Where To Watch NASCAR This Weekend: Friday, June 6

ARCA Race: Henry Ford Health 200 (FS2, MRN, SiriusXM at 5 p.m. ET)

Saturday, June 7

NCTS Practice & Kennametal Pole Qualifying (FS1 at 8 a.m. ET)

NCS Practice & Busch Light Pole Qualifying (Amazon Prime, MRN, SiriusXM at 9:30 a.m. ET)NCTS Race: DQS Solutions & Staffing 200 (FOX, NRN, SiriusXM at Noon ET)

Sunday, June 8

NCS Race: FireKeepers Casino 400 (Amazon Prime, MRN, SiriusXM at 2 p.m. ET)

Historical & Significant Events at Michigan International Speedway:

·       Michigan was built in the late 1960s by Michigan land developer Larry LoPatin and his short-lived racing empire, American Raceways Inc. (ARI), which grew to include tracks in Michigan, Atlanta, and Texas; LoPatin also planned to build a track in New Jersey. Michigan, located on more than 1,400 acres, was designed by Charles Moneypenny, who also designed Daytona International Speedway.

·       The first NASCAR Cup Series race at Michigan International Speedway was held June 15, 1969. NASCAR Hall of Famer Cale Yarborough won the inaugural race in Wood Brothers Racing’s No. 21 Mercury at a speed of 139.254 mph.

·       After ARI went bankrupt in 1973, the track was placed in receivership. Roger Penske purchased the facility. Under Penske’s 25-year ownership, the seating capacity grew from 25,000 to over 125,000, and many buildings and facilities were added, making MIS one of the premier tracks on the Cup circuit.

·       International Speedway Corporation, now NASCAR, acquired Michigan International Speedway in 1999.

·       Since 2004 the track has made a series of capital improvements including a new suite/club structure above the grandstands; new facilities for broadcast area, race control and the press box; a new 108 foot tall three-sided scoreboard (replaced in 2011 and height increased to 155 feet), additional grandstands, replacement of the terrace suites and media center, new track signage; expanded new vendor and display areas and expansion of the pedestrian tunnel.

·       The track was resurfaced for the 1978, 1986, 1995, and 2012 seasons. The 2012 repave consisted of removing the top two inches of the existing pavement and placing two lifts of asphalt – each 1 ½ inches thick – as a leveling course and a final wearing course. About 646,000 square feet of asphalt was removed, and another 22,000 tons of new asphalt went in its place. Pit road was repaved in 2011. A laser survey of the existing track surface collected approximately 100 million data points, allowing engineers to replicate the original pavement yet smooth out the dips and bumps. Those data points have shown the racetrack has variable banking in its 18-degree turns.

·       In June 2012, following the repave, nineteen drivers time trialed over 200 mph. Forty drivers were faster than the previous record.

·       In June 2013, Michigan International Speedway announced the creation of a Manufacturer’s Trophy, an ode to the spirit of the automobile and its importance to the racetrack. Inspired by the Stanley Cup, the award recognizes the winning manufacturer after each NASCAR Cup Series win at MIS.

·       The Turn 3 grandstands were removed for the 2014 races. A track official said, “This will help keep fans closer to the action, and the fan plaza and a better view of pit row. Removing the section of grandstands reduced seating capacity from 87,000 to 72,000. It is just the latest project that has reduced capacity over the past decade. As recently as 2006, MIS could seat nearly 137,000 fans.