I have always loved Michigan International Speedway. I got the opportunity to go there for the first time when I was 12 years old and loved. Everything about the place just makes me smile. From the drive in to the facilities and of course the racing at over 205 MPH!
When Will called me the Saturday evening before the race and said our buddy and MIS Correspondent Ken Friend had 2 tickets for us, I was excited to say the least. I knew Will had never been to MIS before and I had always wanted to go back. So we set out on a unbelievable experience.
We stayed about an hour from the track on Saturday night. It was not the greatest part of the trip but it was a bed and a shower at least. But when we got up on Sunday morning we absolutely no problem with traffic at any point. Even once we got to the track. The traffic at MIS had always been the main issue for fans. But not anymore! They have done a great job with the flow and widening of the U.S. 12 the highway that runs right by the track. I was so impressed in the difference from when I was there the first time as a kid, I couldn't believe the difference and how fast we made it in and out after the race.
The facilities are like none other that I have ever been to in my racing life. I have been going to races all over the country since I was a little boy and nothing even comes close to how well it is set up and how clean they keep everything. The seating is great at MIS as long as you sit above about row 14 or so. Other than that we had a blast at the race. I recommend going to the entrance of turn 1 even if you are not sitting there. The speed the cars carry into the corner is unbelievable. You can see the whole track from almost any where in the place. We sat on the front stretch for a couple laps at the beginning of the race and I didn't really like it. You could only see the cars as they went by at almost 200 MPH. I mean if you like the pit stops and all the action on pit road then they are great seats for that. But I like to see the guys racing all the way around the track 2 wide for several laps at a time.
The trip to MIS was one of the best experiences of my life. Both racing and as an American. The beautiful Irish Hills of Southern Michigan is some of the most breath taking scenery I have ever had the privilege of seeing in this great country. Its almost as if you take a step back in time when you get of the interstate on to U.S. 12. Everything is so quite and peaceful. Its just a great place to go relax for a weekend and enjoy some of the fastest racing on the NASCAR schedule.
I can not wait to go back as soon as possible. Only next time I want to go for the whole weekend and camp and use that million dollar shower house they built for us fans. I hope you can go check out MIS, you will not regret it I promise.
By Tony Wilson
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