Corning, NY (WENY) -- The Corning Museum of Glass (CMoG) is already getting into race mode.

Because of the Coronavirus, CMoG hosted a virtual Q&A session with a theme surrounding how glass connects the community. This week’s “Connected by Glass” featured Watkins Glen Internationals President and a decorated driver. CMoG may be temporarily closed, due to the pandemic but they're still offering lessons on how certain special glass pieces are made. Anyone can ask questions and take part in the presentation. This week focused on Corning Museum’s connection with the world-renowned track of the Finger Lakes and it comes just in time for the racing season to begin.

Many sports have been canceled because of the pandemic, but not motorsports. NASCAR, Formula 1, have all decided to hold their competitions only with no fans. The racing season will get started this weekend.

“We're all dealing with this COVID-19. So we're racing at Darlington, this weekend, no fans. We got a race Sunday with the cup cars, Xfinity on Tuesday,” said Michael Printup, WGI’s president.

Thanks to CMoG racing fans could get their fix early. The virtual session on Thursday focused on the partnership between the museum and WGI and in particular how CMoG has a hand in making the winner’s trophy.

“As the years have gone by we've made the trophy over and over again. We do subtle tweaks. They've gotten a little bit bigger, some of the lines have gotten a little more exaggerated,” said Eric Meeks, the Hot Glass Program Manager for CMoG.    

“Connected by Glass” also featured a surprise guest; someone who has multiple CMoG WGI trophies.

Marcos Ambrose won WGI in 2012. As such, he can say that he’s the first person to hold the first glass trophy, that was created by CMoG.

“It's really really heavy and here's blue. It's got some beautiful lines and when you hold it parallels you've got the track inside,” said Ambrose, while holding the award horizontal.

“He and Tony, Tony Stewart have the most wins ever at Watkins Glen International,” said Printup.

Printup added that because he won a street has also been named after Ambrose. CMoG also makes it interactive for fans who also got a chance to ask questions. Questioned ranged from how the trophy is made to Ambroses' favorite moment. But most importantly, would WGI be affected by COVID-19. Printup has said they’re going to continue as if the race is still on. They’ve sold out each year since Ambrose won.

“It's back to racing. and it's good for the world, it's good for America. We all want to get back to normal,” said Printup.

This all comes as the Southern Tier sets to open on Friday.

“If you're enjoying ‘Connected by Glass’ please remember that the museum certainly at this time needs your support,” said Meeks.

Next week on May 21st, at 1:00 PM the topic will be the Netflix show “Blown Away”, where they’ll chat with the shows producer, host, and contest winner. You can still support the museum by going to https://www.cmog.org/get-involved/give.