Michigan International Speedway

Michigan International Speedway opened in 1968 and joined the Cup Series schedule in 1969. The 2-mile D-shaped oval in Brooklyn, Michigan, was built to take advantage of the Detroit automotive industry's proximity and has long served as a marketing showcase for the Big Three manufacturers. Michigan's wide racing surface and progressive 18-degree banking historically produced the highest straightaway speeds on the Cup circuit, with cars regularly exceeding 200 mph before the engine and tire changes of the late 2000s. The track is owned by Roger Penske and hosts one Cup race per year in mid-summer. Long runs at Michigan reward setup, horsepower, and patient tire management, and the wide surface allows two- and three-wide racing in the corners on restarts and final-lap sequences.