It might not be one of the first tracks you think of, but Michigan International Speedway definitely makes our list of ten tracks we love.

Michigan International Speedway
Location: Brooklyn, Michigan
Length: 2 miles
Shape: D-shaped Oval
Permanent Seating: 137,000+

When one thinks of historic racetracks, names like Indianapolis, Daytona and Darlington come to mind. Michigan International Speedway (MIS) may not be top of mind but it is no slouch in the history-making department.

Built in the Irish Hills region of Michigan, MIS had its groundbreaking in September 1967. More than 1,400 cubic yards of earth was moved to create the distinctive D-shaped oval. Charles Moneypenny, who designed Daytona International Speedway, helmed the project. Unique to the track were two road courses built in that were able to be used separately or combined to form one long course. These road courses are now closed for public races.

The main mover and shaker in the MIS project was Lawrence LoPatin, a land developer from Detroit who had already been successful in building other smaller speedways. He built the 18-degree banked MIS for a cost of $4 - $6 million dollars. The speedway opened in October 1968 and hosted the inaugural race on October 13th. According to track history, the Indy-car style event boasted the second-largest purse in racing, trailing only the rich Indianapolis 500.

NASCAR burst onto the MIS scene in 1969, when Cale Yarborough dueled with LeeRoy Yarbrough to win the first stock car event at the track on June 15th. Racing continued in many forms at Michigan, notably hosting many famous and very fast Indy-car events.

LoPatin’s land development company began to see financial troubles when other speedways it built and managed began to drain the company’s resources. In 1971, American Raceways, Inc. went into bankruptcy proceedings and then was forced into receivership in 1972.

The track was rescued by the legendary Roger Penske in 1973. Penske immediately took the ailing track and began investing heavily in capital improvements. Over 100,000 new seats were added and the track facilities were upgraded to conform to Penske’s vision. Suites and shops and even two small companies founded by Penske found homes on the grounds.

Penske continued his ownership for twenty-five years, and even extended his improvement formula to Nazareth (PA) Speedway. It seemed that his specialty was reviving bankrupt tracks, and it was clear he had succeeded. Penske, who by this time had also acquired California Speedway and North Carolina Speedway, went public with his company Penske Motorsports, Inc. The “International” was also dropped from MIS’s name to align with the names of Penske’s other properties.

Penske Motorsports would be short-lived as the powerful NASCAR sister corporation, International Speedway Corporation, purchased the track in June of 1999. In 2000, ISC announced that the “International” would be placed back into Michigan Speedway’s official name. ISC is the current owner of MIS.

Michigan has long been known for its excellent racing, with wide turns and the ability to pass. But the track has its dangers; qualifying speeds routinely reach 190 mph and it is not unusual for straightaway speeds to reach 200 mph. In a horrifying crash, popular NASCAR driver Ernie Irvan sustained a life-threatening brain injury in 1994 during a Saturday morning crash. After temporarily retiring from NASCAR to heal and rehabilitate, he crashed again in almost the same spot in 1999, forcing his withdrawal from the sport.

One storyline that never goes unmentioned at MIS is that the track is literally in the backyard of Chevrolet, Ford and Dodge facilities. It is the one track where the manufacturers can take home bragging rights if their car type wins.

MIS hosts two races each year, within two months of each other. The first race, traditionally on or near Father’s Day, is currently branded as the Citizen’s Bank 400. The mid-August race is the 3M Performance 400. The track also hosts the companion Busch (now Nationwide Series) events the day before each event.

MIS is currently involved in upgrading and adding to its facilities. New campsites are currently being built and are expected to be ready for the first race of 2008.

Michigan always entertains and produces colorful results. Don’t forget to tune in next year for some great racing!