Circle Michigan 2023 - 50

[SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN]
Michigan International Speedway draws
thousands of NASCAR fans; Right: The
FireKeepers Casino 400 runs Aug. 6, 2023,
at Michigan International Speedway.
Racing Action
Visit NASCAR's most entertaining track
by JACKIE SHECKLER FINCH
A
s a Hoosier, I seem to have a need for speed.
After watching the famed Indy 500 for years, I
was excited to head to Brooklyn. Nope, not the
city in New York. The city in Michigan, home
of Michigan International Speedway (MIS) where I went to hear
the rumble of racecars, revving of engines, and roar of the crowd.
The inaugural race took place Oct. 13, 1968, and the 250-mile
Indy-style event was won by Ronnie Bucknum. The first NASCAR
race at the speedway was June 15, 1969, with Cale Yarbrough the
victor. Hard to believe, but this year marks the 55th straight year
that MIS has hosted NASCAR Cup Series.
" It is very exciting to be home to NASCAR's most entertaining
track, " says Justin Gifford, executive director of Visit Lenawee.
" We can't wait to celebrate the sport's diamond anniversary
with fans this year, " says Joe Fowler, MIS president. " We're excited
to build on the momentum MIS and NASCAR are experiencing. "
Some of the things I like about MIS-besides the race and the
racecars-are free parking, tailgating in the parking lot two hours
before the grandstand opens, and the ability to bring in my own
48 | CIRCLE MICHIGAN PREMIER GROUP TRAVEL GUIDE
food and drinks. I also was fascinated by the MIS longtime tradition
of camping. With nearly 9,000 campsites, MIS is the largest
registered campground in the state of Michigan.
I didn't get to stay there, but I hope to camp in the MIS infield
on another visit, or maybe bring some friends and rent a RV. The
great thing about those RV rentals is that they are already set up.
All we have to do is show up, enjoy the RV and race, and then
walk away to our next adventure.
When I visited, a man next to me was wearing a headset which
allowed him to hear what his favorite driver and team communication
were saying and to listen to the race broadcast on the radio.
A headset could be rented at MIS and added to the excitement,
the man said.
MIS is said to offer some of America's best racing action on
its 1,400-plus acres in the scenic Irish Hills. With 18-degree banking
and 73-foot-wide sweeping turns, MIS offers drivers three
and four grooves to run around the 2-mile speedway for a terrific
race. As a dedicated race fan, I must say my visit was as thrilling
as I had hoped.
FROM LEFT MICHIGAN INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY, VISIT LENAWEE
Circle Michigan 2023

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