By: Jason Schultz
Michigan President Interview: Behind the Scenes Look at the Michigan
International Speedway with the Track President
Want a great fan experience? Head out to the Michigan
International Speedway this weekend for the Pure Michigan 400. The races at Michigan
are always a blast and below the President of the Michigan International
Speedway told me some cool details of different things happening at the track.
For the upcoming Pure Michigan 400, stakes are high for some drivers who are
aiming to get in the Chase. Some drivers find themselves in a “win or go home”
strategy to make the Chase. We’ve seen upsets at the Michigan International
Speedway before and this year we could see some of the biggest upsets ever.
After the repaving of the track last fall, it is now the
fastest in NASCAR and fast tracks bring great racing. Dale Earnhardt Jr broke
his winless streak in the June race this year and he could get back to victory
lane this coming weekend. With all the exciting events happening at the
Michigan International Speedway, we will see a great racing weekend.
Recently, I was able to talk to the President of the
Michigan International Speedway, Roger Curtis, and he gave me some exclusive
information on different things happening at the speedway. Below you can see
Roger’s responses to my questions and find out what’s happening at the Michigan
International Speedway.
What
are some changes the Speedway has made for the upcoming August race?
“SPEED! With the repave
completed last fall, we have become NASCAR’s fastest track with speeds close to
200 mph. With the speeds, there has been some great racing. The
Quicken Loans 400 was fantastic and drivers have told me that the Pure Michigan
400 will be even better after the last Goodyear tire test a couple of weeks
ago. The racing in June was outstanding so I can’t wait to see this
race! They will also see the new Budweiser Party Patio in Turn 4.
It is great place to visit during the race. It will take your breath away
seeing cars fly by you at close to 200 MPH at ground level. It is also a
great place to visit ‘after hours’ for a great party.”
What has been your favorite change the track
has made?
“Fixing our traffic issues from years
ago. To me, this was one of those defining moments for us and our
fans. I would also add just making our place a great fan
experience. We view ourselves a lot more like Disney than a sports
facility. Our vision is to create lasting memories for every person every
time. We are not perfect, but our fans now know that we sincerely care
about them and give back in so many ways – from lower prices to investing $65
million into improving the facility, to our Fan Appreciation program that gives
fans once-in-a-lifetime experiences like no other track.”
With
Dale Earnhardt Jr getting back to victory lane in June at Michigan, did you see
a jump in ticket sales for the August race?
“We did, not only from Jr winning, but
just from the great racing and the awesome speeds that fans saw. I told
Dale Jr in Victory Lane that he didn’t have to wait for Leap Year to win at MIS
again! I think he will be the favorite coming into the Pure Michigan 400
so Jr. Nation should make their way to the Irish Hills!”
What
are some of your favorite behind the scenes aspects at the Michigan
International Speedway that fans can’t see on TV?
“All of the campers and the parties in
our beautiful campgrounds! Most of our team camps here on race weekend, as do
I. I spend all of my evenings visiting the campgrounds and hanging out
with the fans. It is like a ‘focus group’ for me, but also allows fans to
hear the track’s perspective. Plus, I just love doing it. I have
made some very good friends over the years and I make new ones each weekend. It
is amazing what a community it becomes and the friends that are made on a race
weekend. You can come here to camp knowing no one and leave with lifelong
friends. Heck, I even married a couple in Gatorade Victory Lane in June!”
After
the tragic lightning strike at Pocono, what would MIS do if a storm was
approaching and the race was over?
“That was very tragic and out thoughts
and prayers continue to go out to all those affected in Pocono. The
safety of our guests is absolutely our No. 1 priority and focus. We have
several things in place for any type of emergency, including having the
National Weather Service on site with their equipment. If the NWS
informed us of incoming dangerous weather, we would immediately communicate
with our fans.”
How
would the Speedway alert the fans of the incoming weather?
“We have several ways to do so from
PA, scoreboard, Sprint Visions, Twitter, Facebook, our texting service, MRN,
our mobile app, our ushers, and emergency vehicles going through the
campgrounds. In the end, no matter what you do, you never can be 100
percent certain when dealing with nature, but you are diligent and do all that
you can and put everything that you can in place to minimize all risks.”
Are there any big changes the speedway is planning before the 2013
races?
“We are upgrading our center
grandstands restrooms and building a new restroom in the infield. We are
also improving our on-site technology so fans can better access social media no
matter their cell phone carrier and we will begin installing Wi-Fi hot spots
around the facility. We will also be making improvements to our New
Holland Fan Plaza and Kids Zone.”
What does the track president do on race
weekend?
“I do have some ‘official’
duties – meeting our great sponsors, government officials, etc. - but I am a race fan. Before I became President, I came
to MIS many times with my wife and our family and friends as fans, so I spend
as much time as I possibly can interacting with fans. Whether I am riding
the trams, walking in the New Holland Fan Plaza, meeting guests with pit
passes, hanging out in the campgrounds, or even sitting in the stands, I love
visiting our fans. I even pick a fan to give out a special Fan Trophy to
the winner of our Cup races.”
What
do you expect of the upcoming race?
“I love this wild card deal that
NASCAR put in place last year. It is really added a lot of excitement and
tension to the these last few races and the Pure Michigan 400 is going to be
very critical for a lot of very good drivers who need to win to get in the
Chase, so I expect a lot of action, very fast, and very fun as always!”
What
do you most look forward to this race weekend?
“Visiting with the fans and
thanking them for choosing to come to our beautiful track. It is amazing
how many fans we have had the past few years, even with the tough
economy. It shows that we have the best fans here in Michigan, the upper
Midwest and Canada and I want to personally let them know that!”
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