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A NASCAR BLOG BY Art Weinstein
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No MIStake on traffic now
Aug
20
Having been to Michigan International Speedway nine times in the past 10 years, I can say this without hesitation: Traffic there is no longer a problem.
For many years, the traffic at MIS was a disaster, probably the worst on the entire NASCAR circuit. Worse yet, no one at the speedway seemed to care.
I covered a race there in 2001, left about five hours after the race, and was absolutely assured by track personnel that I could turn left out of an exit. When I got to the exit, the road to the left was totally clear of cars, but a police officer angrily gestured and made me turn right. I then sat in a traffic jam that barely moved for more than an hour, within sight of the speedway. Again, that was going in the direction I didn’t want to go, five hours after the race.
The same thing happened to two friends of mine that same race. Once regulars at MIS events, they vowed never to return to MIS. They’ve kept that promise.
That’s the problem for MIS officials. They have worked diligently to develop a new traffic plan and have gotten the Michigan DOT to make much-needed road improvements. Traffic is greatly improved, but some fans are reluctant to return.
New speedway President Roger Curtis quickly realized traffic was turning away longtime MIS fans by the thousands, and officials are trying to send the message that traffic is better. They issued a news release reporting that parking lots were “moving freely less than two hours” after the race.
“I ran into many people throughout the weekend who specifically said they stopped coming to Michigan International Speedway because of traffic,” Curtis said. “But they decided to give us another chance because they heard it was better, and I am proud and excited to say that it is.”
The ultimate test for me came after the race Sunday. I left exactly three hours after the race and had to turn right out the main entrance, taking U.S. 12 West to U.S. 127 North. I planned to sit in traffic for at least an hour, maybe much longer, just getting away from the speedway.
In three minutes, I was out the main entrance. Two hours later, I was 120 miles away (following the speed limit).
I was incredibly pleased and thought it worth sharing the news. See you next year at MIS.
For many years, the traffic at MIS was a disaster, probably the worst on the entire NASCAR circuit. Worse yet, no one at the speedway seemed to care.
I covered a race there in 2001, left about five hours after the race, and was absolutely assured by track personnel that I could turn left out of an exit. When I got to the exit, the road to the left was totally clear of cars, but a police officer angrily gestured and made me turn right. I then sat in a traffic jam that barely moved for more than an hour, within sight of the speedway. Again, that was going in the direction I didn’t want to go, five hours after the race.
The same thing happened to two friends of mine that same race. Once regulars at MIS events, they vowed never to return to MIS. They’ve kept that promise.
That’s the problem for MIS officials. They have worked diligently to develop a new traffic plan and have gotten the Michigan DOT to make much-needed road improvements. Traffic is greatly improved, but some fans are reluctant to return.
New speedway President Roger Curtis quickly realized traffic was turning away longtime MIS fans by the thousands, and officials are trying to send the message that traffic is better. They issued a news release reporting that parking lots were “moving freely less than two hours” after the race.
“I ran into many people throughout the weekend who specifically said they stopped coming to Michigan International Speedway because of traffic,” Curtis said. “But they decided to give us another chance because they heard it was better, and I am proud and excited to say that it is.”
The ultimate test for me came after the race Sunday. I left exactly three hours after the race and had to turn right out the main entrance, taking U.S. 12 West to U.S. 127 North. I planned to sit in traffic for at least an hour, maybe much longer, just getting away from the speedway.
In three minutes, I was out the main entrance. Two hours later, I was 120 miles away (following the speed limit).
I was incredibly pleased and thought it worth sharing the news. See you next year at MIS.
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Comments
4 responses to "No MIStake on traffic now "
Chazzo Ozzahc said:
Aug 20, 2008 at 10:45 AMSTAY THE NIGHT AND LEAVE MONDAY MORNING.TURN LEFT.GO HOME.
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» Confirm Abuse ReportDerek Sleeper said:
Aug 20, 2008 at 10:55 AMMaybe I'll try again - after 10 years of season tickets (great way to spend Father's Day) I haven't been back in three years.
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» Confirm Abuse ReportDon Aitchison said:
Aug 21, 2008 at 12:42 PMSunday is fixed but Monday is now the disaster. We camp for the races and were hooked up and headed out at 8:45 a.m. An hour to make that turn onto US 12 and then a snail's crawl all the way to US 23.
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» Confirm Abuse ReportRobert Wilton said:
Aug 21, 2008 at 1:25 PMBuy a gazzetter and take the back roads. US 12 to 23 is a poor choice.
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