Newman joins The Conservation Fund at MIS

Published 3:10 am Friday, May 30, 2008

By Staff
BROOKLYN – Further strengthening its commitment to preserving the environment and its natural resources, Michigan International Speedway will proudly host the Racing For Wildlife 200 ARCA RE/MAX Series event for the next three years, track officials announced today.
The race entitlement is a joint venture with The Conservation Fund and the Ryan Newman Foundation, which formed Racing for Wildlife in 2007.
That partnership is a first-of-its-kind initiative that invites sports fans, race sponsors and other conservation-minded individuals to join NASCAR driver Newman and The Conservation Fund to save America's scenic lands.
The Racing for Wildlife 200 at MIS is set for Friday, June 13.
With support from MIS, Racing for Wildlife in 2007 launched an effort with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to restore Mill Lake Youth Camp. The historic camp, built in the 1930s, is approximately 30 miles north of MIS in the 20,000-acre Waterloo Recreation Area.
The camp is located on a scenic lake that offers excellent recreation and fishing.
This restoration project will reopen the camp to families as a year-round facility that can accommodate more than 140 people. When complete, the project will help preserve a part of Michigan's great outdoors and educate children about the importance of taking care of our state's land and waterways.
"I am very appreciative of Michigan International Speedway's dedication to Racing for Wildlife and the Racing for Wildlife 200," Newman said. "The restoration of Mill Lake Youth Camp will preserve a peaceful and beautiful place that I would be proud to be able to share with other families. My love of fishing and the outdoors was cultivated by my family when I was growing up so it's important to keep traditions like that alive for the future."
Newman is excited about the partnership with The Conservation Fund on the Racing for Wildlife initiative because it enables the Ryan Newman Foundation to take their conservation efforts to the next level.
Newman and wife Krissie, established the Ryan Newman Foundation in January 2005.
Curtis has made conservation one of his priorities since taking over at MIS two years ago. A father of three, the Indiana native and his family enjoy outdoors activities.
"We're thrilled to partner with Racing for Wildlife to host the Racing for Wildlife 200," Curtis said. "The race fans at Michigan International Speedway are true extensions of this facility; they're not just consumers – they make MIS what it is. Racing for Wildlife understands the love of the outdoors for many of our fans. Ryan and his wife, Krissie, also share that love for the outdoors and truly want to preserve it with the help of The Conservation Fund and the Department of Natural Resources."
Tickets to the Racing for Wildlife 200 are on sale by calling the speedway's Ticket Hotline at 800-354-1010 or logging onto MISpeedway.com.
Other events during the June 13-15 weekend include the Racing for Wildlife ARCA RE/MAX Series 200-mile race on June 13 and the Cool City Customs 200 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race on June 14.
The season concludes Aug. 15-17 for the CARFAX 250 NASCAR Nationwide Series event and the 3M Performance 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race.