Michigan International Speedway Tickets

Michigan Speedway

When Michigan International Speedway opened in 1968, it featured a 12,000-seat center grandstand and smaller grandstands on each side to make the total seating capacity up to 25,000 seats. Now, with the success of motorsports and the speedway, Michigan International Speedway quickly came to be the largest sports arena in Michigan. And with the 18-degree banking turns, the 73-foot wide sweeping complete with three and four grooves make for exciting racing action. It's easy to see why so many people gather at Michigan International Raceway each year.

Extensions to the grandstand in 1985, 1989, and in 1990 upped seating capacity by more than 27,000 seats. In 1999, an additional 10-1/2 story tall structure with seating for 28,000 people was added onto the already existing grandstand. Now the capacity of the center grandstand stood at 55,000 people, which was more than four times the original size. All together, the Michigan International Raceway can hold 137,243 people.

The additional seating capacity at Michigan International Speedway was driven by its success. Throughout the years, Michigan International Speedway has seen plenty of racing action and history. On June 15, 1969, Cale Yarborough won the very first NASCAR race at Michigan International Speedway. A.J. Foyt, Mario Andretti, Richard Petty, Al Unser, and Alex Zanardi are just some of the drivers who have taken to the track at Michigan International Speedway.

During the course of the three race weekends in 2006, Michigan International Speedway is anticipating over half a million fans. Included races during those weekends are NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, NASCAR Busch Series, IRL IndyCar Series, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, and ARCA RE/MAX Series.