By Staff
BROOKLYN – Another historical day occurred at Michigan International Speedway on Thursday as the original infield scoreboard located next to the Infield Care Center was torn down. The scoreboard had been a staple on the MIS grounds for nearly 40 years.
With a new 110-foot, state-of-the-art LED scoreboard recently installed, it was time for the old scoreboard, which featured only the top five positions in the race, to come down.
Crews from Don Bell Signs, as well as MIS maintenance staff, oversaw the demolition of the historical piece.
The "Position 1" part of the sign, along with the "Michigan International Speedway" top portion of the old scoreboard will be kept as historical MIS pieces.
"It was a really old scoreboard that has been around for 40 years," MIS President Roger Curtis said. "Although it was the end of an era for the old scoreboard, it is the beginning of a new one with the new LED scoreboard, which is the first of its kind in motorsports anywhere in the world. We're very excited about the potential of this board and what it will be able to do on a race weekend."
The new scoreboard will be tested in conjunction with next week's ARCA RE/MAX Series test session, scheduled for May 28. The new board will feature technology that is the first of its kind in motorsports and be ready for the LifeLock 400 race weekend on June 13-15.
For its 40th anniversary in 2008, MIS is hosting the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series LifeLock 400 on June 15 and the 3M Performance 400 on Aug. 17. Other events include the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Cool City Customs 200 on June 14, the NASCAR Nationwide Series CARFAX 250 Aug. 16 and the ARCA RE/MAX Series Michigan 200 June 13.
Tickets are available for all events, including qualifying days. To order tickets, pit passes, camping or hospitality packages, call the MIS Ticket Hotline at 800-354-1010 or visit MISpeedway.com.