BROOKLYN — With the new NASCAR Nationwide Series car making its debut at Michigan International Speedway next weekend, the speedway has decided to open the race track to the public for the new car’s practice sessions on Thursday, Aug. 12. Best of all, it’s free!

The practice sessions will be held from 9 a.m. until noon and 1 to 4 p.m. The sessions will test the cars in preparation for the Nationwide Series CARFAX 250 race on Saturday, August 14 at MIS.

Fans will be able to view the new car practicing from the Turn 1 grandstands located next to the speedway’s Administration Building. Parking for the practice will be in Lot 10 and accessible off the US-12 entrance to the track. All fans must enter the grandstands through Gate 17 near the water tower. Gate 17 will open at 9 a.m. Trams will be operational during the practice for guests who are camping on speedway property that day. Trams stops will be located outside of Turn 2, Turns 3-4.

The new Nationwide Series car is making four stops on the circuit in 2010 with MIS being the second race. The car previously raced at Daytona in July and will also be at Richmond in September and Charlotte in October.

“We are fortunate to be only one of four tracks to host this new Nationwide Series car in 2010,” MIS President Roger Curtis said. “To have the opportunity to open up the track on Thursday and give the fans the chance to watch the cars on track for free is something we are happy to do.”

The car, which has received much praise for its similarities to the street model version of the same vehicle, will be driven by driver’s such as Danica Patrick, Brad Keselowski and Justin Allgaier. The car will run the full Nationwide Series schedule beginning in 2011.

Additionally, the speedway’s non-profit arm, MIS Cares, is again partnering with Two Men and a Truck for a special food and toy drive during the day long practice.

Any fan who donates a grocery bag of non-perishable food or unwrapped toy items when they arrive will receive two tickets to Friday’s Meijer Pole Day.

All donations will be collected at the gate 17 entrance. Two Men and a Truck will deliver all the items to the St. Mary’s Church in Adrian, Mich. following the race weekend.

Tickets for the NASCAR Nationwide Series CARFAX 250 are $40 for adults with kids 12 and under free.

Visit MISpeedway.com or call the MIS ticket hotline at (800) 354-1010 today to take advantage of great pricing for 2010 events at MIS.

Michigan International

Speedway 2010 Schedule

Friday, Aug. 13

Meijer Pole Day

Saturday, Aug. 14

NASCAR Nationwide Series CARFAX 250

Sunday, Aug. 15

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series CARFAX 400