This article needs additional citations for
verification. (June 2009) |
Location | 12626
US Highway 12 Brooklyn, Michigan, 49230 |
---|---|
Time zone | UTC−5 / −4 ( DST) |
Coordinates | 42°03′59″N 84°14′29″W / 42.06639°N 84.24139°W |
Capacity | 56,000–137,243 (max.) depending on stand configurations [1] |
Owner |
NASCAR (2019–present) International Speedway Corporation (1999–2019) Penske Corporation (1972–1992) Lawrence H. LoPatin (1968–1971) |
Operator | NASCAR (2019–present) |
Broke ground | 28 September 1967 |
Opened | 13 October 1968 |
Construction cost | $4–6 million |
Architect | Charles Moneypenny |
Former names | Michigan Speedway (1997–2000) |
Major events | Current:
Former:
|
Website | https://www.mispeedway.com/ |
D-shaped oval (1968–present) | |
Length | 2.000 miles (3.219 km) |
Banking | Turns: 18° Start/Finish: 12° Backstretch: 5° |
Race lap record | 0:30.767 ( Adrián Fernández, Lola T96/00, 1996, CART) |
Infield Road Course (1968–present) | |
Length | 1.900 miles (3.058 km) |
Race lap record | 1:06.060 ( Bill Whittington, March 84G, 1984, IMSA GTP) |
Extended Road Course (1968–1994) | |
Length | 3.310 miles (5.327 km) |
Race lap record | 1:36.100 ( Denny Hulme, McLaren M8B, 1969, Can-Am) |
Michigan International Speedway (MIS) is a 2 mi (3.2 km) moderate-banked D-shaped speedway located in Cambridge Township, Michigan, approximately four miles (6.4 km) south of the village of Brooklyn. Situated on more than 1,400 acres (5.7 km2) [2] in the scenic Irish Hills area of southeastern Michigan, the track is 70 miles (110 km) west of the center of Detroit, 40 miles (64 km) from Ann Arbor, and 60 miles (97 km) south and northwest of Lansing, Michigan and Toledo, Ohio, respectively. MIS is used primarily for NASCAR events. It is sometimes known as a sister track to Texas World Speedway, and was used as the basis of Auto Club Speedway. The track is owned by NASCAR. Michigan International Speedway is recognized as one of motorsports' premier facilities because of its wide racing surface and high banking (by open-wheel standards; the 18-degree banking is modest by stock car standards).
Groundbreaking took place on September 28, 1967. Over 2.5 million cubic yards (1,900,000 m3) of dirt were moved to form the D-shaped oval. The track opened in 1968 with a total capacity of 25,000 seats. The track was originally built and owned by Lawrence H. LoPatin, a Detroit-area land developer who built the speedway at an estimated cost of $4–6 million. [3] LoPatin was President of American Raceways and had a controlling interest in Atlanta International Raceway, Trenton Speedway, Texas World Speedway and Riverside International Raceway until the company went bankrupt in 1971. Financing was arranged by Thomas W Itin. Its first race took place on Sunday, October 13, 1968, with the running of the USAC 250 mile Championship Car Race won by Ronnie Bucknum.
In 1972, Roger Penske purchased the speedway for an estimated $2 million. During Penske's ownership the track was upgraded several times from the original capacity to 125,000 seating capacity. From 1997 to 2000, the track was referred to as Michigan Speedway. This was to keep consistency with other tracks owned by Roger Penske's Motorsports International before its merger with ISC. [3]
In 1999, the speedway was purchased by International Speedway Corporation (ISC) and in 2000 the track was renamed to its original name of Michigan International Speedway. In 2000 10,800 seats were added via a turn 3 grandstand bringing the speedway to its current capacity. 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 race weekend. The AAA Motorsports Fan Plaza—a reconfiguration of over 26 acres (110,000 m2) behind the main grandstand. A new, three-story viewing tower housing the Champions Club presented by AAA and 16 new corporate suites targeted VIP guests, while a press box and a race operations facility high above the two-mile (3.2 km) oval welcomed the media and race officials. [3] Michigan was repaved prior to the 2012 season. This marks the first time since 1995 that the oval was resurfaced, along with 1967, 1975, and 1986. Also new for 2012 was the addition of a new 20-space trackside luxury campsite to be known as APEX. Situated in turn 3, each site will offer a 20-by-55-foot (6.1 by 16.8 m) area. To accommodate these new campsites, the remaining silver grandstands in turns 3 and 4 were removed. [4]
On January 28, 2019, it was revealed on ISC's 2018 annual report that the speedway's track seating was reduced from 71,000 to 56,000. [1]
May 11, 1969, the Michigan International Speedway hosted the Wolverine 4-Hour Trans-Am race, the opening round for the 1969 Sports Car Club of America's Trans-Am Series. The event, held on the newly inaugurated Grand Prix road course, a 3.310 mi (5.327 km) configuration designed by the Formula 1 star Stirling Moss, which included the extended outfield road course plus part of the banking in clockwise direction, was overshadowed by the death of a spectator and several more injured. This was the first fatality of the new track's two-years history.
On the eighth lap of the race, the Shelby Team 1969 Ford Mustang Boss #2 driven by the Austrian born Australian driver Horst Kwech, spun into a spectator area in the field located on grass, that was sodden with rain, snow and hail that had soaked it earlier in the day. Kwech, as did the other front runners Parnelli Jones and George Follmer, started the race from the inside of the second row on dry tires, and rain began falling as soon the flag was waved. It is not clear whether he had already pitted for a tire change.
Despite Horst Kwech's efforts, the out of control car left the track at an estimated speed of 120 mph (190 km/h) and went through the fence. It hit a number of spectators and smashed into two parked AMC Javelins. Twelve spectators were injured, some of them critically; another one, a fifty-year old man named Derwood S. Fletcher, an AMC employee, (partner and vice president of the Bill Richard Inc. Buick and Rambler Dealership in Mason, MI) who was sitting in one of the cars with his wife Lorna, was taken by helicopter to Jackson's Foot Hospital, where he succumbed to his head, chest and back injuries.
In addition to motor racing, the venue hosts a number of events including the Michigan High School Athletic Association cross country finals for the Lower Peninsula [7] and the annual Make-A-Wish Bicycle Tour. [8] The track also hosts concerts in conjunction with its race weekends. Driving schools are held throughout the year. The Formula SAE competition is now held at MIS, after previously being held in the parking lot of the Pontiac Silverdome. Since 2010, it has hosted the Michigan Wine and Beer Festival, [9] and since 2013, the venue has hosted the country music festival Faster Horses. [10] [11]
Record | Year | Date | Driver | Time | Average Speed (mph) | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NASCAR Cup Series | ||||||
Qualifying (one lap) | 2014 | August 15 | Jeff Gordon | 34.857 | 206.558 | |
Race (400 miles) | 1999 | June 13 | Dale Jarrett | 2:17:56 | 173.997 | |
NASCAR Xfinity Series | ||||||
Qualifying (one lap) | 2015 | June 13 | Joey Logano | 37.157 | 193.772 | |
Race (250 miles) | 1995 | August 19 | Mark Martin | 1:10:46 | 169.571 | |
NASCAR Truck Series | ||||||
Qualifying (one lap) | 2014 | August 15 | Joey Logano | 38.370 | 187.647 | |
Race (200 miles) | 2003 | July 26 | Brendan Gaughan | 1:17:54 | 154.044 | |
CART | ||||||
Qualifying (one lap) | 2000 | July 22 | Paul Tracy | 30.645 | 234.949 | |
Race (500 miles) | 1990 | August 5 | Al Unser Jr. | 2:33:07 | 189.727 | |
IndyCar Series | ||||||
Qualifying (one lap) | 2003 | July 26 | Tomas Scheckter | 32.3657 | 222.458 | |
Race (400 miles) | 2006 | July 30 | Hélio Castroneves | 2:03:43 | 193.972 |
(As of 11 August 2019 [update])
Most wins | 9 | David Pearson |
Most top 5s | 21 | Cale Yarborough |
Most top 10s | 31 | Mark Martin |
Starts | 61 | Bill Elliott |
Poles | 10 | David Pearson |
Most laps completed | 11212 | Bill Elliott |
Most laps led | 1305 | Cale Yarborough |
Avg. start* | 3.1 | Bobby Isaac |
Avg. finish* | 7.6 | Chase Elliott |
* from minimum 5 starts.
As of June 2019, the fastest official race lap records at Michigan International Speedway are listed as:
Category | Time | Driver | Vehicle | Date |
---|---|---|---|---|
D-shaped Oval: 3.219 km (1968–present) | ||||
CART | 0:30.767 [12] | Adrián Fernández | Lola T96/00 | 1996 Marlboro 500 |
IndyCar | 0:32.2730 [13] | Bryan Herta | Dallara IR-03 | 2003 Firestone Indy 400 |
NASCAR Cup | 0:36.093 [14] | Kevin Harvick | Ford Fusion | 2018 FireKeepers Casino 400 |
Indy Lights | 0:37.3349 [15] | Alfred Unser | Dallara IPS | 2004 Paramount Health Insurance 100 |
NASCAR Xfinity | 0:38.290 [16] | Paul Menard | Ford Mustang | 2019 LTi Printing 250 |
NASCAR Truck | 0:38.666 [17] | Myatt Snider | Ford F-150 | 2018 Corrigan Oil 200 |
Infield Road Course: 3.058 km (1968–present) | ||||
IMSA GTP | 1:06.060 [18] | Bill Whittington | March 84G | 1984 Michigan 500k |
IMSA GTO | 1:12.210 [18] | Chester Vincentz | Porsche 934 | 1984 Michigan 500k |
IMSA GTU | 1:13.960 [19] | Bob Bergstrom | Porsche 924 Carrera GTR | 1984 Michigan 500k |
Extended Road Course: 5.327 km (1968–1994) | ||||
Can-Am | 1:36.100 [20] | Denny Hulme | McLaren M8B | 1969 Michigan International Can-Am |
Trans-Am | 1:50.300 [21] | Mark Donohue | AMC Javelin | 1971 Michigan Trans-Am round |
This article needs additional citations for
verification. (June 2009) |
Location | 12626
US Highway 12 Brooklyn, Michigan, 49230 |
---|---|
Time zone | UTC−5 / −4 ( DST) |
Coordinates | 42°03′59″N 84°14′29″W / 42.06639°N 84.24139°W |
Capacity | 56,000–137,243 (max.) depending on stand configurations [1] |
Owner |
NASCAR (2019–present) International Speedway Corporation (1999–2019) Penske Corporation (1972–1992) Lawrence H. LoPatin (1968–1971) |
Operator | NASCAR (2019–present) |
Broke ground | 28 September 1967 |
Opened | 13 October 1968 |
Construction cost | $4–6 million |
Architect | Charles Moneypenny |
Former names | Michigan Speedway (1997–2000) |
Major events | Current:
Former:
|
Website | https://www.mispeedway.com/ |
D-shaped oval (1968–present) | |
Length | 2.000 miles (3.219 km) |
Banking | Turns: 18° Start/Finish: 12° Backstretch: 5° |
Race lap record | 0:30.767 ( Adrián Fernández, Lola T96/00, 1996, CART) |
Infield Road Course (1968–present) | |
Length | 1.900 miles (3.058 km) |
Race lap record | 1:06.060 ( Bill Whittington, March 84G, 1984, IMSA GTP) |
Extended Road Course (1968–1994) | |
Length | 3.310 miles (5.327 km) |
Race lap record | 1:36.100 ( Denny Hulme, McLaren M8B, 1969, Can-Am) |
Michigan International Speedway (MIS) is a 2 mi (3.2 km) moderate-banked D-shaped speedway located in Cambridge Township, Michigan, approximately four miles (6.4 km) south of the village of Brooklyn. Situated on more than 1,400 acres (5.7 km2) [2] in the scenic Irish Hills area of southeastern Michigan, the track is 70 miles (110 km) west of the center of Detroit, 40 miles (64 km) from Ann Arbor, and 60 miles (97 km) south and northwest of Lansing, Michigan and Toledo, Ohio, respectively. MIS is used primarily for NASCAR events. It is sometimes known as a sister track to Texas World Speedway, and was used as the basis of Auto Club Speedway. The track is owned by NASCAR. Michigan International Speedway is recognized as one of motorsports' premier facilities because of its wide racing surface and high banking (by open-wheel standards; the 18-degree banking is modest by stock car standards).
Groundbreaking took place on September 28, 1967. Over 2.5 million cubic yards (1,900,000 m3) of dirt were moved to form the D-shaped oval. The track opened in 1968 with a total capacity of 25,000 seats. The track was originally built and owned by Lawrence H. LoPatin, a Detroit-area land developer who built the speedway at an estimated cost of $4–6 million. [3] LoPatin was President of American Raceways and had a controlling interest in Atlanta International Raceway, Trenton Speedway, Texas World Speedway and Riverside International Raceway until the company went bankrupt in 1971. Financing was arranged by Thomas W Itin. Its first race took place on Sunday, October 13, 1968, with the running of the USAC 250 mile Championship Car Race won by Ronnie Bucknum.
In 1972, Roger Penske purchased the speedway for an estimated $2 million. During Penske's ownership the track was upgraded several times from the original capacity to 125,000 seating capacity. From 1997 to 2000, the track was referred to as Michigan Speedway. This was to keep consistency with other tracks owned by Roger Penske's Motorsports International before its merger with ISC. [3]
In 1999, the speedway was purchased by International Speedway Corporation (ISC) and in 2000 the track was renamed to its original name of Michigan International Speedway. In 2000 10,800 seats were added via a turn 3 grandstand bringing the speedway to its current capacity. 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 race weekend. The AAA Motorsports Fan Plaza—a reconfiguration of over 26 acres (110,000 m2) behind the main grandstand. A new, three-story viewing tower housing the Champions Club presented by AAA and 16 new corporate suites targeted VIP guests, while a press box and a race operations facility high above the two-mile (3.2 km) oval welcomed the media and race officials. [3] Michigan was repaved prior to the 2012 season. This marks the first time since 1995 that the oval was resurfaced, along with 1967, 1975, and 1986. Also new for 2012 was the addition of a new 20-space trackside luxury campsite to be known as APEX. Situated in turn 3, each site will offer a 20-by-55-foot (6.1 by 16.8 m) area. To accommodate these new campsites, the remaining silver grandstands in turns 3 and 4 were removed. [4]
On January 28, 2019, it was revealed on ISC's 2018 annual report that the speedway's track seating was reduced from 71,000 to 56,000. [1]
May 11, 1969, the Michigan International Speedway hosted the Wolverine 4-Hour Trans-Am race, the opening round for the 1969 Sports Car Club of America's Trans-Am Series. The event, held on the newly inaugurated Grand Prix road course, a 3.310 mi (5.327 km) configuration designed by the Formula 1 star Stirling Moss, which included the extended outfield road course plus part of the banking in clockwise direction, was overshadowed by the death of a spectator and several more injured. This was the first fatality of the new track's two-years history.
On the eighth lap of the race, the Shelby Team 1969 Ford Mustang Boss #2 driven by the Austrian born Australian driver Horst Kwech, spun into a spectator area in the field located on grass, that was sodden with rain, snow and hail that had soaked it earlier in the day. Kwech, as did the other front runners Parnelli Jones and George Follmer, started the race from the inside of the second row on dry tires, and rain began falling as soon the flag was waved. It is not clear whether he had already pitted for a tire change.
Despite Horst Kwech's efforts, the out of control car left the track at an estimated speed of 120 mph (190 km/h) and went through the fence. It hit a number of spectators and smashed into two parked AMC Javelins. Twelve spectators were injured, some of them critically; another one, a fifty-year old man named Derwood S. Fletcher, an AMC employee, (partner and vice president of the Bill Richard Inc. Buick and Rambler Dealership in Mason, MI) who was sitting in one of the cars with his wife Lorna, was taken by helicopter to Jackson's Foot Hospital, where he succumbed to his head, chest and back injuries.
In addition to motor racing, the venue hosts a number of events including the Michigan High School Athletic Association cross country finals for the Lower Peninsula [7] and the annual Make-A-Wish Bicycle Tour. [8] The track also hosts concerts in conjunction with its race weekends. Driving schools are held throughout the year. The Formula SAE competition is now held at MIS, after previously being held in the parking lot of the Pontiac Silverdome. Since 2010, it has hosted the Michigan Wine and Beer Festival, [9] and since 2013, the venue has hosted the country music festival Faster Horses. [10] [11]
Record | Year | Date | Driver | Time | Average Speed (mph) | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NASCAR Cup Series | ||||||
Qualifying (one lap) | 2014 | August 15 | Jeff Gordon | 34.857 | 206.558 | |
Race (400 miles) | 1999 | June 13 | Dale Jarrett | 2:17:56 | 173.997 | |
NASCAR Xfinity Series | ||||||
Qualifying (one lap) | 2015 | June 13 | Joey Logano | 37.157 | 193.772 | |
Race (250 miles) | 1995 | August 19 | Mark Martin | 1:10:46 | 169.571 | |
NASCAR Truck Series | ||||||
Qualifying (one lap) | 2014 | August 15 | Joey Logano | 38.370 | 187.647 | |
Race (200 miles) | 2003 | July 26 | Brendan Gaughan | 1:17:54 | 154.044 | |
CART | ||||||
Qualifying (one lap) | 2000 | July 22 | Paul Tracy | 30.645 | 234.949 | |
Race (500 miles) | 1990 | August 5 | Al Unser Jr. | 2:33:07 | 189.727 | |
IndyCar Series | ||||||
Qualifying (one lap) | 2003 | July 26 | Tomas Scheckter | 32.3657 | 222.458 | |
Race (400 miles) | 2006 | July 30 | Hélio Castroneves | 2:03:43 | 193.972 |
(As of 11 August 2019 [update])
Most wins | 9 | David Pearson |
Most top 5s | 21 | Cale Yarborough |
Most top 10s | 31 | Mark Martin |
Starts | 61 | Bill Elliott |
Poles | 10 | David Pearson |
Most laps completed | 11212 | Bill Elliott |
Most laps led | 1305 | Cale Yarborough |
Avg. start* | 3.1 | Bobby Isaac |
Avg. finish* | 7.6 | Chase Elliott |
* from minimum 5 starts.
As of June 2019, the fastest official race lap records at Michigan International Speedway are listed as:
Category | Time | Driver | Vehicle | Date |
---|---|---|---|---|
D-shaped Oval: 3.219 km (1968–present) | ||||
CART | 0:30.767 [12] | Adrián Fernández | Lola T96/00 | 1996 Marlboro 500 |
IndyCar | 0:32.2730 [13] | Bryan Herta | Dallara IR-03 | 2003 Firestone Indy 400 |
NASCAR Cup | 0:36.093 [14] | Kevin Harvick | Ford Fusion | 2018 FireKeepers Casino 400 |
Indy Lights | 0:37.3349 [15] | Alfred Unser | Dallara IPS | 2004 Paramount Health Insurance 100 |
NASCAR Xfinity | 0:38.290 [16] | Paul Menard | Ford Mustang | 2019 LTi Printing 250 |
NASCAR Truck | 0:38.666 [17] | Myatt Snider | Ford F-150 | 2018 Corrigan Oil 200 |
Infield Road Course: 3.058 km (1968–present) | ||||
IMSA GTP | 1:06.060 [18] | Bill Whittington | March 84G | 1984 Michigan 500k |
IMSA GTO | 1:12.210 [18] | Chester Vincentz | Porsche 934 | 1984 Michigan 500k |
IMSA GTU | 1:13.960 [19] | Bob Bergstrom | Porsche 924 Carrera GTR | 1984 Michigan 500k |
Extended Road Course: 5.327 km (1968–1994) | ||||
Can-Am | 1:36.100 [20] | Denny Hulme | McLaren M8B | 1969 Michigan International Can-Am |
Trans-Am | 1:50.300 [21] | Mark Donohue | AMC Javelin | 1971 Michigan Trans-Am round |