Norton Michigan 500
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| Venue | Michigan International Speedway |
|---|---|
| Corporate sponsor | Firestone |
| First race | 1968 |
| First ICS race | 2002 |
| Last race | 2007 |
| Distance | 400 miles (644 km) |
| Laps | 200 |
| Previous names | Norton Michigan 500 (1981-1983), Michigan 500 (1984-1986), Marlboro 500 (1987-1996), U.S. 500 presented by Toyota (1997-1999), Michigan 500 presented by Toyota (2000), Harrah's 500 presented by Toyota (2001), Michigan Indy 400 (2002, 2004-2005), Firestone Indy 400 (2003, 2006-2007) |
The Firestone Indy 400 was an IndyCar Series race held at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Michigan. The event was most recently held in 2007. From 1981 to 2001, the event was better-known as the Michigan 500, and was held in high prestige. During its heyday of the 1980s, the race was part of Indy car racing's 500-mile "Triple Crown".
Between 1968 and 2007, Michigan International Speedway hosted a total of 55 Indy car races, including twenty-two 500-mile events. In several seasons, the facility hosted two separate races annually. The races at Michigan became notorious for high speed, being rough on equipment, high attrition, and for devastating crashes. The 1990 race, won by Al Unser, Jr. (189.727 mph) was the fastest 500-mile race in history at the time, a record that stood until 2002.
Two drivers (Michael Andretti and Scott Goodyear) won the Michigan 500 twice, while Tony Kanaan won a 500-mile race and a 400-mile race, respectively. In addition, the track has produced many surprise winners, owing much to the frequently high attrition. Twelve drivers have scored their first - and in some cases only - Indy car race win at Michigan.
In 1968, American open wheel racing debuted at the circuit with a 200-mile (320 km) USAC Champ Car event. In 1970, USAC returned with what would become a traditional July race date. Indy car owner and promoter Roger Penske purchased the track in 1972, and it became a mainstay on the calendar.
In 1973, a second USAC race was added to the Champ Car schedule, a fall race usually held in September. Through 1980, all events were either 200 or 250 miles in length, with some events consisting of twin 125-mile races.
In 1979, both 150-mile Michigan races switched to CART sanctioning.
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