MIS doesn't expect to lose race date: Michigan International Speedway president Roger Curtis has advice for fans worried about the 2-mile superspeedway losing a NASCAR Sprint Cup date in 2011: Don't worry. Rumors have ramped up that MIS is among the International Speedway Corporation tracks in jeopardy of losing a race now that it appears likely Kansas Speedway will get a second date. Curtis answered questions during a web telecast with fans Wednesday night. "That is completely false," Curtis said of the rumors. "I have been reassured by senior management at International Speedway Corporation that MIS will not be losing a date. We do sign our sanctioning agreements with NASCAR on a year-by-year basis, but I have not heard anything from NASCAR that would indicate that we are close to losing a date by their criteria. We have invested $55 million over the last few years, and we are going to invest a lot more. We are going to invest a lot more over the next three years and we are going to continue to improve things for fans." Curtis also was asked if MIS is considering putting up lights so the track could host a night race. He said don't expect that to happen any time soon. He pointed out that it would cost about $17 million to light up the track, and there are other areas that need to be addressed first.(Michigan Live)(2-25-2010)
Michigan International Speedway goes smokeless: All grandstand seating, mezzanines, concession and restroom buildings, suites and chalets at Michigan International Speedway will be smoke-free, racetrack officials have announced. The ban comes on the heels of a state measure that will go into effect May 1, banning smoking in public places. “Not only are we adhering to the law, but we are addressing a growing number of concerns from our race fans who do not smoke,” MIS President Roger Curtis said. “Race fans who smoke, can still do so in approved areas. We appreciate all our fans for their understanding and patience.” Smokers may choose to smoke in open-air areas behind the grandstands, in the New Holland Fan Plaza and in campgrounds. The Champions Club, seating and adjacent patios will also be smoke-free. Anyone who does not adhere to the new smoke-free policy will be subject to fines by state and county enforcement officials who are on site during race weekends. Signs will be posted throughout the grandstands, reminding fans of non-smoking areas. Affordable tickets, wider seats, larger infield campsites and earlier NASCAR Sprint Cup start times are just a few of the fan initiatives in place at MIS. Fans are celebrated year-round with the Fan Appreciation Program presented by LifeLock. Check out MISpeedway.com or call the MIS ticket hotline at 800-354-1010 for details.(MIS)(2-24-2010)
MIS Cares makes grant donations to various organizations: In its first year, Michigan International Speedway’s charitable arm, MIS Cares, took positive steps toward providing assistance to various organizations in 2009. MIS Cares donated more than $15,000 in grant donations to a number of area organizations and charities, including the American Red Cross, Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC) and the Salvation Army’s Toys for Tots campaign. At its annual community holiday luncheon in December, MIS Cares presented checks to the Great Lakes Region of the American Red Cross and MUCC. The Red Cross received a donation of $8,000 to support the Spirit of America Blood Drive in addition to the $100,000 it received from MIS Director of Guest Services Tim Booth winning the Home Depot NMPA Humanitarian Award in November. Booth won the award for his efforts in making the Spirit of America Blood Drive the largest of its kind on 9-11. The MUCC received $5,700 to support the restoration of the beach at Cedar Lake in the Waterloo Recreation Area and for new camp programming for the Michigan Out-of-Doors Youth Camp. The Salvation Army’s Toys for Tots program in Jackson, Mich., received a donation from MIS Cares of $1,350, along with over 3,000 toys that were collected by the track’s Track Drive for Charity. The track drive was held in early December and allowed race fans to take a lap around the historic two-mile MIS oval for the donation of a toy or food item. The drive collected over 3,000 toys and also thousands of food items, which in turn was donated to the CCIS Food Pantry in Brooklyn, Mich. In 2010, MIS Cares plans to hold a variety of events surrounding its NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race weekends in June and August. Fishing tournaments along with another track drive are planned in the upcoming year. MIS’ Value Pricing Period begins on Feb. 1. NASCAR Sprint Cup Series tickets for the Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips 400 on June 13 and CARFAX 400 on August 15 will be as low as $25. Visit MISpeedway.com or call the MIS ticket hotline at 800-354-1010 on Feb. 1 to take advantage of great pricing for 2010 events at MIS.(MIS)(2-2-2010)
Sabates apologizes to Michigan: The fans have spoken; and so has Felix Sabates. The part-owner of NASCAR’s Earnhardt Ganassi Racing, who outraged many race fans and Michigan residents this week for suggesting Michigan International Speedway be cut from NASCAR’s Sprint Cup schedule because of the state’s economy, has issued an apology. “In an attempt at humor I made some comments about the city of Detroit and the people of Michigan that were in poor taste and that I sincerely apologize for,” Sabates said. “I have worked directly or indirectly with the auto industry for over 40 years as both an auto dealer and a NASCAR owner and it was never my intention to put down the auto industry, its workers, the city of Detroit or the state of Michigan. I have such respect for all of them. Speedway President Roger Curtis accepted the apology Friday, calling Sabates’ original comments, made at last week’s NASCAR media tour in Charlotte, N.C., a rally cry from the speedway’s loyal fan base who continually support the racetrack through tough economic times.Michigan PR)(1-29-2010)
VFW to sponsor Truck Series race at MIS: In an effort to recognize and salute veterans and their families around the country, the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Foundation will be the title sponsor of its first-ever NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race, the “VFW 200” on Saturday, June 12 at Michigan International Speedway. “The VFW 200 and our association with NASCAR aligns well with our mission to help America’s service members and their families. This will help bring public attention to their urgent needs,” said VFW Commander-In-Chief Thomas J. Tradewell, Sr. “The VFW Foundation has had a wonderful relationship with NASCAR driver, Kevin Harvick’s KHI racing team. We are excited about our on-going association with Kevin Harvick and proud to have the opportunity to sponsor the VFW 200. NASCAR, its fans, and the Michigan International Speedway are perfect for such a patriotic event,” added Tradewell. With the new VFW relationship, MIS has now secured sponsorship deals for all of its racing events in 2010. Additionally the Foundation will provide activities and informational venues at the track during the entire weekend to highlight the service and sacrifice of America’s U.S. service members and their families. Service members attending the event (many of whom are on leave from duty in Iraq and Afghanistan) will be given VIP status and provided with pit passes and access to NASCAR drivers, grandstand seating and complimentary food. The venue will allow the VFW Foundation to showcase its “Salute to Military Families” campaign, designed to bring awareness to the unique problems and needs of troops and their families. It will be the second year the VFW Foundation has sponsored the “Salute to Military Families” program. Through its “Unmet Needs” initiative, the VFW Foundation has provided more than $3 million in direct financial assistance to military families for rent, mortgage, utilities, vehicle repair, medical expenses and basic food assistance. For more information visit www.vfwfoundation.org. MIS’ Value Pricing Period begins on Feb. 1. NASCAR Sprint Cup Series tickets for the Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips 400 on June 13 and CARFAX 400 on August 15 will be as low as $25. Visit MISpeedway.com or call the MIS ticket hotline at 800-354-1010 on Feb. 1 to take advantage of great pricing for 2010 events at MIS.(MIS)(1-25-2010)
Fans will select logo for MIS Fan Appreciation Program: Fan appreciation is about the fans, so those closest to the program will vote on its logo. Race fans will choose the logo for Michigan International Speedway’s Fan Appreciation Program presented by LifeLock. The five choices for the logo are online at www.MISpeedway.com/fanappreciationvote. The contest will run through January 29. The logo that receives the most fan votes will be announced in early February. More info at MISDpeedway.com. Race fans who missed out on renewing tickets can leave a $30 goodwill deposit and ensure the best, guaranteed lowest prices in 2010. Deposits will be accepted through Jan. 5 only. After that, ticket prices will likely increase as demand goes up. Customers can log onto www.MISpeedway.com or call 800-354-1010 to leave a deposit.(MIS)(12-27-2009)
Heluva Good! will continue sponsor Watkins Glen; adds Michigan: Watkins Glen International announced that Heluva Good! will continue as the title sponsor for the historic road course’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race through 2011. The two year agreement is a two track deal that includes the title sponsorship for Michigan International Speedway’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race in June. The green flag is scheduled to drop on the 25th running of the Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips at The Glen at 1:00pm/et on Sunday, August 8, during its traditional weekend, and will be broadcast live on ESPN. Heluva Good! will remain the official dip product of Watkins Glen International for 2010 and 2011. The Sodus, NY-based company will become the title sponsor for the Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips 400 at Michigan International Speedway on Sunday, June 13, and be designated the official cheese and dip products of MIS.
Tickets for the entire 2010 season including the Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips at The Glen, August 5-8, and Camping World Grand Prix at The Glen, July 2-4, weekends are on sale now! Fans can take advantage of advanced sale prices and new options by calling the Watkins Glen International ticket office at 866-461-RACE (7223) or logging on to the official website, www.TheGlen.com.(WGI)
AND Race fans who missed out on renewing tickets at Michigan International Speedway can leave a $30 goodwill deposit and ensure the best, guaranteed lowest prices in 2010. Deposits will be accepted through Jan. 5 only. After that, ticket prices will likely increase as demand goes up. More info at MISpeedway.com.(12-17-2009)
Tim Booth wins Home Depot NMPA 2009 Humanitarian Award: Michigan International Speedway’s Director of Guest Services Tim Booth was selected as the winner of the Humanitarian Award ahead of NASCAR drivers Tony Stewart and Greg Biffle, who were also finalists. For receiving the prestigious honor from The Home Depot and National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA), Booth will receive $100,000 that will be donated on his behalf to the Spirit of America Blood Drive. Booth, Stewart and Biffle were recognized during the NASCAR NMPA Myers Brother Awards program in Las Vegas on Thursday. Stewart and Biffle will be awarded $25,000 for their respective charities for being named as finalists.
“Just to have been nominated is truly a great honor, and I am humbled,” Booth said. “The reality is this award is not about any one, single nominee or finalist, but rather about donating one’s time for a cause that you believe in – any amount of time and any cause will do. It’s about giving, isn’t it? So thank you to Home Depot and the NMPA for this great honor, and thank you for supporting my charity. Greg, Tony and I are all winners on our charities’ behalves.”
Booth was nominated for the Humanitarian Award for his efforts in making the Spirit of America Blood Drive at MIS the nation’s largest 9-11 blood drive event. The Spirit of America has collected a grand total of 6,213 units of blood, potentially benefiting 18,639 people since its inception in 2002. (Each unit of blood can be transfused to up to three people.) Booth has made countless efforts to support various non-profit organizations in his community, but none as much as the Great Lakes Region of the American Red Cross. His creation of the Spirit of America Blood Drive, which began at MIS in 2002, was a way to honor the victims and heroes of September 11, 2001. The blood drive’s success caught the eye of the NASCAR Foundation, which has since created the NASCAR Foundation Blood & Marrow Drive, which is hosted at 30 race tracks across the country on September 11. Booth is also a regular blood donor who has personally given blood 146 times, which amounts to more than 18 gallons in his lifetime. The NMPA Home Depot Humanitarian Award was established in 2007.(MIS)(12-4-2009)
MIS receives prestigious award: Michigan International Speedway has been recognized by the Entrepreneurial & Business Excellence Hall of Fame because of the impact the racetrack annually makes on Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan. Track President Roger Curtis accepted the Business Excellence Award on behalf of the speedway. MIS was the only Michigan business to receive an award from the Ohio-based group during a ceremony Thursday night. “This is a very special award and we are honored to have received it,” Curtis said. “Even though we are located in Michigan, the impact we make on the Toledo and Northwest Ohio area is immeasurable. However, it goes both ways because many of our race fans come from the same Northwest Ohio area and we appreciate all the support we receive from them each and every year.” MIS has made a tremendous economic impact to area businesses in the Toledo area during NASCAR Sprint Cup Series weekends. More than 100,000 race fans annually attend the speedway’s events twice a year – a boon to the region. Hotels, restaurants, grocery stores and gas stations from as far away as Toledo, about 65 miles southeast of the speedway, see the benefits of having racing in the Irish Hills of Michigan.
The Entrepreneurial & Business Excellence Hall of Fame was created to encourage, promote, and recognize outstanding entrepreneurship, family business and business excellence. The program was formed to foster and honor entrepreneurial success and business innovation and excellence in the region. The EBE Hall of Fame fosters and strengthens the entrepreneurial spirit in the region, and the annual awards program recognizes and honors some of the region’s most outstanding entrepreneurs and business leaders. The best, guaranteed lowest prices in 2010 will go to customers who make a $30 goodwill deposit. New customers can log onto www.MISpeedway.com or call 800-354-1010 to leave a deposit. That deposit ensures race fans get the best pricing for 2010.(MIS)(11-24-2009)
MIS to allow dogs in Graves Farm Campground: In an ongoing effort to help fans make their race weekends more affordable, Michigan International Speedway is allowing dogs in its Graves Farm Campground for the 2010 season. Many race fans who are pet owners incur costs to board their dogs when they head to the Irish Hills track for its NASCAR events. Opening the Graves Farm Campground to campers and their dogs will give fans the opportunity to camp with their pups. Rules apply for race fans and their dogs in the Graves Farm Campground:
* The campground is open to dogs only.
* Dogs must be on a leash no longer than six feet at all times
* Dogs must remain within the confines of the pet owners’ campsite
* Leashed dogs may be walked on the walking trail
* All owners must clean up after their dog
* Dogs are not permitted in the New Holland Fan Plaza or through the ticket gates unless they are service dogs
Nestled in the lush Irish Hills of Southeastern Michigan, Michigan International Speedway is the Great Escape, a venerable NASCAR national park where fans can get away and enjoy the very best in racing and camaraderie. It’s the love of racing and the thrill of a great time for race fans and drivers alike. The best, guaranteed lowest prices in 2010 will go to renewal customers and new customers who make a $30 goodwill deposit. Current, 2009 customers will have the chance to renew at the best pricing available when they receive their renewal packets. New customers can log onto www.MISpeedway.com or call 800-354-1010 to leave a deposit. That deposit ensures race fans get the best pricing for 2010.(MIS)(11-2-2009)
Steel construction under way for MIS infield project: Construction crews have begun erecting steel at the site of Michigan International Speedway’s $17 million suite and media center building project. The two-story project design calls for 30 corporate suites that span the second floor of the structure. The suites will sit atop a state-of-the-art media, technology and meeting center. Print, radio and TV journalists will have ample space to work and cover MIS’ popular events. Separate rooms for large press conferences and competitor meetings will also be housed on the first floor, near a new kitchen and press dining area. Demolition of the old suite/media center building occurred the day after the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series CARFAX 400 race last August. The scope of Phase One of the project also includes modifying pit road and the current fire lane. The speedway’s fueling station in the garage will also be moved. The project is the largest at MIS since the construction of the suite tower in 2005. In that venture, the speedway’s motorsports fan display area was also expanded and paved. Phase One of the master plan redesign of the infield is just one piece of an ongoing transformation at MIS. In all, MIS will have spent more than $55 million since 2005 on various capital improvement projects from enhanced seating to a new scoreboard and public address system, to better campsites and directional signage — all with the fan in mind. Future hopes for the speedway include an eventual Phase Two of an infield renovation to create a fan walk-style entertainment area with fan-accessible garages.
The best, guaranteed lowest prices in 2010 will go to renewal customers and new customers who make a $30 goodwill deposit. Current, 2009 customers will have the chance to renew at the best pricing available when they receive their renewal packets. New customers can log onto www.MISpeedway.com or call 800-354-1010 to leave a deposit. That deposit ensures race fans get the best pricing for 2010.(MIS)(10-18-2009)
Connected vehicle testing begins at MIS : Official testing of connected vehicle technology at Michigan International Speedway has now become a reality. Following a January announcement by MIS, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and Center for Automotive Research (CAR) to use MIS’ road course as a test facility for connected vehicle technology, August 24 marked the official date those efforts took place. The R&D testing partnership was announced after MIS was selected out of more than 20 sites in a Michigan Tech Research Institution (MTRI) study commissioned by MDOT to locate a connected vehicle test location within the state. TEAMLINC, a product of Westlake, Ohio,-based Western DataCom and the U.S. Army Tank Automotive Research Development Center (TARDEC), demonstrated connected vehicle capabilities with their secure Mobile Ad Hoc Networking (MANET) technologies for the U.S. Army National Automotive Center. For more info and see some pictures, go to MISpeedway.com.(MIS)(9-1-2009)
Jeff Burton puts final touches on MIS suite demolition project: The final piece of the Michigan International Speedway suite building came down in thrilling fashion on Wednesday, courtesy of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver #31-Jeff Burton. Burton, with the help of equipment from his sponsor Caterpillar (CAT), finished off the old suite building to make room for a new and improved suite/media center building, scheduled for completion in June 2010. Despite having CAT as the primary sponsor for his #31 Chevy, Burton has had few opportunities to operate a piece of CAT equipment before. With the assistance of Clark Construction, who is overseeing the $17 million project, and instruction from equipment operator Ron Reinke of Blue Star Demolition, Burton tore down the last remaining piece of the infield structure. “I’ve had very few opportunities to operate a piece of CAT equipment and that was sure a lot of fun,” Burton said. “I can’t say enough for MIS and other racetracks in NASCAR who do such a wonderful job of continuing to invest money into their facilities to make them the best possible venues for our loyal NASCAR fans.” With current MIS suite holders, CAT employees, MIS fans and local media looking on, Burton put on a good show for his first demolition project. “It’s not as easy as it looks that’s for sure,” Burton said. “After a little practice I was getting the hang of it. I enjoyed it.” Demolition and construction of the infield redesign began immediately following the track’s Show Me the CARFAX Race Weekend on August 14-16. Track fire crews and staff spent the night of the race and the next day to complete move-out of the 27-year-old building.
The new two-story suite/media center building calls for 31 corporate suites that span the second floor of the structure. A number of the suites will include movable walls so areas can expand or decrease based on partners’ needs, building upon MIS’ philosophy to tailor custom packages to each partners’ business goals. The suites will sit atop a state-of-the-art media, technology and meeting center. Print, radio and TV journalists, including their photographer counterparts from across all news mediums, will have ample space to work and cover MIS’ popular events. Separate rooms for large press conferences and competitor meetings will also be housed on the first floor, near a new kitchen and press dining area.
The scope of Phase One of the project also includes modifying pit road and the current fire lane. The speedway’s fueling station in the garage area will also be moved, and the pedestrian tunnel will be expanded. Phase One of the master plan redesign of the infield is just one piece of an ongoing transformation at MIS. In all, MIS will have spent more than $55 million since 2005 on various capital improvement projects. The best, guaranteed lowest prices in 2010 will go to renewal customers and new customers who make a $30 goodwill deposit. Current, 2009 customers will have the chance to renew at the best pricing available when they receive their renewal packets. New customers can log onto MISpeedway.com or call 800-354-1010 to leave a deposit.(MIS)(8-30-209)
MIS drops prices on ALL seats, widens some seats: Michigan International Speedway has extended its fan appreciation program by lowering ticket prices in every grandstand for 2010 during the renewal and deposit period. During that time, grandstand ticket prices will be reduced five% to 63% across the board, so a family of four could attend a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at MIS in 2010 on June 13 or Aug. 15 for $50. This sweeping initiative means a general admission seat will cost $25; a reserved seat will start at $35. It also includes a drop on wristband pricing for the track’s infield camping guests from $100 to $60 during renewals.
To ensure MIS remains a destination for families, the racetrack is also introducing special youth pricing where kids 17 and younger will be half price in any grandstand seat. This youth pricing comes on the heels of MIS allowing kids 12 and younger in general admission seats for 2009’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series events. That initiative will continue in 2010. MIS will also offer flexible payment plans to help fans with renewals and deposits.
Pricing helps people make the trip to MIS — the experience keeps them coming back. So the speedway will widen the seats in the Center Grandstand from 18 inches to 20 inches; and from 18 inches to 22 inches in the Turn 3 Grandstand. This move will reduce the capacity of MIS to about 120,000 [from around 129,000] and is an extension of the seat improvement initiative that has taken place at MIS over the past three years. The speedway rebuilt the “silver seats” in Turn 1 with grandstands from the former Pikes Peak International Raceway in Colorado and Nazareth Speedway in Pennsylvania.
Ticket renewal packets will be sent to all current customers in the coming weeks. New race fans or fans who have not been to MIS in a year can leave a goodwill deposit for 2010, ensuring they have guaranteed best pricing, by calling 800-354-1010 or logging onto www.MISpeedway.com.(MIS)(8-17-2009)
Carfax and MIS partner to neutralize carbon emissions: Carfax and Michigan International Speedway announced they will help neutralize the carbon dioxide emissions resulting from energy and auto use during the “Show Me the CARFAX Race Weekend” at MIS. This precedent-setting initiative is the result of a partnership between Carfax, MIS and The Conservation Fund to help curb climate change and restore habitat for wildlife. Carfax and MIS are working with The Conservation Fund’s Go Zero program to zero out the CO2 emissions that result from the facility’s energy use during the race weekend and fuel used by fans traveling to and from the festivities. The effort will also cover the emissions from the race cars during both NASCAR events at MIS — the CARFAX 400 Sprint Cup Series race on Sunday and CARFAX 250 Nationwide Series race on Saturday, and qualifying and practice sessions on Friday and Saturday. Nearly 4,000 trees will be planted at Mingo National Wildlife Refuge in southeastern Missouri as part of Carfax and Michigan International Speedway’s efforts. Carfax was founded in Missouri and its data center is located in Columbia, Mo. This marks the third straight year Carfax has neutralized the activities of its NASCAR programs at MIS. The company’s past efforts included the 2007 and 2008 CARFAX 250 races, and the emissions from a Sprint Cup car it sponsored in Michigan in 2008. MIS is committed to environmental management practices which will provide a healthy and sustainable environment and enhance the lives of its guests and employees. MIS was the first sports facility in Michigan to join the Michigan Business Pollution Prevention Partnership (MBP3). It is a member of the federal program, EPA WasteWise, with recycling programs totaling more than 2 million tons in 2008. MIS is also pioneering utility reduction programs, wetland remediation and restoration programs, and alternative energy programs. The racetrack announced in June that its new infield suite/media center will be solar powered.
Additionally, NASCAR partnered with MIS in June for its “NASCAR Green Clean Air” program to help capture the carbon emissions produced by racing. The sanctioning body vowed to plant 10 trees for each green flag that drops during NASCAR Sprint Cup Series events at the track. MIS matched the number of trees tallied from green flags at the June event, and 80 trees will be planted at the racetrack in October. MIS is one of eleven tracks piloting NASCAR Green Clean Air. For the 2010 season, the program will roll out to the entire NASCAR Sprint Cup Series circuit, planting approximately 20 acres of trees.
Great seats are available by calling 800-354-1010 or logging onto MISpeedway.com.(MIS)(8-16-2009)
MIS unveils new and improved infield bus to lucky fan: Maurice “Moe” Clark was ecstatic beyond belief when he first saw his new and improved infield bus. “The bus looks so great. This is amazing and I’m so thankful for all of this,” Clark said. Clark was the recipient of a Michigan International Speedway Extreme Bus Makeover, which was unveiled to Clark on Thursday during infield camper lineup for the CARFAX 400 race weekend. MIS President Roger Curtis ran into Clark during infield camper lineup for the June LifeLock 400 race weekend. After careful examination, Curtis and the staff at MIS decided to give Clark a bus makeover. “The inside of the bus looked like Donald Trump’s condo, so we decided that the outside of the bus needed to look like the inside. Because the outside had a lot of work to do,” Curtis said during the unveiling. Previously called “The Bucksnort Lodge,” the yellow and black eyesore serves its purpose during its biannual treks to Michigan International Speedway’s infield. The bus leaked oil and smoked a little on the road, but it sleeps six and has all the comforts of home. Clark and his wife have been attending races in MIS’ infield for the past six years. Every year, twice a year, they make the 320-mile round-trip journey to MIS from Yale, in the “thumb” of Michigan.
So two weeks ago, Clark and his bus made the trek down to MIS for a much needed makeover. Over a two week period, MIS staff members Tim Lamb, Jesus Salvador, Randy Titler, Dustin Gilbert and Jamie Nichols (amongst many others) turned the old Bucksnort Lodge into a truly remarkable bus on wheels. A good paint job and many decals later, the bus turned into the newly-named “Promise Keeper.” The name was created because Curtis kept his promise to Clark back in June that he would do this for him. The bus will now be proudly displayed amongst all the other infield campers, who are in town celebrating the return of the NASCAR Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series’ to the Irish Hills. Great seats are available by calling 800-354-1010 or logging onto MISpeedway.com.(MIS)(8-15-2009)
MIS Implements Fan Texting Service: Michigan International Speedway (“MIS”) has partnered with InStadiumSolutions (“ISS”) to implement a text-message based communication system at the facility. The service debuted this past June at MIS and will be available to fans again during the “Show Me the Carfax Race Weekend.” The text messaging system allows fans to communicate directly with the racetrack’s command post if assistance is needed in dealing with any special needs inside the facility. Texting instructions will be placed prominently throughout the facility via static signage and will be regularly broadcast through audio and video public announcements. Great seats are available by calling 800-354-1010 or logging onto MISpeedway.com.(MIS)(8-13-2009)
Verizon adds cell site around MIS: Verizon Wireless has activated a temporary cell site to improve its voice and data network around the Michigan International Speedway (MIS) in Brooklyn, MI and accommodate the anticipated crowd of about 100,000 visitors attending the NASCAR races and related events August 14-16. The company has deployed a Cell on Light Truck (COLT) to boost capacity in the area surrounding the race track. A COLT is a fully functional, generator-powered mobile cell site that enhances wireless capacity in a specific location--and works especially well in dense areas with large crowds. Additionally, Verizon Wireless has upgraded equipment on its existing cell sites in the area that provide coverage in and around MIS. Collectively the company's upgrades will boost voice capacity by 600% and data capacity by more than 1,000%.(Reuters.com)(8-13-2009)
Grand Marshals named for MIS races: Carfax named blues singer and songwriter Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Jordan and Jacob Vanderstel as grand marshals for the upcoming ‘Show Me the CARFAX Race Weekend’ at MIS. Shepherd will grand marshal the NASCAR Nationwide Series CARFAX 250 on Saturday, Aug. 15. Jordan and Jacob Vanderstel will handle the duty for the first-ever NASCAR Sprint Cup Series CARFAX 400 on Sunday, Aug. 16. “We couldn’t have better representatives to help us kick off both races,” said Larry Gamache, communications director at Carfax. “Jordan and Jacob are great kids whose excitement and enthusiasm typifies what NASCAR fans can expect this weekend at MIS. Kenny is an incredible artist who continues the tradition of post-race performers serving as the CARFAX 250 grand marshal.” Nineteen year-old Jordan and fourteen year-old Jacob, from Hudsonville, Mich., were diagnosed with muscular dystrophy. They receive care through the Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital in Grand Rapids, Mich. Both are huge NASCAR fans; Jordan’s favorite driver is Jimmie Johnson while Jacob prefers Jeff Gordon.
American blues guitarist, singer and songwriter Kenny Wayne Shepherd will perform a post-race concert following the CARFAX 250 on Saturday, Aug. 15 at Michigan International Speedway. Shepherd will also serve as the grand marshal for the NASCAR Nationwide Series race earlier that day. “I’m very excited to perform following the CARFAX 250,” Shepherd said. “This is a perfect opportunity for me to combine my passion for playing music with my passion for fast cars and racing. Cars and guitars are what it’s all about for me.” Returning to Lot 10 off US 12 near the speedway’s administration building, the concert is free for anyone with a CARFAX 250 Nationwide Series race ticket or infield wristband. Grandstand security rules will be in effect for the post-race concert. Please refer to the online guest guide at MISpeedway.com to review the grandstand security rules. Empire Drift will serve as the opening act. Tickets for the ‘Show Me the Carfax Race Weekend’ are available through www.mispeedway.com or by calling the speedway’s ticket hotline at 800-354-1010. For more information about Carfax visit www.carfax.com.(MIS)(8-11-2009)
Chris Young to perform Carfax 400 national anthem: Country music star and RCA Nashville recording artist Chris Young will bring his distinct music style to the stage at Michigan International Speedway by performing the national anthem for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Carfax 400 on Sunday, August 16. Young is scheduled to perform during pre-race festivities beginning around 1:30pm before the start of the CARFAX 400. Young has also agreed to perform a song in Acceleration presented by Budweiser, the speedway’s fan hospitality club, prior to pre-race. Tickets are on sale for the CARFAX 400 by calling 800-354-1010 or logging onto MISpeedway.com.(MIS)(8-11-2009)
Tickets Still Available for 21st MSHFA Induction Ceremony: Tickets varying in price from $75 to $750 are available for the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America's 21st Annual Induction Ceremony at the Fillmore Theater in Detroit on Wednesday Aug. 12. Racing fans can see the ceremony live from the Fillmore's intimate balcony with a $75 ticket. More info and other ticket packages can be viewed at mshf.com. Racing legends Kenny Bernstein, David Hobbs, Scott Parker, Les Richter, Al Unser, Jr., H.A. “Humpy” Wheeler and Joe Weatherly will be inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America.(Motorsports Hall of Fame of America)(8-8-2009)
Michigan Residents take advantage of 99-cent gas: People in Michigan haven’t seen gas prices at 99 cents per gallon since the early 1990’s. However, with the help of CARFAX and Michigan International Speedway, a gallon of gas was less than a buck Thursday [July 30th] morning in Livonia, Mich. For three hours (6:00am to 9:00am) thousands of area residents took advantage of the promotion, which was held in support of the “Show Me the CARFAX Race Weekend,” which takes place at MIS with the NASCAR Nationwide Series CARFAX 250 on Saturday, August 15 and the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series CARFAX 400 on Sunday, August 16. With about 6,800 gallons pumped in a three-hour period, many residents and race fans drove away happy filling up their gas tanks for $20 or less.
When CARFAX and MIS representatives arrived at the gas station at 5:30am hundreds of cars were already lined up awaiting the great deal, which saved folks approximately $1.50 per gallon (gas was $2.49 per gallon at most surrounding stations). The promotion was not scheduled to start until 7am, but racetrack and Carfax representatives decided to get started early because of the traffic backups along 8 Mile and Middlebelt Roads – two major arteries in Livonia, a suburb of Detroit. The 2009 gas promotion is the third year Carfax and MIS have partnered to support Detroit-area drivers in advance of the NASCAR events at the Brooklyn racetrack. Tickets are still available for the Nationwide Series CARFAX 250 and Sprint Cup Series CARFAX 400 for as low as $40. For additional information, call the MIS Ticket Hotline at 800-354-1010 or visit MISpeedway.com.(MIS PR)(8-7-2009)
Carfax sponsoring Michigan race: Carfax and its dealer customers are treating NASCAR fans to another historic event next month at Michigan International Speedway. Carfax will be the title sponsor of its first-ever NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race, the CARFAX 400, on Sunday, Aug. 16. The event follows the NASCAR Nationwide Series CARFAX 250 race on Saturday, Aug. 15 as part of the "Show Me the CARFAX Race Weekend" at MIS. The doubleheader marks the first time MIS has had a corporate partner who is sponsoring both NASCAR events on the same weekend(MIS PR)(7-22-2009)
- Michigan hosting web chats for vistors: Michigan International Speedway once again brings the Guest Guide to life during a series of live Web chats, starting July 15. MIS Live!, a weekly teleconference on Ustream.tv will run every Wednesday through Aug. 5, the week prior to the NASCAR events at Michigan International Speedway. Each hour-long session in the real-time Web chats will focus on topics geared toward helping MIS customers make the most of their race weekends at the speedway. Track President Roger Curtis sees the Web chats as an opportunity to talk to fans in advance of their visits to MIS, strengthening the speedway's commitment to openness and availability to its guests. All chat sessions will begin at 7 p.m. and last about an hour. Guests can click http://www.ustream.tv/channel/MIS-Live for the MIS Live! channel link on Ustream. Ustream is a free service. Anyone can log on and watch the teleconference, however, you need a free Ustream account and password to participate.(Michigan Speedway PR)(7-12-2009)
- Majestic to perform Saturday night concert at MIS: NASCAR fans will be treated to live entertainment in the New Holland Fan Plaza throughout the June race weekend at Michigan International Speedway. The headlining musical entertainment act on Saturday night is “Majestic,” a tribute band to the band Journey. Majestic is scheduled to hit the stage around 6:20pm Saturday. Opening for Majestic will be crowd favorite cover band, “The River,” who has played numerous times at MIS and developed a huge local following, especially from the track’s infield crowd. The River will play right after the checkered flag for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race, around 4:30pm.Moving the June, Saturday night concert from the speedway’s Lot 10 to the New Holland Fan Plaza area will allow more race fans to experience live entertainment at MIS. Past concerts have required a Saturday event ticket, yet many of the campers at MIS and surrounding private campgrounds don’t purchase Saturday tickets. There will be bands playing in the New Holland Fan Plaza on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, starting as early at 9am each day. A full lineup will be posted on MISpeedway.com. Tickets are on sale by calling 800-354-1010 or logging onto the new MISpeedway.com. Michigan International Speedway.(MIS)(6-11-2009)
- Detroit Lions Head Coach Jim Schwartz Chosen as Honorary Starter: Detroit Lions Head Coach Jim Schwartz will wave the green flag as Honorary Starter for Sunday’s LifeLock 400 at Michigan International Speedway. Schwartz, who will begin his first season as the Lions’ head coach this fall, not only loves football, but shares a love of NASCAR, as well. “I’m a big NASCAR fan,” he said. “So to be involved with the race, in the shadow of Detroit, The Motor City, is an absolute thrill. I’ve always been impressed with the incredible loyalty of NASCAR fans. They stick with their teams and drivers thru thick and thin. They have the same type of passion and loyalty Lions’ fans have for our football team.” The honorary starter duties include waving the green flag to start the race. Schwartz will also receive a pace car ride from NASCAR’s official pace car driver Brett Bodine and attend the NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers’ meeting with members of the Detroit Lions football team. Grand Marshal Kid Rock will give the command at 2:07pm on Sunday, starting the LifeLock 400, followed by Schwartz, who will wave the green flag at 2:16pm. Great seats are available by calling 800-354-1010 or logging onto MISpeedway.com. Michigan International Speedway.(MIS)(6-10-2009)
- Round 1 Fan MIS appreciation winners announced: The first round of prizes have been awarded in Michigan International Speedway's fan appreciation program. Winners in Round 1 will be notified via e-mail or phone call that they have won prizes. All prizes may be claimed at the speedway's Mobile Ticket Display in the New Holland Fan Display area at MIS this weekend. In Round 2, a second wave of drawings will be held for prizes that will be awarded during the June race weekend. Everyone, even ticket-holders, who want to be considered in the second wave of drawings must register at the speedway’s Mobile Display Trailer in the New Holland Fan Display at MIS from June 12-14. More info at MISpeedway.com.(6-9-2009)
- MIS makes fans the VIPs: Michigan International Speedway has officially launched a fan appreciation program. An unofficial fan appreciation program has been under way for a few years, Curtis said, with one-off invitations and promotions on a much smaller scale during race weekends. Staffers have given away trips to the NASCAR driver’s meeting and Victory Lane, or recognized special fans with seat upgrades and garage passes. Last year, the speedway also opened up the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series garage for 250 fans. But the staff wanted to formalize its commitment to guests with something official and on a much larger scale. Under the speedway’s fan appreciation program, there will be two rounds of give-aways — Round 1 in advance of the race weekend on June 8; and Round 2 on race weekend, June 12-14. More info on the prizes and VIP deal at mispeedway.com.(6-5-2009)
- MIS and TNA Wrestling team up: Michigan Speedway and TNA Wrestling Join Forces to Offer Free Tickets to TNA Slammiversary in Detroit on June 21. Race fans heading to Michigan Speedway who buy tickets in a section labeled "Hermie's Hot Seats" for the Lifelock 400 on June 14 will get also get a free ticket to TNA Wrestling's "Slammiversary" PPV live from the Palace of Auburn Hills on Sunday June 21. SPEED analyst Hermie Sadler will be joined by TNA Wrestling's Rhino and Taylor Wilde as they visit with the fans in Hermie's section prior to the race. For ticket information, call the Michigan Speedway ticket office at 1-800-354-1010.(6-4-2009)
- Kid Rock named LifeLock 400 grand marshal: Detroit’s own Kid Rock will serve as Grand Marshal for the LifeLock 400 at Michigan International Speedway on Sunday, June 14. His current album "Rock 'N Roll Jesus" debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Top-200 chart and has sold 5 million copies around the world. The Detroit native recently announced his summer tour, presented by Red Stag by Jim Beam Bourbon, which includes a weekend party in his hometown at Comerica Park, July 17th and 18th. “I’m a huge race fan, so being asked to be Grand Marshal for the Michigan race to help kick off my summer tour with Red Stag seemed like a fun way to get the word out,” Kid Rock said. The multi-platinum recording artist will headline pre-race activities, including being recognized during driver introductions, give the famous command for drivers to start their engines and ride in the Grand Marshal car leading the field during the ceremonial parade laps. In addition, Kid Rock will join the #7 Jim Beam driver, Robby Gordon in the speedway’s fan hospitality club, Acceleration. The command for the LifeLock 400 at Michigan International Speedway is set for 2:07 p.m. Sunday, June 14. The green flag is set to wave at 2:16 p.m. Tickets, camping and Acceleration passes are on sale now. For additional information, call the MIS Ticket Hotline at 800-354-1010 or visit MISpeedway.com.(MIS)(5-27-2009)
- New emergency texting available to race patrons: International Speedway Corporation (ISC) has partnered with InStadiumSolutions to implement a text-message based communication system at all of its 12 motorsports facilities. The service was introduced last weekend during the NASCAR Nationwide and Sprint Cup races at Darlington Raceway. The system allows fans to communicate with the racetrack's command post if assistance is needed inside the facility. The technology was tested at Homestead-Miami Speedway last November during the final weekend of the NASCAR season. Instructions will be posted throughout each racetrack and will be broadcast through audio and video public announcements. Besides Darlington and Homestead-Miami, ISC owns and/or operates Daytona, Talladega, Michigan, Richmond, Auto Club Speedway, Kansas, Phoenix, Chicago, Martinsville and Watkins Glen. The Fan Text Messaging Service is also being used by several professional and college teams, as well as at events such as the Super Bowl, BCS National Championship and World Baseball Classic.(Associated Press)(5-14-2009)
- Michigan Speedway forms non-profit entity: Michigan International Speedway officials announced the establishment of MIS Cares, a 501 c (3) non-profit entity under the umbrella of the NASCAR Foundation. MIS Cares will serve as the liaison between the speedway and all of the charitable causes the speedway supports. The focus of MIS Cares is to raise money and distribute the charitable dollars through grants to non-profit groups in the region. MIS Cares will begin accepting grant applications in early 2010 and will award financial gifts twice annually. Through MIS Cares, race fans and the general public will have opportunities to become involved with the many community service projects MIS supports.(Michigan Speedway PR)(4-24-2009)
- First phase of master plan includes new suite, media center for MIS: Michigan International Speedway officials announced the first phase of a broad master plan that includes a significant redesign of the speedway’s infield. Phase One of the plan, approved by the speedway’s parent company, International Speedway Corporation, includes a more than $17 million reconstruction of the current terrace suites and media center in the track’s infield. Demolition and construction will begin immediately following the track’s August NASCAR weekend and will be ready for the 2010 season at the track. The two-story design calls for 30 corporate suites that span the second floor of the structure. A number of the suites will include movable walls so areas can expand or decrease based on partners’ needs, building upon MIS’ philosophy to tailor custom packages to each partners’ business goals. The structure’s first floor is a state-of-the-art media, technology and meeting center. Print, radio and TV journalists, including their photographer counterparts from across all news mediums, will have ample space to work and cover MIS’ popular events. Separate rooms for large press conferences and competitor meetings will also be housed on the first floor, near a new kitchen and press dining area. The suite and media center project was designed by Rossetti Associates. The Southfield, Mich., architecture, planning and design firm has created a host of sporting venues from Ford Field, home of the NFL’s Detroit Lions and the NCAA’s 2009 men’s basketball Final Four, to The Palace of Auburn Hills, home of the NBA’s Detroit Pistons. The company has an impressive portfolio of sporting, residential, commercial and educational projects across the country and around the world including Red Bull Arena in Harrison, N.J. and Sungui Stadium in Incheon, Korea. The scope of Phase One of the project includes modifying pit road and the current fire lane. The speedway’s fueling station in the garage will also be moved. The project is the largest at MIS since the construction of the suite tower in 2005. In that venture, the speedway’s motorsports fan display area was also expanded and paved. Future hopes for the speedway include an eventual Phase Two of an infield renovation to create a fan walk-style entertainment area with fan-accessible garages, along with reconfigured and enhanced infield campsites.For tickets, camping and pit passes for all MIS events, call the speedway toll free at 800-354-1010 or log onto MISpeedway.com.(MIS PR)(4-17-2009)
- Will Martinsville lose a race? Michigan? Kansas Speedway has resubmitted its bid for a casino overlooking Turn 2, a plan that was put on hold a few months ago cause of the troubled economy. When it's approved by the gaming commission Kansas Speedway will petition NASCAR for a second annual Sprint Cup race. That will probably happen in 2011. Lesa France Kennedy is the president of International Speedway Corp., which owns Kansas Speedway and 11 other facilities that play host to Cup events. The France family has controlling interest in ISC, which is headquartered in the same building as the NASCAR offices in Daytona. NASCAR chairman Brian France is Lesa's brother. But NASCAR won't add a race. Cup has too many events now at 36 points races and two all-star events. So the second Kansas date will need to come from another ISC track. Martinsville, an ISC track and the oldest facility in NASCAR, was thought to be the location that would lose a race. Don't count on it. Martinsville is the new Bristol. The resurfaced track at Bristol has eliminated much of the bumping, banging and crashing that made the short track so popular. That leaves Martinsville as the best bumper-bashing facility left. NASCAR officials aren't going to mess that up and take a race away from the old Virginia track, a move that would cause a revolt by many fans. Martinsville appears safe for keeping both Cup dates until ISC manages to build a new short track (probably more like the .75-mile oval at Richmond) in a big market like Denver or Seattle. That's a long way off, several years at least. So which ISC track will lose a Cup date to Kansas? Most fans would opt for Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif., but Michigan Speedway might be the odd-place out. Sponsors want to race twice at ACS because it's in the second largest market in the country. Michigan, an almost identical track to ACS but 30 years older, lies in one of the most depressed areas of the country. Thousands of people in the Detroit market are out of work because of the layoffs in the auto industry. Being in the backyard of GM, Chrysler and Ford's headquarters was a big reason Michigan had played host to two Cup races a year since 1969. No one knows whether all three automakers will survive. Michigan Speedway also could become a victim of the problem. How things go this season and 2010 will go a long way toward determining which ISC track loses a race to Kansas.(ESPN Insider)(4-3-2009)
- Michigan DOT amd MIS partner up on R&D Testing: The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and Michigan International Speedway (MIS) announced a unique partnership for research, development and safety innovation that could serve as a catalyst for job creation and growth opportunities for the state. MDOT and MIS have entered into a partnership to use and market the Brooklyn-based racetrack and its existing road course to agencies that manufacture and develop connected vehicle technologies. The partnership will give automakers and after-market providers the ability to test and develop connected vehicle systems in a closed, private and neutral environment. Connected vehicle technologies allow cars to “talk” to one another to prevent collisions and improve mobility and fuel efficiency. In November 2008, MDOT announced plans to deploy these advanced transportation technologies along the Telegraph Road corridor in Oakland County. The agency must test the system on a closed track, and MIS was chosen.
The use of MIS as a private road test facility is one of the final pieces that puts Michigan at the forefront of this industry-defining technology. Already home to more than 80 percent of the automotive R&D in the United States, a united effort between MIS, MDOT, Connected Vehicle Proving Center (CVPC), Center for Automotive Research (CAR), and others are under way to make Michigan the center for connected vehicle technology, development and testing. A 2007 study by Michigan State University and CAR has shown any state that successfully pulls together a fully functioning “lab to assembly line” system with connected vehicle technology, will create between 16,000 and 41,000 high tech jobs and contribute between $177 and $448 million in state income tax revenues.
At MIS, automakers and after-market providers will be able to test and develop connected vehicle systems and other technologies in a protected, closed, safe and convenient environment. Combined with MDOT’s Telegraph Road corridor project, Michigan can now offer a connected vehicle test and evaluation laboratory on both public and private roads. MIS, which served as an AMC test track for several years starting in the mid-1970s, has two 1.9-mile road courses that would be used for testing. The two-mile oval, which is used by the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series during the track’s two race weekends, could also be used for testing. In all, the racetrack is comprised of 1,400 acres, most of which the staff would consider for testing locations if a private company needed a specific terrain or environment. Testing will be available year-round with the exception of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race weekends in June and August. The road course testing project will expand the MIS footprint beyond NASCAR racing and continue the racetrack’s public-private partnership with the state. The racetrack, located in the Southeastern Michigan town of Brooklyn, is conveniently located near 80 percent of the world’s automotive engineering and R&D companies and leading universities.(MIS PR)(1-28-2009)
- Ticket renewals are under way for 2009 at MIS: The renewal process for the 2009 Michigan International Speedway season will conclude on November 3. Renewals allow the speedway’s ticket holders from 2008 to purchase tickets and camping before they go on sale to the general public on Feb. 15. The speedway is expanding its seating options for 2009 so race fans will have more leg room and seat backs. The sound system is also being revamped so race fans can hear the play-by-play race action from start to finish. MIS has also restructured some of its pricing for 2009 so fans who feel the economic pinch can keep MIS in their 2009 vacation planning. New in 2009 are general admission seats for NASCAR Sprint Cup races that start at just $40 in two grandstands. Children 12 and under may come to the races for free with their families in those seats. As always, parking is free at MIS and the speedway administration encourages guests to bring their own food or drinks to the racetrack in approved coolers. Tickets and camping will go on sale to the general public beginning on Saturday, Feb. 15 during the season-opening Daytona 500. For additional information or to place a non-refundable, $50 deposit for 2009, call the MIS Ticket Hotline at 800-354-1010.(MIS PR)(10-7-2008)
- Next round of MIS Capital Improvement Projects approved: With an additional $7 million approved for various capital improvement projects for the 2009 season, Michigan International Speedway is once again investing in its property to enhance the fans race experience. With the additional spending, MIS will have spent approximately $20 million total on improvements for fans since 2006. Projects scheduled for completion before the 2009 season will include “phase 3” of the improved grandstand seating in Turn 1, continued installation of way-finding signage around the MIS property and a new state-of-the-art sound system. All projects are a direct result of fan feedback and a progressive effort from the speedway to make the race experience better for its fans. Phase 3 of the Turn 1 grandstand project is already under way with three more of the old silver grandstands currently being torn down by construction crews and MIS personnel. Similar to the previous two years, the old grandstands will be replaced with new grandstands, which have wider seats, seatbacks and more leg room. The overall project began in 2006 and does not add seats, but merely replaces old ones. Phase 2 of the installation of way-finding signage around the MIS property will also begin in the fall. Prior to the 2008 season, phase 1 signage was installed throughout MIS. The branded signage was an immediate success by helping pedestrians, motorists and campers find their way in, out and around the 1,400-acre racetrack property. Phase 2 signage will be constructed in the Motorsports Fan Plaza, on the backs of the grandstands and around main entrances to the track.
Additionally, a new state-of-the-art public address system will be installed around the track. The project will replace the old trackside PA system and add speakers under the grandstands, at the ticket gates and throughout the Motorsports Fan Plaza. The new PA system will replace one that is 40 years old. ICOMM, based in Wixom, Mich., has handled all audio and video issues at the track since 1980. MIS will continue to use and consider Michigan-based companies in all of its capital improvement projects this off season. A vast majority of the $20 million spent since 2006 has been with Michigan-based contractors. Deposits for the 2009 season are being accepted until Friday, Jan. 2 by calling the MIS ticket office. Deposits can be redeemed on Jan. 19 and 20. Placing a deposit allows customers to purchase tickets and camping after the renewal process but before they go on sale to the public.
Tickets and camping will go on sale to the general public beginning on Saturday, Feb. 15 during the season-opening Daytona 500. For additional information, call the MIS Ticket Hotline at 800-354-1010.(MIS PR)(9-9-2008)
- MIS makes races more affordable for fans in 2009: Michigan International Speedway is offering new lower-priced ticket options to make Sprint Cup Series events more affordable for its fans in 2009. Highlights of the pricing changes include a $40 general admission ticket for the track’s Sprint Cup Series races. The Sprint Cup Series returns to the Irish Hills in 2009 on June 14 and August 16. Children 12 and under will also be admitted free of charge in the general admission area only to those events. These tickets will be available in grandstands 14 and 16, between turns 3 and 4. Additionally, ticket prices will also be lowered in upper rows 55-70 of the Turn 3 grandstand by $15. Those seats, formally $110, are now $95. Parking will remain free of charge at Michigan International Speedway, and the speedway will continue to allow fans to bring in their own food and beverages in 6x6x12-inch bags. Camping prices will also remain the same. The speedway charges a flat rate for the entire length of stay, and some of the 10 campgrounds at MIS are open up to a full seven days for one fee. For more information on 2009 pricing, seating and camping, please visit MISpeedway.com or call the MIS Ticket Hotline at 800-354-1010.(MIS PR)(9-5-2008)
- Danielle Peck to perform National Anthem for 3M Performance 400: Michigan International Speedway has announced that country music star Danielle Peck will perform the National Anthem prior to the Sprint Cup Series 3M Performance 400 presented by Bondo on Sunday. It will be the second time Peck has performed at MIS as the Coshocton, Ohio, native sang the anthem prior to the Sprint Cup Series race in August of 2006. She is scheduled to perform as opening act for fellow country star Pat Green during the Miller Lite Rock N' Racing post-race concert on Saturday, which will take place following the Nationwide Series CARFAX 250 on Saturday.(Michigan Speedway PR)(8-15-2008)
- 1 day to Cup weekend at MIS: Only 1 day remains until the 3M Performance 400 presented Bondo race weekend at Michigan International Speedway. The daily countdown leading up to the weekend - 1 - Could Dale Jr. finish first again and win two in a row at MIS? He will get his chance during the 3M Performance 400 presented by Bondo on August 17. Junior won the LifeLock 400 Sprint Cup Series race on Father's Day snapping a 76-race winless streak. It was his first career Cup victory at the Irish Hills track. Tickets are available for the 3M Performance 400 presented by Bondo NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race on Sunday, Aug. 17, along with the Saturday, Aug. 16 CARFAX 250 Nationwide Series race. Fans may purchase tickets by visiting MISpeedway.com, or by calling the MIS Ticket Hotline at 800.354.1010.(MIS PR)(8-14-2008)
- Traffic at MIS: Michigan International Speedway officials worked with MDOT and officials from the surrounding townships to come up with one of the most significant improvements in the track's 40-year history - TRAFFIC CHANGES! MDOT and MIS studied the traffic patterns extensively over a six-month period in late-2006 to come up with the traffic plan. MIS, MDOT, the Michigan State Police, POCO, Inc., a traffic control device company, and township law enforcement agencies routinely work with each other to manage race-day traffic for both race weekends. The track's operations staff and parking supervisors coordinate it all with the help of countless volunteer groups from around the surrounding communities.(MIS PR)(8-14-2008)
- Grand Marshal named for Cup race at MIS: For the 43 drivers competing in the upcoming 3M Performance 400 Presented by Bondo at Michian International Speedway, their dream is to take home the checkered flag at the end of the day. But for 12-year-old Austin Irwin, who lives in Greenfield, MO, his dream is simply to attend the race and meet some of his NASCAR heroes. Irwin suffers from Wilm's Tumor, a tumor of the kidneys that strikes children more frequently than adults. Approximately 500 cases are diagnosed in the U.S. annually. It is highly responsive to treatment, with about 90% of patients surviving at least five years. During the race weekend, Irwin will meet Greg Biffle and Jeff Gordon, among other NASCAR stars, and deliver the "Gentlemen, start your engines" command for Sunday's race. He'll be joined by his parents and younger brother. Make-A-Wish could also be a winner at the 3M Performance 400 Presented by Bondo if Greg Biffle, driver of the #16 3M Ford, goes to Victory Lane. 3M and CARSTAR have pledged a $50,000 donation to Make-A-Wish in Biffle's name if he wins the race. For tickets to the 3M Performance 400, visit www.mispeedway.com.(MIS PR)(8-13-2008)
- 2 days to Cup weekend at MIS: Only 2 days remain until the 3M Performance 400 presented Bondo race weekend at Michigan International Speedway. The daily countdown leading up to the weekend - 2 - Kurt Busch, driver of the #2 Miller Lite car, is the defending champion of the 3M Performance 400 presented by Bondo. His second career MIS victory helped propel Busch into the 12-driver Chase for the Championship. Tickets are available for the 3M Performance 400 presented by Bondo NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race on Sunday, Aug. 17, along with the Saturday, Aug. 16 CARFAX 250 Nationwide Series race. Fans may purchase tickets by visiting MISpeedway.com, or by calling the MIS Ticket Hotline at 800.354.1010.(MIS PR)(8-13-2008)
- 3 days to Cup weekend at MIS: Only 3 days remain until the 3M Performance 400 presented Bondo race weekend at Michigan International Speedway. The daily countdown leading up to the weekend - 3 - This weekend will mark the third Sprint Cup race sponsored by 3M at MIS. The Minnesota based company will be the title sponsor for the 3M Performance 400 presented by Bondo on Sunday, Aug. 17 and will also host the 3M Car Care Auto Fair in the AAA Motorsports Fan Plaza. The company's sponsorship doesn't end there, as 3M will also sponsor two Roush Fenway Racing drivers: Greg Biffle in its Sprint Cup race and Todd Kluever in the CARFAX 250 Nationwide Series event on Saturday. Tickets are available for the 3M Performance 400 presented by Bondo NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race on Sunday, Aug. 17, along with the Saturday, Aug. 16 CARFAX 250 Nationwide Series race. Fans may purchase tickets by visiting MISpeedway.com, or by calling the MIS Ticket Hotline at 800.354.1010.(MIS PR)(8-12-2008)
- 4 days to Cup weekend at MIS: Only 4 days remain until the 3M Performance 400 presented Bondo race weekend at Michigan International Speedway. The daily countdown leading up to the weekend - 4 - If you don't win the pole, you may want to start fourth at MIS.
Since NASCAR's top series began racing at MIS in 1969, 12 drivers have won races starting from the fourth position. The most recent winner from the fourth spot was Ryan Newman in the June 2004 Sprint Cup event. Fifteen drivers have won Cup races from the pole at MIS since 1969. Tickets are available for the 3M Performance 400 presented by Bondo NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race on Sunday, Aug. 17, along with the Saturday, Aug. 16 CARFAX 250 Nationwide Series race. Fans may purchase tickets by visiting MISpeedway.com, or by calling the MIS Ticket Hotline at 800.354.1010.(MIS PR)(8-11-2008)
- 5 days to Cup weekend at MIS: Only 5 days remain until the 3M Performance 400 presented Bondo race weekend at Michigan International Speedway. The daily countdown leading up to the weekend - 5 - Driver of the #5 Kellogg's/CARQUEST Chevy, Casey Mears, visited MIS this past July. Mears is no stranger to success at the two-mile Irish Hills oval. He has made 11 Sprint Cup Series starts at MIS with his best finish of fourth coming in June of 2007. Mears won his only ARCA RE/MAX Series start at MIS in 2003 and also posted four top-10 finishes in five career Nationwide Series starts at the track. He placed 11th in the 3M Performance 400 last year. Tickets are available for the 3M Performance 400 presented by Bondo NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race on Sunday, Aug. 17, along with the Saturday, Aug. 16 CARFAX 250 Nationwide Series race. Fans may purchase tickets by visiting MISpeedway.com, or by calling the MIS Ticket Hotline at 800.354.1010.(MIS PR)(8-10-2008)
- 6 days to Cup weekend at MIS: Only 6 days remain until the 3M Performance 400 presented Bondo race weekend at Michigan International Speedway. The daily countdown leading up to the weekend - 6 - Will Jeff Gordon get No. 6? By taking the pole for last year's 3M Performance 400 at MIS, Jeff Gordon now ranks third all-time in track history with five career pole awards. His speed of 189.026 was the
fastest at the track since 2005. Besides his five poles, Gordon has also won two Cup races at the two-mile oval, including in 2001 when he last won the Sprint Cup championship. Tickets are available for the 3M Performance 400 presented by Bondo NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race on Sunday, Aug. 17, along with the Saturday, Aug. 16 CARFAX 250 Nationwide Series race. Fans may purchase tickets by visiting MISpeedway.com, or by calling the MIS Ticket Hotline at 800.354.1010.(MIS PR)(8-9-2008)
- 7 days to Cup weekend at MIS: Only 7 days remain until the 3M Performance 400 presented Bondo race weekend at Michigan International Speedway. The daily countdown leading up to the weekend - 7 - Is the number of seconds by which winner of last year's CARFAX 250, Denny Hamlin, was in front of second place winner Matt Kenseth. Hamlin got into the wall in his Chevrolet during practice on Friday only to turn around and crush the competition the next day. Hamlin managed to lead the final 40 laps and received his first career victory at MIS. His margin of victory set a Nationwide Series track record for the greatest margin of victory. Tickets are available for the 3M Performance 400 presented by Bondo NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race on Sunday, Aug. 17, along with the Saturday, Aug. 16 CARFAX 250 Nationwide Series race. Fans may purchase tickets by visiting MISpeedway.com, or by calling the MIS Ticket Hotline at 800.354.1010.(MIS PR)(8-8-2008)
- 8 days to Cup weekend at MIS: Only 8 days remain until the 3M Performance 400 presented Bondo race weekend at Michigan International Speedway. The daily countdown leading up to the weekend - 8 - Mark Martin has led eight races in the Nationwide Series at MIS, the most of any driver. During those eight races Martin has led 304 laps, which coincidentally is also the most of any driver. The veteran has captured two Nationwide Series wins here (8/93; 8/95) and in his nine starts has finished in the top five every time except in 1997 and 1998 when he finished 11th and sixth, respectively. Tickets are available for the 3M Performance 400 presented by Bondo NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race on Sunday, Aug. 17, along with the Saturday, Aug. 16 CARFAX 250 Nationwide Series race. Fans may purchase tickets by visiting MISpeedway.com, or by calling the MIS Ticket Hotline at 800.354.1010.(MIS PR)(8-7-2008)
- 9 days to Cup weekend at MIS: Only 9 days remain until the 3M Performance 400 presented Bondo race weekend at Michigan International Speedway. The daily countdown leading up to the weekend - 9 - Kasey Kahne, driver of the #9 car for Gillett Evernham Motorsports, could be the favorite to win the 3M Performance 400 presented by Bondo. After finishing second in June, Kahne now has five top-five finishes to his credit in Sprint Cup races at MIS which include a victory in the 3M Performance 400 in June of 2006. Tickets are available for the 3M Performance 400 presented by Bondo NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race on Sunday, Aug. 17, along with the
Saturday, Aug. 16 CARFAX 250 NASCAR Nationwide Series race. Fans may purchase tickets by visiting MISpeedway.com, or by calling the MIS Ticket Hotline at 800.354.1010.(MIS PR)(8-6-2008)
- MIS initiates recycling programs with support from Coke: With two Sprint Cup Series race weekends and multiple capital improvement projects that occur each year, Michigan International Speedway is stepping up its efforts to recycle materials it produces.
The first step of the speedway's new year-round recycling program actually began during the Sprint Cup Series LifeLock 400 weekend in June. With the support of the Coca-Cola Co., MIS placed recycling bins throughout the speedway's 1,400 acre property, which allowed fans and workers to discard cans and plastic bottles during the weekend. It was an immediate success following Sunday's big race. Recycling efforts don't stop at just cans and bottles at MIS. The Irish Hills track has also recycled construction materials following capital improvement projects. To date, MIS has recycled over 765 tons of construction material and is reusing steel from Nazareth Speedway and Pikes Peak International Raceway to build new and improved grandstand seating. Additionally, MIS started an office recycling program in June with the idea of recycling paper, newspapers, cardboard and plastics that the speedway offices produce Monday-Friday. These various recycling programs are all voluntary and are part of the overall conservation efforts the speedway announced in mid-July. MIS has also voluntarily enrolled in the Michigan Business Pollution Prevention Partnership (MBP3) and Retired Engineers Technical Assistance Program (RETAP) through the State of Michigan's Department of Environmental Quality, while also participating in wetland conservation and looking at wind and solar power alternatives. With all these initiatives moving forward, the Conservation Fund, a national non-profit organization based just outside of Washington D.C., has asked MIS President Roger Curtis to speak at its board of director's meeting, scheduled for Thursday, July 24 in Washington D.C.(MIS PR)(7-25-2008)
- 3M Donates Tickets to Michigan Race for Blood Donors: The 3M Performance 400 Presented by Bondo at Michigan International Speedway is known for exciting racing action that gets fans' hearts pumping. And this year, the American Red Cross and 3M want to encourage fans to keep those hearts pumping with a blood drive throughout the State of Michigan. Now through August 7, every person who donates at an American Red Cross blood drive in Michigan's Great Lakes Blood Services Region will be entered to win tickets to the 3M Performance 400 Presented by Bondo, set to take place on August 17, 2008. Go to redcrossing.com to learn more about Red Cross Racing and to schedule a blood donation appointment. 3M, a proud supporter of the American Red Cross, is donating 300 tickets to the Great Lakes Blood Services Region to help promote participation in the life-saving collection effort. Red Cross Racing also will have an exhibit at the 3M Car Care Auto Fair held on the Michigan International Speedway grounds during the race weekend. (3M PR)(7-19-2008)
- Attendance down at MIS: Everyone knew there would be some empty seats at Michigan International Speedway on Sunday. No one knew exactly how many there would be. There were a lot. Crowd numbers are not released by speedway officials, but media estimates put the crowd at about 125,000 -- 35,000 under what is considered to be a capacity crowd at the track.Speedway. Seating capacity is 132,000, but that doesn't count the infield fans, competitors, crew members, officials and volunteers that contribute on race day. The main grandstand on the front stretch was full Sunday, but the smaller grandstands between Turns 1 and 2 had thousands of empty spots. The grandstands between Turns 3 and 4 were only partially filled. The smaller crowd is likely the effect of a poor Michigan economy and high gas prices. MIS president Roger Curtis was happy with the turnout. "I was very pleased with the attendance," Curtis said. "The fans' enthusiasm was tremendous." Curtis said he expects the attendance to be higher when the series returns in August for the 3M Performance 400.(Michigan Live), the unofficial results from NASCAR had the attendence at 115,000.(6-16-2008)
- MIS making improvements to current outbound traffic pattern following LifeLock 400: After making huge strides to improve traffic following the June 2007 Sprint Cup Series race at Michigan International Speedway, the Irish Hills track is making a few improvements to the current outbound pattern, which will continue to help fans exit the facility in a timely manner. The following changes will occur to the already existing outbound traffic pattern following the LifeLock 400 Sprint Cup Series race on Sunday, June 15.
1. M-50 south from US-12 will be one-way to Onsted Highway.
2. Traffic at Vicary Road and US-127 will only be allowed to go North on US-127. (No left turn).
3. A 12' paved shoulder on US-127 north from Vicary Road to M-50 has been finished and will be used for post-race traffic on June 15.
Additionally, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) will suspend work and reopen lanes on several major state highways, including US-127, north of Jackson, and US-12 near Jonesville, for the LifeLock 400 on June 15.
Overall, work on state roads in counties surrounding MIS, which is located in Jackson County, will be suspended starting Thursday, June 12, at 7 a.m., until Tuesday, June 17, at 7 a.m.
To assist motorists and race fans, MDOT is posting MIS race day travel information on the web, including maps and information about statewide construction projects, changes to the outbound traffic pattern, and links to the web site of WRIF (101.1 FM), the number one source of traffic at MIS. Motorists can find information online at: www.michigan.gov/mdot or www.michigan.gov/drive.(MIS PR)(6-13-2008)
- Jack Roush to perform flyover in P-51 for MIS Truck Race: Anyone who knows longtime team owner and Livonia, Mich., resident Jack Roush will tell you that he has two loves, NASCAR racing and aviation. Roush will get the best of both worlds on Saturday during pre-race activities for the Craftsman Truck Series Cool City Customs 200 at Michigan International Speedway. Roush, who is an avid pilot, will perform the flyover in his P-51 plane for the Cool City Customs 200. He will be accompanied by some of his
friends piloting T-6 aircrafts. It is the first time Roush has performed a flyover for a NASCAR race. "This will be a great honor for me to celebrate the military and to remember all the veterans and flyover at the conclusion of the National Anthem, in my hometown, as it were," Roush said. "It's going to be fun to do that. And, I've got to make some phone calls; rather than do a one-ship, it would be my intention if I can organize it to do a four-ship, so I've got to see if I can scare up three friends with T-6's in the area who are the trainers to flyover with my P-51." After the flyover, Roush will helicopter back from Willow Run Airport in Ypsilanti, Mich., and be back at the Irish Hills track for the race, which will feature three of his drivers, #99-Erik Darnell, #6-Colin Braun and #09-Bobby East. "It's always been something that I've been interested in. As a youngster I built balsawood model airplanes, first with rubber bands for power and then later with little nitro-burning engines for power," he said. "I designed my own airplanes and built them from kits just as I grew into being an adolescent, I was very active in pursuing that interest. And then of course, in the '80s when I was road racing real hard, I had a chance - or excuse or the reason - to have a corporate airplane to fly around, as I do today, and then that really got me started with personal aviation as far as being a pilot." Among one of the most famous fighters of World War II, the P-51 has its roots in both Britain and the USA. The P-51 would be unmatched by any other piston aircraft of World War II. Tickets for the Cool City Customs 200 are available by calling the MIS Ticket Hotline at 800-354-1010 or visit MISpeedway.com. Children 12 and under are admitted free.(MIS PR)(6-11-2008)
- TBS's Engvall to be Grand Marshal at MIS: Actor comedian Bill Engvall will serve as grand marshal for the Sprint Cup Series LifeLock 400 on Sunday, June 15 at Michigan International Speedway. Engvall, star of TBS's "The Bill Engvall Show," which will have its second season premiere on Thursday, June 12 at 9/8c, will give the command to start engines for the Father's Day event. To celebrate the Army's 233rd birthday [June 14th], the U.S. Army Chorus A Capella Team will be making its second appearance at MIS during pre-race ceremonies for the LifeLock 400. The team will sing the "Star-Spangled Banner" and the Canadian national anthem prior to the LifeLock 400. In June 2007, the team performed at MIS for the Sprint Cup Series event and received much fanfare. Due to the overwhelming comments of support from the fans, the chorus was asked to come back and perform again for the LifeLock 400. One of the members of the Army Chorus' A Capella Team is a proud Michigan native. Army Sgt. First Class Cliff Ogea hails from Ishpeming,
in Michigan's beautiful Upper Peninsula. To order tickets, pit passes, camping or hospitality packages, call the MIS Ticket Hotline at 800-354-1010 or visit MISpeedway.com.(MIS PR)(6-9-2008)
- Sammy Kershaw to headline concert at MIS: Michigan International Speedway has partnered with its official beer sponsor and its Craftsman Truck Series race sponsor to host the Miller Lite Rock N' Racing Concert presented by Cool City Customs, featuring a post-race performance by country music sensation Sammy Kershaw on Saturday, June 14. The concert will take place after the Craftsman Truck Series Cool City Customs 200, which is slated to begin at 3 p.m. Local recording artist '3D' from Detroit will open for Kershaw. Fans that have purchased tickets to the Cool City Customs 200 can use their ticket stub for gate admission to the post-race concert and witness one of country music's greatest performers outside of Turns 1 and 2. Tickets for the Cool City Customs 200 are available for $40 each with children 12 and under admitted free. Tickets can be purchased by
visiting MISpeedway.com or calling 800-354-1010. Michigan International Speedway is preparing for its 40th season of
racing in 2008. Tickets for all the races are on sale now.(MIS PR)(6-5-2008)
- New Scoreboard at MIS: Fan polls and feedback with more than 11,000 race fans have shown that one of the most frequent requests for improvement at Michigan International Speedway is a new scoreboard. Track officials took this to heart and have built the newest, state-of-the-art leaderboard in the world. The incredible, $2.35 million scoreboard touches the sky at 110 feet tall and features the latest in LED lighting and graphics. Each of the three panels of the scoreboard are roughly two times the size of a
highway billboard and will change the way race fans watch a race at MIS, track President Roger Curtis said. The video panels of the new scoreboard total 3,500 square feet and are
capable of producing millions of colors. The new scoreboard will be able to feature an infinite number of race positions at a time - a far cry from the old scoreboard, which only showed the top-five positions. During the race, track officials will use the scoreboard to not only show the positions of the entire field, but will use a graphics library to complement what's on track and what's being viewed on the six Sprint Vision giant screens at the speedway. For example, while the race in under caution the scoreboard can be used to engage and entertain the crowd with track facts and fun, interactive games usually reserved for NFL, NBA and MLB events. A graphics library is being developed by Yesco, who is providing the technical elements of the scoreboard. The scoreboard was constructed by Don Bell Signs. To order tickets, pit passes, camping or hospitality packages, call the
MIS Ticket Hotline at 800-354-1010 or visit MISpeedway.com.(MIS PR)(6-3-2008)
- MIS Capital Improvement Projects Taking Shape: With less than two months to go before the start of the 40th season of racing at Michigan International Speedway construction crews are hard at work with various capital improvements projects on the speedway's 1,400-acre property. Michigan International Speedway is spending approximately $10 million to continue enhancing the track based on feedback from the fans that will help position the speedway for its next 40 years of racing. Here are updates on many projects currently under way at MIS:
* Many of the projects are beginning to take shape with the grandstand replacement project being the most noticeable. Old grandstands have been torn down in turn 1 and construction crews are currently replacing them with improved grandstand seating. The new grandstand has wider seats, seatbacks and more leg room. The project began last year and does not add seats, but merely replaces old ones.
* The new, state-of-the-art 110-foot, three-sided LED scoreboard is scheduled to be installed in the next few weeks. The concrete base for the scoreboard was poured in December.
* Slusarski Paving of Adrian, Mich., is in the finishing stages of grading land for the 300 new Graves Farm Campground sites. Cochran Electric Co. of Jackson, Mich., has already installed the electric hookups for those sites.
* The permanent shower/restroom facility in the Graves Farm Campground is currently under construction by O'Harrow Construction of Jackson, Mich.
* Installation of way-finding signage around the MIS property is also currently underway. Fritz Advertising of Spring Arbor, Mich. has already constructed many signs in the parking lots and campgrounds at MIS. The branded signage will help pedestrians, motorists and campers find their way in, out and around the 1,400-acre racetrack property.
To order tickets, pit passes, camping or hospitality packages, call the MIS Ticket Hotline at 800-354-1010 or visit MISpeedway.com.(MIS)(4-25-2008)
- MIS Launches Fan Advisory Board: Help wanted: Michigan International Speedway is looking for a few good race fans to volunteer for its new Fan Advisory Board with the primary goal being to support and fulfill the speedway's vision to create lasting memories for every person, every time. If MIS race fans are interested in volunteering for the board, visit MISpeedway.com and fill out the application. Starting in early May, MIS will be forming a Fan Advisory Board. Race fans will have the opportunity to provide important input into various MIS initiatives. Each fan advisory board member will provide feedback and suggestions on the current state and direction of MIS and the auto racing industry while playing a role in the decision-making processes that affect speedway guests. Fan input plays an important role at MIS and helps drive the integral part of the business. Applications for the Fan Advisory Board are available at MISpeedway.com and will be accepted until April 21. All applications must be postmarked
by that date to be considered. To order tickets, pit passes, camping or hospitality packages, call the MIS Ticket Hotline at 800-354-1010 or visit MISpeedway.com.(MIS PR)(4-2-2008)
- MIS partners with Lifelock for June Cup race: Michigan International Speedway has announced a partnership with LifeLock, the industry leader in identity theft prevention to present the LifeLock 400, Sprint Cup Series race at MIS on Sunday, June 15. The Father's Day race will kick off the track's 40th season of racing. LifeLock is partnering with MIS to shed light on the fastest growing crime in America, identity theft. The Federal Trade Commission recently reported that the number of reported cases of identity theft increased 16% from 2006 to 2007. Located in a secure facility in Tempe, Arizona, LifeLock enables "locks" by setting and automatically renewing fraud alerts with the major credit bureaus, removing member names from junk mail lists and guaranteeing the service with a $1 million service guarantee. Recently, LifeLock has added an additional service to all clients - free of charge - called WalletLock. WalletLock works to cancel and replace all documents and personal identifying information inside a wallet if it is lost or stolen. To purchase tickets to events at MIS, or for more information, log on to MISpeedway.com or call the MIS ticket hotline at 1-800-354-1010.(MIS PR)(3-18-2008)
- Old MIS Scoreboards to Benefit Short Track in Canada: With many facility enhancements occurring at Michigan International Speedway for the 2008 season, a Canadian short track is taking advantage of having a major NASCAR-sanctioned speedway in their region doing upgrades. Varney International Speedway, a ¼-mile paved oval located an hour from Toronto in southwestern Ontario, is purchasing the old MIS scoreboards that were located in Turns 1 and 4 and will use them at their facility for the 2008 season and beyond. The scoreboards, which were purchased at a nominal cost, will be a tremendous help to the popular short track in Canada. The scoreboards became available because MIS is installing a new, state-of-the-art, 130-foot, three-sided LED leaderboard. The scoreboard, higher than the scoring tower above the grandstands, will replace all three scoreboards at MIS, two in the turns and one in the center and will be visible from all grandstand seats, as well as several of the infield camping sites. Representatives from the recently renamed Varney International Speedway visited MIS in late February to assist in the process of taking down the old scoreboards in turns 1 and 4. The scoreboards will be loaded onto trucks and be assembled at Varney before the start of their race season in early May.
Besides the new scoreboard, other projects on tap for MIS in 2008 include:
* Some 300 new campsites sites with electric hookups will be added to the Graves Farm Campground, bringing the total number of campsites at MIS to nearly 9,000.
* A permanent restroom/shower building will be built in the Graves Farm Campground.
* Michigan International Speedway is moving forward with additional improved seating. Two additional grandstands in Turn One have been torn down and are currently being replaced with a grandstand that has wider seats, seatbacks and more leg room. The project began last year when one of the old "silver" grandstands was torn down and replaced with seats that are four inches wider than seats in the old grandstands. The project does not add seats, but merely replaces old seats.
To order tickets, camping, pit passes or hospitality packages, call the MIS Ticket Hotline at 800-354-1010 or visit MISpeedway.com.(MIS PR)(3-2-2008)
