WELCOME TO MICHIGAN INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY
MICHIGAN 101
FIRST-TIME FAN INFORMATION
Thinking about a NASCAR race at Michigan International Speedway? You’re about to experience NASCAR at one of the fastest and most exciting tracks on the schedule. You don’t need to be an expert to have a great time at MIS. From the moment the engines fire and the cars fan out across the sweeping two-mile oval, you’ll feel the speed, the sound, and the energy that makes the race weekend unforgettable.
Whether you’re just browsing, getting ready to buy tickets, or already planning your trip, this guide walks you through what race weekend is really like in the Irish Hills of Michigan.
HOW TO SELECT YOUR SEAT:
- STEP 1: Select the Section
- Each section offers a different view of the racing action.
- STEP 2: Select the Row
- Lower rows offer fewer steps and are closer to the cars on the track, while higher rows offer full track views, but require more stairs.
Turn 1 Section 57-69 Turn 1 Section 43-57 Center Sections 21-41 – Pit Out Center Sections 1-19 – Start/Finish Center Sections 20-38 – Pit In Center Sections 40-56 – Turn 4
• Dedicated entry
• Dedicated Concessions
• Great view of cars coming out of pit road
• Equipped with countertops for food and beverages
• Lower row platform for guests in wheelchairs and their companion
- For easier entry, please download your tickets to your Wallet from the NASCAR Tracks App
- A step-by-step guide can be found on our Tickets Delivery page.
- Comfortable walking shoes – the Speedway is on a 1400+ acre property, be prepared to walk!
- Sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses
- Light jacket or poncho, just in case
- Hearing protection (scanners do not replace ear protection) – the roar of the engines is loud!
- o Bring your own cooler! One soft-sided cooler (maximum size of 14"x14"x14" - may contain ice) per person is allowed. You’re able to bring your own snacks, soft drinks and adult beverages along as there is no glass. Be sure to pack some water to stay hydrated all day.
- Concession stands are available throughout the facility. They offer classic race-day favorites like burgers, hot dogs, pizza and cold drinks if you’d rather buy on site.
- You can find MIS, your favorite driver, and general NASCAR merchandise in the Fan Zone, at the base of the grandstands, and throughout the infield, making it easy to take home a memorable piece of your race weekend at MIS.
⭐️All retail, food, and beverage locations are cashless!
Once you purchase tickets, you’ll receive email updates leading up to race weekend with helpful Know Before You Go information, including:
- Parking updates and recommended traffic routes
- Arrival tips and gate information
- Weather reminders and weekend highlights
These updates are designed to make race day smoother so you can arrive confident and prepared.
Arrive early! It’s part of the fun.
⭐️Decide where you want to park before arrival.
- Parking on the property is FREE.
- Feel free to tailgate when you arrive, there’s plenty of space to grill, relax, and hang out.
- ADA parking is available in all lots, you just need to have a plate or placard.
- Limited transportation is available; At peak times, this is limited to ADA guests.
- Once you know your ticket section, you can use our color-coded map to find the recommended parking and gates to use for your section. VIEW MAP
- We have a tram service around the property. Our tram maps will show you the routes and drop-off points. VIEW TRAMS
⭐️Check out our maps! If you need help getting around our property, use our Maps as a resource! Download the NASCAR Track App and there’s an interactive map.
You parked your car - now what? Drop a pin on your phone or take a photo, then head to the fun!
Arrive a couple of hours early to kick off your day with the Fan Zone. Before you enter our ticket gates, our Fan Zone is filled with vendors, merchandise haulers, and entertainment.
Fan Zone Highlights:
- Driver appearances and interactive displays.
- Games, activities, and photo opportunities.
- Merchandise trailers and food options.
- Check out the LEGO CITY NASCAR Kids Zone for the young race fans.
- Stop out to the NASCAR Experience in the Fan Zone where you’ll find a Guest Services booth and a ticket renewal location.
Need more help or info?
- Property maps and schedules are posted around property.
- Information tents are located around the property.
⭐️Check your emails, our socials, and signage around the property to know all schedules, appearances, and any fun happenings!
Find your seat! Easier said than done.
- Use this MAP to find the recommended ticket gate for your section.
- Navigate through the concourse. Once you’ve entered through the correct gate, follow the overhead signs to your section number.
⭐️If you’re unfamiliar, ask event staff! They are there to help you.
You can secure your spot for 2027 by renewing your tickets, camping and fan experiences. Pay attention to emails with details on how to renew!
⭐️Stop by the NASCAR Experience in the Fan Zone to renew at the Fan Services booth!
Bringing the family? You’re in the right place. Michigan International Speedway is a family-friendly environment, and fans attend with kids of all ages. For many families, a first race at MIS becomes a lasting tradition, and it’s easier on the budget than many expect.
Why Families Find MIS Affordable
- Free general parking
- Kids tickets are a great deal at Michigan International Speedway! Friday and Saturday children 12 and under are FREE and on Sunday, kids tickets start at $10 (Ticket Required). Learn more about youth tickets.
- Cooler-friendly policy allows families to bring their own food and drinks (maximum size of 14"x14"x14" - may contain ice).
What Families Appreciate
- Kids love the colors, noise, and excitement
- Interactive activities in the Fan Zone and LEGO CITY NASCAR Kids Zone for the young race fans
- Friendly fans who are happy to help explain the sport
- Mother's Room available for nursing mothers
Family Seating Tip
For families, we recommend choosing seats that are not too low and not too high in the grandstands. Mid-level seating offers a great balance of:
- Clear sightlines
- Easier stair access
- Less intense engine noise than the lowest rows
Comfort & Safety
- Family restrooms and accessible facilities throughout the property
- Strollers welcome in most areas (grandstand storage is limited)
- Guest Services staff available throughout the day
Sun & Noise Awareness
- Hearing protection is strongly recommended for children
- Sunscreen, hats, and hydration are important
Racing Electronics
Fans can rent Racing Electronics scanners in advance to hear the race from the inside.
- Listen to drivers talking with their crews in real time
- Hear strategy calls, pit decisions, and reactions as the race unfolds
- Tune into the broadcast, officials, or multiple drivers
It’s one of the best ways to understand why things are happening, not just what is happening. Driver radio is unfiltered and not always kid-friendly, but for adults and older kids it puts you right in the center of the strategy, emotion, and intensity of race day.
Purchase your scanners prior to race day HERE
Premium Clubs
Rev up your race day with our fan hospitality! There are two clubs you can check out to elevate your race day.
- Awesome track views
- Premium outdoor seating
- Access to an air-conditioned lounge with limited open seating
- Sunday Pre-Race Pass
- Premium seating located in the Pit Road Suites directly above pit road
- Roof-top viewing deck with pit road views
- Sunday Pre-Race Pass
- Upscale food and drinks
- An exclusive indoor lounge just steps away from the action
Sunday Pre-Race Pass
Purchase a Sunday-Pre Race Pass and access the infield for pre-race ceremonies! It’s an additional cost to get closer to the action before the main event starts.
- NASCAR Cup Series Driver Introductions – Watch drivers walk the stage and be announced before the race.
- Sign the start/finish line – Fans with access can walk out to the start/finish line on the track and sign it.
- Get closer to pit road and the line up of cars prior to the start of the race!
Make it a weekend at Michigan International Speedway. MIS has 11 campgrounds to choose from. Camping starts Monday of race week and becomes your home away from home for the weekend! There is camping for everyone – premium, party, and family camping options.
Explore Michigan's camping options!
MIS delivers big-time racing with a relaxed, welcoming vibe, and it’s designed to be fan-friendly.
What makes it special:
- NASCAR’s fastest track with wide-open, high-speed racing
- Beautiful scenery in the Irish Hills of Michigan
- A laid-back Midwestern atmosphere
- A passionate, friendly fan community
- Experiences for everyone
- Free general parking, flexible food options, and youth ticket pricing that help keep costs down
It’s thrilling without being intimidating, and first-time fans fit right in.
Short answer: energetic, flexible, and fun.
A race day at MIS starts well before the green flag and doesn’t stop until the final lap. You can explore, relax, dive into the action, or take breaks whenever you want. There’s no “wrong” way to experience it.
⭐️Before the race – be sure to enjoy some Fan Zone fun! This area is filled with vendors, merchandise haulers, and entertainment. Arrive a couple of hours early to kick off your day before you enter the gates!
In the Fan Zone:
- Driver appearances and interactive displays
- Games, activities, and photo opportunities
- Merchandise trailers and food options
- Check out the LEGO CITY NASCAR Kids Zone for the young race fans
It’s a great place to learn the basics and soak in the excitement, especially for first-time fans and families.
Off to the race! Find your seat prior to the green flag. In the infield, they will announce drivers and sing the national anthem before drivers get the go-ahead to start their engines. Watch the announcements from your seat, then shortly after the green flag will signal the start of the race.
NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing) is a type of car racing that is very popular in the United States.
Here’s a simple way to understand it:
- Drivers race powerful cars with 650+ horsepower
- Michigan's race happens on a 2-mile oval track.
- The turns at Michigan are 18 degrees of banking and 73 feet wide!
- Cars can go over 200 mph - top record at 212 mph
- Races are usually 400 to 500 miles.
- There are many cars (often around 40) racing at the same time.
Flag Meanings:
🟢 Green Flag (Racing Starts)
When the starter waves the green flag, the race begins (or restarts).
- Drivers go full speed.
- They fight for position.
- Passing, drafting (following closely behind another car to go faster), and strategy all happen here.
🟡 Yellow Flag (Caution)
If there’s a crash, debris on the track, or bad weather, officials wave the yellow flag (called a caution).
- Everyone must slow down and no passing allowed.
- A pace car comes out and leads the field.
- Drivers often use this time to pit for fuel, tires, or repairs.
- This bunches all the cars back together, which makes restarts exciting.
🔴 Red Flag
If the track is blocked or conditions are unsafe, officials throw a red flag.
- Cars must stop on the track.
- The race is paused completely.
Other Important Racing Details:
- Stages: Races are split into 3 segments called stages. Each stage ends with a caution and bonus points.
- Restarts: When a caution ends, drivers line up side-by-side. When the green flag waves again, everyone accelerates hard, this is one of the most intense moments of the race – all the fans will stand up during this!
- Drafting: On larger tracks, cars line up close together to reduce air resistance and go faster.
- Pit Stops: Teams change tires, add fuel, and make adjustments in seconds. A slow pit stop can cost a driver several positions.
So overall, a NASCAR race is a cycle of:
High-speed racing → possible crash → caution → restart → repeat → final sprint to the finish.
At first glance, NASCAR can look fast and chaotic, but there’s an easy way to understand what’s really happening.
⭐️Fans can rent Racing Electronics scanners in advance to hear the race from the inside.
- Listen to drivers talking with their crews in real time
- Hear strategy calls, pit decisions, and reactions as the race unfolds
- Tune into the broadcast, officials, or multiple drivers
It’s one of the best ways to understand why things are happening, not just what is happening. Driver radio is unfiltered and not always kid-friendly, but for adults and older kids it puts you right in the center of the strategy, emotion, and intensity of race day.
Purchase your scanners prior to race day HERE.
EXPLORER MAP
Navigate Michigan International Speedway like a pro. The interactive Speedway Explorer Map gives you a real-time, 360-degree look at the entire facility so you can find your seats, locate parking, scout restrooms and concessions, and plan your route before race day.