Brad Keselowski Returns home to help MI Speedway

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Brad Keselowski made a trip back to his home state of Michigan on Tuesday in support of Michigan International Speedway and the beginning of the 2011 NASCAR race season.

Keselowski paid a visit to Troppo Restaurant in Lansing, Mich. during MIS’ second Season Kick Off, which featured a variety of fans, media and partners. The fans ranged from long-time MIS ticket holders to first-time buyers in 2011.

“MIS is an unbelievable place,” Keselowski said. “I am fortunate to have won back-to-back Nationwide Series races at MIS and will look to defend that race win in June this year. However, we would also really like to win at MIS in the Sprint Cup Series. I love coming back to Michigan and helping out with these events any way I can.”

MIS, and its president Roger Curtis, discussed many of its initiatives for 2011 including its Fan Appreciation Program, now in its third year, the upcoming Budweiser Shootout Viewing Party at FireKeepers Casino on Feb. 12, qualifying moving to Saturday in June and the Great Lakes Wine Fest, which will take place on May 21 at the speedway.

An update of the track’s capital improvement projects was given. Most of the three grandstands between turns 3 and 4 have been taken down. Work has also begun to widen the pedestrian tunnel under the frontstretch of the track. Partners FireKeepers Casino and new ARCA Racing Series race sponsor RainEater Wiper Blades were on hand and participated in the Q&A format.

“It’s important to continue to update our fans, media and partners on what we are doing at MIS and how these initiatives are continuing to make our track a must-see event on the Sprint Cup Series race schedule for our fans.”

Keselowski also talked about his new Checkered Flag Foundation, which is to support military personnel, veterans, first-responders and others who were wounded in combat or in the line of duty. The program hosted its first event, the Wounded Warrior Day, at MIS in August of 2010 and followed up with similar events later in the season.

Keselowski was also honored at the State Capitol with a legislative proclamation on the Senate floor from 12th District Michigan Senator Jim Marleau of Lake Orion, which represents Keselowski’s native Rochester Hills, a suburb of Detroit. Keselowski received the honor for winning his first Nationwide Series championship and giving back to his local Michigan community.

“Brad is very deserving of this honor,” Curtis said. “He has become a very successful driver in NASCAR and has done a lot for his home state and given back in so many ways. It was nice to see our state government honor him today for those efforts and achievements.”

Nestled in the lush Irish Hills of Southeastern Michigan, Michigan International Speedway is the Great Escape, a venerable NASCAR national park where fans can get away and enjoy the very best in racing and camaraderie. It’s the love of racing and the thrill of a great time for race fans and drivers alike.

MIS’ Value Pricing ends on February 28. NASCAR Sprint Cup Series tickets for the Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips 400 on June 19 and NSCS 400 on August 21 are as low as $25. Visit MISpeedway.com or call the MIS ticket hotline at 800-354-1010 today to take advantage of great pricing for 2011 events at MIS.