Fast Track Facts: Michigan International Speedway

credit: NASCAR Media

It has a title that once belonged to the likes of Daytona and Talladega: Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, MI, is now the fastest track on the NASCAR circuit, with qualifying speeds in excess of 200 mph for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series. Learn more about this 2-mile D-shaped oval in this week’s Fast Facts.

• Groundbreaking for MIS took place in Sept. 1967, with the track opening in Oct. 1968. Its original seating capacity was 25,000; today, the track has a listed capacity of 71,000. In 1999, International Speedway Corporation purchased the track from Roger Penske, who bought the track in 1972.
• Improvements made to the track after the ISC purchase included the addition of the AAA Motorsports Fan Plaza behind the main grandstand; the addition of a three-story viewing tower and corporate suites; and repaving the track prior to the 2012 season.
• MIS currently hosts two Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series races and one race each for the Xfinity Series, Camping World Truck Series and ARCA Racing Series. The track has also hosted CART and IndyCar Series racing.
• The track qualifying record for the Cup Series is held by Jeff Gordon (206.558 mph/34.857 seconds in Aug. 2014. David Pearson holds the record for most wins (nine) and most pole positions (10).
• Find out more about Michigan International Speedway at its website, www.mispeedway.com.