrosse practice at Total Sports Experience (TSE) in Gates.
The day began at longtime corporate partner The Distillery, where Coates and Fields had the opportunity to sit in the Watkins Glen International pace car. The group also exchanged stories about life as professional athletes with Smith, who drives the No. 38 Front Row Motorsports in the NASCAR Cup Series.
For Knighthawks captain Dan Coates, a longtime NASCAR fan, the experience was especially memorable. He plans to attend the Go Bowling at The Glen NASCAR Cup Series race on Sunday, May 10.
“It was a really cool experience—Zane was a great guy,” Coates said. “We definitely learned what his day-to-day is like. I was fortunate to spend the day with him, Fields, and Rees, and I must have asked him 80 to 100 questions. There’s a lot of mental and physical preparation that goes into his craft, which is similar to ours. It gave us a behind-the-scenes look at how he prepares for a race, and we were able to share how we prepare for our sport.”
Smith and the Knighthawks at the Distillery on 4/15/26…(photo credit/James Baehr)
Like his lacrosse counterparts, Smith’s routine includes recovery, strength training, film study, and practice. The 26-year-old follows a regimented weekly schedule in preparation for each race.
“A lot of simulator work – that for some races we start weeks in advance, film review from past races at upcoming tracks to see what we could have done better or what we need to keep the same,” he said. “We’ll go out and practice live pit stops to make sure we’re sharp in that area. Then you go into the endurance side of it, which is a good bit of running and biking. Heat training is really important because these cars turn into 140-degree ovens when you start getting into hotter races.”
Following lunch, the group visited Golisano Children’s Hospital, where smiles filled the room. Rees called bingo as more than a dozen patients followed along on their boards, with winners selecting prizes from a gift wall featuring toys, games, and stuffed animals.
Fields, whose mother is a nurse at Oishei Children’s Hospital in Buffalo, found the visit especially meaningful.
“It was special to visit Golisano Children’s Hospital and help brighten the day for kids facing difficult circumstances,” Fields said. “As a father of two, it really makes you think about your own children and how fortunate you are. My heart goes out to the kids and their families. If I can put a smile on a child’s face, I feel like I’ve made a difference.”
Golisano Children’s Hospital provides comprehensive care across more than 40 pediatric specialty areas, serving over 85,000 children and their families each year while advancing education and research in pediatric medicine.
Rees, Fields, and Coates at Golisano Children’s Hospital on 4/15/26…(photo credit/James Baehr)
“The visit from the Knighthawks and the NASCAR driver provides a fun and engaging opportunity for the pediatric patients to interact with professional athletes,” said Wendy Lane, Director of Child Life at GCH. “These types of interactions can brighten their day and bring smiles to our patients. We are thankful to our community of professional athletes for taking the time to come.”
The final stop of the day brought the group to Total Sports Experience in Gates. Smith was presented with a custom Knighthawks jersey featuring his name and car number before joining youth players and Knighthawks players on the turf, alongside team mascot, Chopper.
A quick learner, Smith jumped into drills, taking shots and exchanging passes while picking up tips from the pros.
“It was really cool to be able to learn a new sport with professionals like that,” said Smith. “I’ve done a lot of stops over the last few years with NFL, hockey, basketball teams, but this was a new one for me. The guys were super cool to me and gave me some great tips, but it wasn’t quite enough to not get chirped by the kids’ teams! Such a cool experience overall, and I’ll have to make it out to a game sometime to see these guys in action. I’ve heard box lacrosse is insane to see live.”
Rees, who showcased his 100-plus miles-per-hour shot and wizardry with a lacrosse stick, was humbled to take part in the events. He also has a new favorite driver, as Smith endeared himself to everyone he met along the way.
“Getting to meet Zane and the Watkins Glen group was awesome,” said Knighthawks alternate captain Ryland Rees. “Learning about NASCAR and what it takes to compete at that level was really interesting. It was an incredible day—from lunch at The Distillery to bingo at Golisano Children’s Hospital to playing lacrosse at TSE. I’m grateful to have been a small part of it.”
Rees and Smith at Total Sports Experience on 4/15/26…(photo credit/James Baehr)