Michigan International Speedway  

Michigan International Speedway
Facts and Information

Michigan International Speedway has 35-year history of hosting America's best racing action on its 1,200-plus acres in the scenic Irish Hills. With 18 degree banking and 73-foot wide sweeping turns, Michigan International Speedway provides drivers with three and four grooves to run around the two-mile speedway.

When Michigan International Speedway opened in 1968, the 12,000-seat center grandstand stood overlooking the new two-mile oval, a symbol of a new era for the Irish Hills area. With smaller grandstands on each side, the track proudly boasted 25,000 seats.

No one at the time suspected it was the start of something much, much bigger. Since its opening, the success of the speedway and the growth of motorsports has made Michigan International Speedway the largest sports arena in Michigan. The center grandstand was extended in 1985, in 1989, and again in 1990 to seat over 27,000. In 1999, a 28,000-seat, 10-1/2-story high structure was added to the center grandstand, increasing the number of seats to 55,000-more than four times its original size.

In 1990, the first of two of the seven grandstands in turn one were erected, and in 1992, the first North Concourse grandstands (turn four) were built. By 1997, the eighth North Concourse grandstand was built in turn three.