MIS, Chevy, Ford, Toyota award $40,000 to Detroit’s Michigan Science Center

Michigan International Speedway, on behalf of Chevrolet, Ford and Toyota, donated $40,000 to the Michigan Science Center in Detroit on Thursday as part of the speedway’s Michigan Heritage trophy.

The Michigan Heritage trophy is a recognition and celebration of the automobile and its importance to the race track and the manufacturers competing in NASCAR.  As part of the Michigan Heritage, each contending manufacturer and MIS annually commit $10,000 to be given to a youth-focused and science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM)-related charity in Michigan.

The trophy is presented to the winning manufacturer in each NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Michigan International Speedway.

At the end of the year, the winning manufacturer can select a charity of its choice to donate the $40,000.

Chevy won both NASCAR Sprint Cup events at MIS this summer and chose the Michigan Science Center (MiSci) as this year’s recipient. The Science Center received $40,000 to assist in its educational programs on Thursday.

Jimmie Johnson won the Quicken Loans 400 while Jeff Gordon was victorious in the Pure Michigan 400.

“We are thrilled to accept this generous donation from Michigan International Speedway, Chevrolet, Ford Motor Company and Toyota,” said Dr. Tonya Matthews, president and CEO, Michigan Science Center.  “These are the kinds of partnerships that allow MiSci to expose and inspire young people with STEM throughout greater Detroit and Michigan. We are dedicated to driving the next generation of STEM professionals to their future. Support like this – from the makers and racers of fantastically engineered fast cars – helps us get them there faster!”

The Michigan Science Center features more than 250 hands-on exhibits that explore space, health, physical science, engineering and more. In addition, the Science Center has special exhibits in its Traveling Exhibits hall, a Kids Town gallery fun for children ages five and under, science demonstrations and programs, Traveling Science, day camps, scout workshops and home school programs. The donation will allow the Science Center to enhance its STEM-related programs and exhibits for guests, especially school children, to experience.

The Michigan Heritage, inspired by the iconic Stanley Cup, will recognize the winning manufacturer – Ford, Toyota or Chevrolet – after each NASCAR Sprint Cup Series win at MIS.

“We are proud to join with the three manufacturers in NASCAR – Chevy, Ford and Toyota – to present a check for $40,000 to the Michigan Science Center,” MIS President Roger Curtis said. “The three manufactures compete on the track at Michigan International Speedway, but it is exciting to see them unite to enhance the STEM-program at a facility like the Michigan Science Center. We are proud of the manufacturers and their involvement in NASCAR and presence in Michigan and The Michigan Heritage is a great way to honor and celebrate them.”

The trophy was designed by Fortress Studios artists Steven Kuypers and Steven McShane, both graduates of Detroit’s College for Creative Studies. The Michigan Heritage trophy is three feet tall, weighs about 30 pounds and features an original sculpture similar to Greek goddess of victory Nike, also inspiration for classic cars hood ornaments from Cadillac, Rolls-Royce and Packard.

The original bronze artwork sits atop a wooden base similar to the architecture of Detroit landmarks such as the Fisher Building and Guardian Building.

MIS PR