Michigan International Speedway

Michigan International Speedway
Track Diagram
Michigan International Speedway
12626 US 12
Brooklyn, MI 49230

The track is nestled on more than 1,400-plus acres in the Irish Hills of southeastern Michigan. Groundbreaking took place on September 28, 1967. Over 2.5 million yards of dirt were moved to form the D-shaped oval designed by Charles Moneypenny, who previously designed the 2.5-mile Daytona International Speedway.
 

Cale Yarborough won the first NASCAR race at the speedway on June 15, 1969, in a thrilling duel with LeeRoy Yarbrough. The two drivers battled door-to-door for most of the final 150 laps. On their final circuit, they touched twice-entering turn one, with Yarbrough brushing the outside wall. They then drafted down the back straight, and through turn three. But while coming out of the final turn, LeeRoy Yarbrough spun and crashed just 300 yards from the finish line, handing the victory to Yarborough.
 

Since then, MIS has hosted a number of historic races and many legendary drivers. Richard Petty, Mark Donohue, A.J. Foyt, Mario Andretti, Parnelli Jones, Gordon Johncock, Emerson Fittipaldi, Al Unser, Bobby Allison, Buddy Baker, Neil Bonnett, David Pearson, Davey Allison, Rick Mears, Dale Earnhardt, Buddy Rice, Alex Zanardi and Jeff Gordon all have celebrated wins in Victory Circle at Michigan International Speedway.
 

In 1973 - when the oil crisis and rising gas prices threatened all of racing - Roger Penske envisioned turning MIS into a premier motorsports facility. After purchasing the deed to Michigan International Speedway off the Lenawee County courthouse steps for an estimated $2 million, Penske went right to work to improve the speedway to his standards. He invested millions of dollars on one capital improvement project after another with a goal of making Michigan International Speedway one of the best superspeedways in the world.
 

During Penske's ownership, the grandstands were expanded from 25,000 to over 125,000 seats, and numerous buildings were added to the property, including three garages, 28 pit terrace suites, an administration building, two ticket offices, a maintenance building, a warehouse, a sign shop, an entertainment shop, a Competition Tire building, and a Motorsports International building.
 

For over 25 years, Penske invested in Michigan International Speedway, long after the track's reputation was everything - and more - than he imagined it could be. In 1997, Penske took his speedways and racing-related businesses public, forming Penske Motorsports, Inc. That same year the company built California Speedway and purchased 45 percent of Homestead-Miami Speedway. In 1998 it added North Carolina Speedway to its portfolio.
 

In July of 1999, Penske Motorsports, Inc. was purchased by the country's leader of motorsports entertainment - International Speedway Corp. ISC was founded by another visionary - Bill France - who built the world-famous Daytona International Speedway and founded NASCAR, the country's most popular racing series. ISC now owns 12 different motorsports venues, including former Penske speedways plus Daytona International Speedway, Talladega Superspeedway, Darlington Speedway, Homestead-Miami Speedway, Richmond International Raceway, Watkins Glen, Phoenix International Raceway, Martinsville Speedway, Kansas Speedway and Chicagoland Speedway.
 

Today, Michigan International Speedway is considered one of the country's premier racing facilities, and yet, it still focuses on constant improvements. In 2000, a new 10,800-plus-seat grandstand was built in turn three, standing 10-stories high and providing a magnificent view of the entire Speedway and surrounding Irish Hills.In 2004-2005 the largest renovation project in the history of the facility was ready for race fans when it opened its doors for the Batman Begins 400 race weekend. The AAA Motorsports Fan Plaza - a reconfiguration of over 26 acres behind the main grandstand - provided race fans a new an improved area to relax, enjoy sponsor displays, MIS merchandise, and concessions during breaks of on-track activity. A new, three-story viewing tower housing the Champions Club presented by AAA and 16 new corporate suites also awaited VIP Guests, while a state-of-the-art press box and an expansive race operations facility high above the 2-mile oval welcomed the media and race officials.

 

MIS is expected to host over half a million fans during its three race weekends in 2007. The crowds will join live television and radio audiences for seven races featuring the country's top auto racing series: NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series, NASCAR Busch Series, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, IRL IndyCar Series and the ARCA RE/MAX Series.