This logo will be used to help market, promote and create awareness at events during the 2003 season.. Interestingly, the 35th anniversary of the track spans five decades of racing at MIS- the 60’s, 70’s, 80’s, 90’s and 00’s.. The past five decades have been by far the most influential in all of motorsports – both in terms of popularity and technology.. NASCAR has become a household term and ranks second only to the NFL in success, while open wheel race cars have sprouted wings and undergone space age transformation allowing them to race at speeds exceeding 225 mph. When the gates open on October 13, 1968 few could imagine that 35 years later some 136,373 permanent grandstand seats would line two-thirds of the track and tens of thousands would pack the infield wall to wall on race weekend – making race day at MIS the largest single day sporting event in the state of Michigan.. If one combined the attendance at a Lion’s NFL game, Piston’s NBA game, Red Wing’s NHL game and a Tiger’s baseball game – it still would not equal the number of fans at MIS for one single event. Tradition at MIS includes some of the all-time greatest names and races in motorsports history. Unser, Petty, Pearson, Foyt, Earnhardt, Allison, Donohue, Fittipaldi and McLaren have all topped ultra competitive fields to take the checkered flag first. Innovation in that MIS was the nation’s first 2-mile oval with an unobstructed view of the entire track, the first race track to offer guest services to the fans attending the weekends events, the first with hospitality trams to shuttle guests from their cars to the gate and one of the first to have 3-D views of seating to compliment ticket sales on the internet.. Additionally, music concerts, classic cars shows, camping, amusement rides and family entertainment add to the overall atmosphere of a race weekend at MIS. In 2003, children under the age of 12 will be admitted free to every race at MIS except the Sunday NASCAR events, furthering the fan friendly atmosphere at the track while building a fan base that will one day hopefully bring their children to MIS. Parents who came to events at MIS as children now bring their children, continuing the family tradition at MIS passed from generation to generation.
The official website of MIS –
www.MISpeedway.com will feature weekly historical trivia beginning in January 2003 as well as the MIS Fan of the Month chosen by fans logging onto the site. Fans can nominate themselves or pick a friend as MIS Fan of the Month. The Fan of the Month will receive a prize package from the track and become eligible to win the ultimate honor of “MIS Fan of the Year.” Tickets to all MIS races can also be purchased on the website.(
Michigan International Speedway PR)(1-3-2003)
MIS Fan of the Month: Scott Mowery remembers it like it was yesterday, while camping in the Michigan International Speedway infield during the early 80’s, he encountered a gentleman pulling a car one evening during a race weekend. The man pulling the car happened to be ARCA RE/MAX driver Mike Buckley. Mowery and Buckley ended up talking to him for quite some time, got to know one another, and now Mowery serves on the pit crew for the #28 Chevrolet owned by Buckley. That moment was one of many great times at MIS for Mowery of Lyons, Ohio, who now after 15 years and 30 plus NASCAR events at MIS later, has been selected as the December 2002 MIS Fan of the Month. By winning the MIS Fan of the Month contest Mowery will receive a MIS hat, shirt, and soft-sided cooler. Mowery, along with every monthly winner, will be eligible to become MIS’s ultimate fan, the 2003 Michigan International Speedway Fan of the Year. Since the start of the MIS Fan of the Month contest less than a month ago, over 300 fans have registered for the contest at MIS’s official website. To nominate yourself or someone else for the MIS Fan of the Month, log on to www.MISpeedway.com.(MIS PR)(12-20-2002)
MIS Staff Stuff: Bill Janitz, a part of the Michigan International Speedway Public Relations team since 2001, has been named Public Relations and News Manager, MIS Director of Public Relations Steve Shunck announced today. Janitz’s new title, Public Relations and News Manager will be reflective of his expanded role with the MIS Public Relations department. In addition to his other duties, Janitz will now be responsible for all written material produced by the department, including press releases, MIS’s official website, as well as strengthening relationships with the print media. Completing the MIS Public Relations Staff is the addition of Cheryl Dorian as Public Relations Assistant. Dorian rejoins the staff after a brief stint away from MIS. Dorian brings over 5 years of experience working the media and the community.(MIS PR)(12-4-2002)
MIS Salutes the fan: Michigan International Speedway would like to salute race fans for all their dedication to drivers, manufacturers, and their favorite race track, Michigan International Speedway, by creating the Michigan International Speedway Fan of the Month on it’s official website, www.MISpeedway.com. If you know someone that has this kind of dedication, nominate them to be the MIS Fan of the Month. Log on to www.MISpeedway.com and vote for a family member, friend, or even yourself as MIS’s Fan of the Month. We want to know your favorite driver, your favorite MIS moment, or your most memorable race. The MIS Fan of the Month will receive a special MIS gift pack, which consists of a MIS hat, shirt, and soft-sided cooler. Every monthly winner will be eligible to become MIS’s ultimate fan, the 2003 Michigan International Speedway Fan of the Year. To nominate yourself or someone else for MIS Fan of the Month, log on to www.MISpeedway.com. Fans will also be asked to submit a photo of the nominee as well as their most memorable moment photo taken at MIS. Please send photos to misfanofthemonth@MISpeedway.com.(Michigan International Speedway PR)(11-23-2002)
MIS Personnel Changes: Kimberly Cole, a recent graduate of the University of Miami (FL) has been named Manager of Community Relations for Michigan International Speedway, President Brett Shelton announced today. In this newly created position, Cole will work with community organizations along with state and local governments to further establish ties between MIS and the community that surrounds. MIS and Americrown gives over half a million dollars annually to local charities and organizations and employed approximately 150 groups last season in such areas as concessions, catering, souvenir, parking, clean up, security and guest services. Cole, a Saline, MI native, holds a bachelor’s degree in Communications as well as a bachelor’s in economics from the University of Miami (FL).
AND Steve Shunck, whose experience includes CART, NASCAR, and ABC Sports has been named Director of Public Relations for Michigan International Speedway, MIS President Brett Shelton announced today. Shunck, a Whitehouse, Ohio native will oversee media and public relations for the state’s largest sporting facility and brings over a decade of experience in the motorsports and broadcast industry. Shunck, who holds a bachelor’s degree in Sports Studies Management from Bowling Green State University in Ohio, was most recently Director of Broadcast Public Relations for Championship Auto Racing Teams where he was responsible for assisting all electronic media and served as a network liaison for CART with their broadcast partners. Shunck was also the Senior Manager, Broadcast Communications for NASCAR where he served as the primary liaison with local and national television stations for footage, interviews and highlights. He also served as the Assistant to the Producer for ABC sports from 1989-1995.(MIS PRs)(11-7-2002)
MIS taking deposits: Michigan International Speedway will be taking deposits for both NASCAR Winston Cup races for the first time in its 34-year history. While MIS goes through the renewal process, fans that haven’t been able to purchase seats in the past may now have a chance to be part of the action by calling the MIS ticket office at 1-800-354-1010 and putting down a deposit for tickets and camping. MIS, which has sold out both NASCAR Winston Cup events every year since 1992, has never offered such an opportunity, according to John Moreland, Director of Ticketing at the MIS. “We have many loyal fans that have been coming to MIS for a long time that renew year in and year out, we are thankful for that, but for the seats that are not renewed, this is the perfect opportunity for someone to get in the door.” NASCAR’s top series visits the two-mile oval once again June 13-15 on Father’s Day weekend and then returns August 15-17 with the NASCAR Busch Series. Deposits can be made by calling the MIS ticket office, with a maximum of 10 tickets and 1 campsite per race, per customer. Deposits can be redeemed from January 21, 2003 through January 31, 2003 before tickets go on sale to the general public on February 10, 2003.(MIS PR)(9-1-2002)
Little Big Town to sing National Anthem at MIS: Karen Fairchild, Kimberly Roads, Phillip Sweet and Jimi Westbrook make up the four-member country group known as Little Big Town and this band will sing the National Anthem prior to Sunday's Pepsi 400 Presented by Farmer Jack NASCAR Winston Cup Series event at Michigan International Speedway. The quartet performed the National Anthem at The White House in June for President Bush's tee-ball game on the South Lawn. They were also named the top-selling artist for Fan Fair 2002, outselling the #2 artist by a wide margin. The anthem for Saturday's Cabela's 250 NASCAR Busch Series event will
be performed by Erin Michelle Moss, Miss Michigan 2002.(Michigan International Speedway PR)(8-15-2002)
Marriage at MIS: Greg Kowalski and Tara Macciomei will be married on August 18 at noon in the church tent in the infield at Michigan International Speedway. Pastor Schultz of Brooklyn will be performing the ceremony.(8-13-2002)
MIS to open more gates and make them wider: Michigan International Speedway officials were pleased with the overall operation of the new security procedures for the first event of the season and already are planning improvements for the next event in July [August for Cup]. MIS, after hiring additional security personnel to inspect items entering the grandstand ticket gates prior to the NASCAR Winston Cup Series event weekend June 14-16, will continue to monitor staffing for the next two race weekends in July and August. As a direct result of monitoring the June race, MIS also plans to add more gates and widen existing gates to ensure a smoother flow for guests entering the facility gates. MIS hosted a media-estimated 165,000 fans during the Sirius Satellite Radio 400 NASCAR Winston Cup Series race on Sunday and more than 250,000 for the event weekend. The weekend’s races marked the first major event at MIS since the implementation of the security policy, an International Speedway Corporation-wide response to the Sept. 11 attacks. MIS notified guests of the policy by sending literature to guests, including printing it on the backs of tickets and in the Guest Guide that is included with all ticket orders, as well as posting the policy on the Speedway’s official Web site and notifying the media.(Michigan International Speedway PR)(6-26-2002)
New Policy at MIS: Due to a recent decision by the State of Michigan Liquor Control Commission, Michigan International Speedway's alcohol concession policy has changed for this summer's three weekends of racing, June 14-16, July 26-28, August 16-18. Michigan Liquor Law R 436.1033 prohibits the Speedway from allowing guests to pass through its grandstand ticket gates with their own alcohol, while at the same time, selling alcohol at concessions stands. Simply put, fans can bring in alcoholic beverages, or the facility can sell them, but not both. To comply with the Liquor Commission's recent interpretation of this law and considering what is in the best interest of its guests, MIS has made the decision to allow its guests to continue to bring their own alcoholic beverages through its grandstand ticket gates. Consequently, for 2002, MIS vendors will no longer be able to sell alcoholic beverages at any of the facility's concession stands. "MIS has always tried to attain the highest levels of customer satisfaction.. Given the Commission's recent decision, we felt it was important that MIS continue to be the leader among major sports arenas in Michigan by allowing fans to bring in their own beverages," said Brett Shelton, MIS president. 'It is a tradition that we did not want to see interrupted."(MIS PR)(6-2-2002)
Michigan Tix and Contest: One lucky race fan and 29 of his or her closest friends will win a luxury suite for Michigan International Speedway's July event weekend as part of a special promotion to unveil MIS' new online ticketing system. The new MIS ticketing software, available on www.MISpeedway.com will help fans select their exact seats from currently available seating for the Speedway's 2002 events, including seats for the two NASCAR Winston Cup Series races and the IRL event weekend. Web site visitors should access www.MISpeedway.com to complete an entry form and may do so each day up until Saturday, June 15. Daily winners will be selected during the next 40 days. The 40 winners selected between May 8 and June 16 will be entered into a drawing for the grand prize a 30-person luxury hospitality suite to enjoy Saturday's Michigan 200 CTS race and Sunday's Michigan Indy 400 IRL race. Each of the 40 finalists also will receive an official IRL hat. Daily winners' names will be posted on the Web site, and the grand prize winner's name will be announced during pre-race ceremonies for the Sirius Satellite Radio 400 on Father's Day, Sunday, June 16. Race fans can now access MIS via the Internet 24 hours a day conveniently from the comfort of their own home or work computer. Through the new system, fans can secure free seats for their children 12 and under to all Friday and Saturday events in 2002 as well as the inaugural IRL race. Fans also can do "one-stop shopping" by purchasing tickets and merchandise in the same session.(MIS PR)(5-10-2002)
Michigan and soft walls: Officials at Michigan International Speedway, along with many in the rest of the racing world, will be keeping a keen eye to the doings at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, looking at a new "soft wall" being installed at Indianapolis. The wall, called the SAFER (Steel and Foam Energy Reduction) barrier, is designed to take the brunt of any collision and protect drivers. The installation of the new wall, which will encompass 4,240 feet in the turns at Indianapolis, was announced Wednesday in Indianapolis by Indianapolis Motor Speedway personnel and respresentatives of NASCAR, including its president Mike Helton. The new system is actually the third soft-wall system that the Indianapolis track has tried. The first version of the PEDS (Polyethylene Energy Dissipating System) was installed inside turn four for the 1998 Indianapolis 500. An improved version was installed in 1999. "We're monitoring the situation," said Tommy Cameron, director of public relations at MIS. "I know that NASCAR and ISC have people in Indianapolis. Anytime it comes to safety, we're going to be interested in taking a look. I know that ISC has a whole construction division that is keeping an eye on this." International Speedway Corp. (ISC) is the parent company for MIS. It is possible that if the SAFER barrier system grades out as a success at Indianapolis, the system could come to MIS this year. According to the Indy Racing League, the wall in one turn at the 2.5-mile Indianapols Motor Speedway can be fitted with the energy-absorbing barrier system in two days.(Jackson Citizen Patriot)(5-5-2002)
Sirius and ISC, sponsor two Cup races: Sirius Satellite Radio (sponsor of the #7 Dodge driven by Casey Atwood) the satellite radio broadcaster, has joined forces with 12 International Speedway Corporation (ISC) facilities/tracks, to create a multi-faceted marketing partnership that will promote the Sirius brand to millions of race fans across the country and drive subscriber activations for Sirius' 100 channel in-vehicle entertainment service. The announcement was made atTalladega Superspeedway in Talladega. As part of its multi-year agreement with ISC's wholly-owned facilities, Sirius will reach NASCAR fans on a number of different levels, including direct-to-consumer promotions, at-track activation at ISC venues, and co-marketing opportunities with local retail partners, all designed to drive new subscribers for Sirius' entertainment service. Also, Sirius will have the right to leverage official track and event logos in-market to grow its subscriber base, and create enticing consumer promotions at retail. Sirius' comprehensive partnership also includes title sponsorship of two NASCAR Winston Cup Series events - the Sirius Satellite Radio 400 at Michigan International Speedway's June event and the Sirius Satellite Radio at The Glen at Watkins Glen International's August event. The agreement also includes Official Satellite Radio Partner/Sponsor status and on-site display space rights at the Michigan International Speedway, Watkins Glen International and other ISC motorsports facilities, including Daytona International Speedway, California Speedway, Kansas Speedway, Richmond International Raceway, Watkins Glen International, and Homestead-Miami Speedway. Through the ISC relationship, each ISC property will host Sirius information booths that will drive subscriptions as well as provide information about Sirius and the No. 7 Sirius Team. Each of these venues also will host the Sirius "Rhythm of the Road" mobile tour which draws 35,000 to 50,000 fans each weekend and allows them to experience Sirius' service live.(Golin Harris PR)(4-19-2002)
MIS Announcement: Michigan International Speedway is also planning an announcement for Tuesday, April 23. The announcement will take place at the Red Cross location in Kalamazoo at 11:00am and at the Red Cross location in Lansing at 3:00pm.(MIS PR)(4-18-2002)
Michigan BGN Sponsor: Cabela's, the "World's Foremost Outfitter" for nearly 40 years, will be the title sponsor of the BGN race Saturday, August 17, at Michigan International Speedway, officials from both companies announced today. The Cabela's 250 is scheduled for 125 laps at the historic MIS' 2-mile superspeedway as part of a weekend doubleheader of NASCAR action. The Pepsi 400 presented by Farmer Jack NASCAR Winston Cup Series race takes place Sunday, August 18. All seating for the Cabela's 250 will be sold on a reserved basis with children 12 and under admitted free. Cabela's also features outlets in Nebraska, Wisconsin, Minnesota and
South Dakota and has plans to construct a 150,000-square foot complex in Kansas City near Kansas Speedway, which is owned by MIS' parent company International Speedway Corporation.(MIS PR)(4-17-2002)
MIS Dates Announced: The IRL will make its first trip to Michigan International Speedway and the CTS race will return to the historic two-mile oval in 2002, MIS officials announced today. Other changes for 2002 include the June event weekend moving one week later in the month, back to its traditional date on Father's Day weekend. The July race weekend, which includes the IRL and NCTS races, also is scheduled for one week later than previous open-wheel events. The inaugural IRL event at MIS will take place on Sunday, July 28, with the CTS returning on Saturday, July 27. The CTS competed at MIS in 1999 and 2000. The NASCAR Winston Cup Series makes its traditional two visits to MIS for the 29th consecutive season. The first Cup race is scheduled for Sunday, June 16, with the ARCA RE/MAX Series holding its 19th race at MIS on Saturday, June 15. The BGN joins the Winston Cup race for the traditional combo weekend on August 17-18. In conjunction with the July race weekend, RaceWeek will return to Jackson, Mich., after a successful start in 2001. Planned RaceWeek festivities for 2002 include a downtown street party, hot air balloon festival, celebration breakfast, a 5-kilometer run/walk at the Speedway, a formal ball, a skateboard competition and pinewood derby races(MIS PR)(9-7-2001)
MIS News: Keith Karbo has assumed the post of director of marketing for Michigan International Speedway where he will oversee the marketing, advertising and corporate sales programs. Karbo comes to MIS from DP Fox Sports & Entertainment in Grand Rapids. Karbo, an Ann Arbor resident and University of Michigan business administration graduate, has handled sales and marketing programs for the West Michigan Grand Prix Association and also for the Grand Rapids Arena Football franchise and Van Andel Arena.(SpeedVision)(5-29-2001)
MIS Changes UPDATE: Gene Haskett who has served as the president of the Michigan International Speedway since 1986, will relinquish that post, effective Jan 5th, to take advantage of an unspecified opportunity elsewhere in the racing world. Haskett’s immediate plans and his successor are expected to be revealed in the near future(SpeedVision)(12-12-2000)
UPDATE: Brett Shelton, who recently served as vice president and general manager of Talladega Superspeedway, has been named president of Michigan International Speedway (MIS). Jim France, president of International Speedway Corporation (ISC), which controls the track, made the announcement today. Shelton replaces Gene Haskett, who resigned his position earlier this week to pursue other interests. As president of MIS, Shelton will be responsible for overseeing all strategic and daily operations at the track(MIS PR)(12-14-2000)
MIS and Seats: see story at Michigan Live: Speedway's 5-year plan includes more seating by Jim Knight(8-23-2000)
Michigan Speedway to become MIS again: Michigan Speedway, so named in 1997, will return to its original designation, Michigan International Speedway, after this weekend's Pepsi 400. The track was constructed in 1968 and was called Michigan International Speedway. The facility kept that name when Roger Penske acquired it from bankruptcy in 1973, but the name was changed to Michigan Speedway in 1997 to bring its title into line with other Penske Motorsports Inc. speedways(SpeedVision)(8-19-2000)
Rain at Michigan: Only three previous times has rain affected a Winston Cup race at Michigan. The inaugural Yankee 600 in August 1969 was stopped after 165 miles with David Pearson declared the winner. In August 1977, the Champion 400 was forced to Monday by rain. And the June 1982 stop was interrupted more than three hours before Cale Yarborough edged Darrell Waltrip for the win(Detroit Free Press)(6-12-2000)
Michigan News: Michigan Speedway will increase it's capacity by more than 10,000 seats this year. That addition brings the speedway's capacity to 136,000, solidifying its position as the largest sporting facility in the state. The speedway will also revert to its traditional name -- Michigan International Speedway -- beginning with a formal announcement and unveiling of a new logo in August(Detroit News)(3-2-2000)
Michigan: Kmart will be the title sponsor of the Michigan Cup race on June 13th. It'll be know as the Kmart 400 presented by Castrol Super Clean(NOL)(4-30-1999)
Michigan Improvements: Michigan Speedway has begun work on a $12 million construction project to add approximately 13,000 additional seats to the two-mile superspeedway's seating capacity. When completed, capacity at
the track, located in the beautiful Irish Hills of Michigan will be over 150,000-including the infield.(GoRacing)(4-7-1999)
Michigan Lawsuit: A judge has ruled that the estate of one of three fans killed while watching a race at the Michigan Speedway cannot seek punitive damages in a wrongful-death lawsuit. See the AP story at CNN/SI Judge dismisses punitive damages in Michigan Speedway death(12-7-98)
AP Story: The estate of one of three fans killed at Michigan Speedway during a race(CART) has filed an $11 million wrongful-death lawsuit against the track. See the story at SpeedNet: Family of fan killed at Michigan sues.(9-11-98)
In the aftermath of three spectator deaths at Michigan Speedway a week ago, track officials said they are taking a "pro-active" approach and will enhance safety measures for fans. It is expected that at least four feet of protective fencing will be added to the 15-foot concrete-and-fence barrier in front of all spectator seating at the two-mile oval in Brooklyn, Mich. Engineers have been consulting with speedway officials and the new fencing will be in place before the NASCAR Winston Cup race in less than two weeks.(Speedworld), 1 1/4 miles of fencing and 5 miles of cable are being added.(WC Today Radio)(8-3-98)
UPDATE III: Folks, don't panic over this rumor from the JournalNow yet(I have gotten a batch of email on this): The fate of NASCAR's Aug. 16 Winston Cup race at Michigan International Speedway is in some question now, after last weekend's wheel-in-the-grandstands tragedy. NASCAR teams that had been planning to test at Michigan have been told to cancel those plans because the track is closed for inspection.(JournalNow - Mike Mulhern)- Somehow I think NASCAR will jump on this story and clear it up immediately.(7-31-98) - A reader phoned MIS and was told the race will go on as planned and testing has been cancelled and....GoRacing has a story up: Michigan Speedway Cancels Winston Cup TEST Session - Race To Go On as Scheduled by Mike Snow. See, it didn't take long to clear that up.(7-31-98) - And: Bill France, the president of NASCAR, has issued the following statement in response to media reports and inquiries regarding the Aug. 16 NASCAR Winston Cup Series event at Michigan Speedway. "We are committed to running the upcoming NASCAR Winston Cup Series Pepsi 400 Presented by DeVilbiss at the Michigan Speedway on Aug. 16. The entire event weekend will go forward as originally planned. We look forward to returning to Michigan for another weekend of NASCAR Winston Cup Series action.(GoRacing/NASCAR Online)(7-31-98) - The JournalNow has a followup on the Michigan race in a story called: Earnhardt Jr. wins 5th Busch race of rookie season but Mike Mulhern, a few other notes also. By the way, it is not Earnhardt Jr's rookie season, he ran 8 races in 1997, so he is not a rookie in BGN.(8-1-98)
Michigan Speedway has made several improvements to its track since last season.
Among them: four Jumbotron giant TV screens have been placed between Turns 1 and 2; a new grandstand with 5,000 additional seats has been placed in Turn 3; a 20-foot wide pedestrian bridge has been built across Brooklyn Highway in front of the tunnel entrance to the track; the 10 skylounge suites and the press box have been refurbished; and the speedway's entrances have been redesigned.(That's Racin')(6-10-98)
Michigan Speedway is pouring $5 million into capital improvements for the coming season. Five thousand seats have been added, taking the total to more than 108,000(Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)(2-24-98)
Pepsi announced that it will be the title sponsor of the August race at Michigan, and will be known as the Pepsi 400 Presented by DeVilbiss, and also will be title sponsor of the Pepsi 200 NASCAR Busch Series race the day before.(Speedworld), Pepsi will still sponsor the July 4th race at Daytona in July(1-16-98)
Seems MIS got their problem all straightened out....have to leave 12 acres alone - the rest will become parking. They are putting in 5,000 more seats at turn 3. They have been hauling in dirt since Jan to fill in the big drop there. They will be done just in time for June....also bought some of the trams used in the Olympics to haul the people in...they hold 70 in a tram(3-1-97)
Trouble at MIS: They were tearing down woods and planning on adding parking and seats to the back side in turn three ....well it turned out after they
removed a lot of woods that Penske didn't own 12' of them. The surveyors supposedly made the mistake. The person who owns the 12'? Well, instead of selling the land (and we know it would have been very profitable to him) he called the DNR and turned MIS in for destroying a wetland. The track, the surveyors, and Roger Penske are now being fined big bucks for destroying a REGISTERED wetland and had to stop all construction within 100' of the border. So now Penske has a wet area with no woods.(2-25-97)
