Friday, 20 May, 2005 10:35 PM

MIS Undergoes Major Renovations

PHOTO BY JASON RZUCIDLO / AMERICAJR.com

The Michigan International Speedway sign on US-12.

Michigan International Speedway is Michigan's only superspeedway and home to NASCAR auto racing. This year, the race track is undergoing the biggest renovation project in it's history.

The frontstretch will be totally redone and renamed AAA Motorsports Fan Plaza. It will create a new "front door" to the race track. It will include 26-acres of new space. A new "Legends Walk" will be created to showcase some of the drivers who have celebrated victories at Michigan. The merchandise and display areas will be moved with more walking space.

A new "Champions Club" will be created. It will be located on top of the grandstands and below the suites. It will include 870 new seats that will be wider. It also comes with an in-seat waiter and access to the indoor entertainment section. There will be an air-conditioned dining area, private restrooms and a bar.

Above the Champions Club will be the all-new Skylouge Structure. It will be the two levels on top. It will replace the original structure that was in place since MIS opened its doors back in 1968. There will be 16 new suites in this area.

All of the renovation projects will be completed by Father's Day weekend for the first race of 2005. At that time, MIS will now have 137,243 seats making it the 8th largest race track on the NASCAR Nextel Cup circuit.

Several auto racing drivers have had the opportunity to tour the new renovations. One of them is Johnny Benson, a Craftsman truck series driver. He said, "For the people that come out and support this racetrack there is now even more to see and do."

Benson added, "It gives the fans even more to do before and after they watch us race. I haven't spent that much time on this side of the race track, but I do remember sitting in the grandstands watching my dad race here when I was 10 years old."

ARCA President Ron Drager has also experienced the renovations first hand. He said, "No doubt, quite a lot of positive things have transpired at Michigan International Speedway since the first appearance of the ARCA RE/MAX Series back in 1980."

Drager continues, "Certainly, this is the most broad and sweeping, fan-oriented, capital improvement we've seen in a single off-season over that time. What's great about it is that the classic personality of MIS is still evident; it's still the same friendly place with an impressive facelift."

Ernie Irvan announces a special event at MIS

Former Nascar driver Ernie Irvan has announced a special walk-a-thon called "L.A.P.S. Walk" which will benefit his Race 2 Safety Foundation and the Brain Injury Association of Michigan. The event which stands for Leadership & Awareness to Promore Safety will be held on August 17th.

Participants will pay a $100 entry fee and have the opportunity to walk with Irvan and other Nascar Nextel Cup drivers around the 2-mile oval which is Michigan's only Superspeedway. They will be raising money for the two wonderful organizations.

Ernie Irvan said, "My goals changed from being the top NASCAR driver in America to simply being able to take my daughter to school.  I had a second and then a third chance at life, and I feel these chances were granted to me so that I could make a difference so I could spread the word about brain injury awareness, protection and prevention."

The Spirit of America 500 on September 11th

Each year since 2002, MIS has been hosting a blood drive for the American Red Cross. The goal for the first two years was 400 units of blood. Last year, it was raised to 450 pints and now will be 500 pints of blood.

It has been such a great success for both organizations. The Spirit of America 500 is the largest blood drive on 9/11 in the entire country. It is also the largest one day blood drive in the state of Michigan. Since its inception in 2002, it has collected over 1,343 units of blood which is enough to save the lives of more than 4,000 people.

Each blood transfusion can help three people. With a goal of 500 units this year, the drive could save the lives of 1,500 people. Appointments can be made by calling the American Red Cross at 1-800-GIVE-LIFE. The 10-hour event will run from 8:30 a.m. until 6:30 p.m. at night.

MIS Announces 2005 Schedule of Events

Father's Day weekend serves as the kickoff to the 2005 season at MIS. The ARCA Re/Max Series makes an appeance on June 17th with the Hantz Group 200 race. On Saturday, The Nascar Craftsman Trucks roar into town with the Paramount Health Insurance 200 race. The Nascar Nextel Cup series will make an appearance at MIS wit hthe Batman Begins 400 race on June 19, 2005.

During the month of July, there will be one race, the Michigan Indy 400. It will include drivers from the Indy Car series.

In August, there will be another ARCA Re/Max series race on August 19, 2005 with the same title Hantz Group 200. On Saturday, the Nascar Busch Series comes to MIS in the 250 mile race. Nascar Nextel Cup closes out the 2005 race season with the GFS Marketplace 400 on August 21, 2005.

Source: Michigan International Speedway

COURTESY OF MISPEEDWAY.com

A computer rendered drawing of the new tower behind the grandstand seating.