The two mile, D-shaped oval of Michigan International Speedway is nestled in the rolling Irish Hills of southeastern Michigan. With 18-degree banking in the turns, the track shows off three and four-wide racing making it a driver and fan favorite.

Built in 1967 by Detroit land developer Lawrence H. LoPatin, the original design offered infield and exterior road courses in addition to the oval track. The designer of Daytona International Speedway, Charles Moneypenny, designed the main track, while Formula One driver Sir Stirling Moss designed the road courses.

The track opened its gates for its first race on October 13, 1968; the race was an Indy-style event and was won by Ronnie Bucknam who collected the hefty $20,088 purse. The first NASCAR event was held the following year. Eventual winner Cale Yarborough battled LeeRoy Yarbrough throughout the majority of the event. Yarbrough crashed on the last turn of the last lap which allowed Yarborough to take the victory.

While Michigan International Speedway was a success from the start, the other tracks LoPatin owned were not doing as well and eventually caused his business, American Raceways Inc., to go bankrupt. Fortunately, Roger Penske stepped to the plate. He purchased the deed to the race track for an estimated $2 million dollars and immediately began improving the facility.

Penske more than quintupled the seating and added numerous buildings to the grounds turning MIS into the successful, reputable track it still is today. In 1997, Penske Motorsports, Inc. was created to manage all of the tracks he owned. Two years later, PMI merged with Bill France’s International Speedway Corporation.

Michigan International Speedway is now one of twelve tracks owned by ISC and the facility is continuously being improved. This year, a new sound system and revamped seating in turn one are just a couple of the planned improvements.

Over the years, MIS has seen some great racing by some amazing drivers. Richard Petty, Dale Earnhardt Sr., Jeff Gordon, Dale Jarrett, Davey Allison and Neal Bonnett are just a few of the drivers who have gone to Victory Lane there.

During the two race weekends each year, over half a million fans venture to MIS to witness some of the greatest racing on the NASCAR circuit.

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