Tailgating: Michigan

The birthplace of the automobile is the apt host for NASCAR races. Michigan International Speedway is actually located in Brooklyn, Mich., -- 67 miles southwest of Detroit -- in the beautiful Irish Hills.

Getting there

MIS sits on U.S. Highway 12 in Brooklyn, one mile west of M-50. The track is:

• 18 miles southeast of Jackson, Michigan
• 38 miles from U.S. 23 and I-94
• 55 miles from I-96 Interchange at Lansing, Michigan
• 58 miles from I-75 Interchange at Toledo, Ohio
• 67 miles southwest of Detroit, Michigan

Review the speedway's inbound and outbound maps before you head out. Plan a route that puts you in a parking lot as close to your seat as possible and where you can leave with the least amount of hassle.

Parking and camping

Speedway Parking: Day parking on MIS property is free of charge. Overnight parking in these lots is not permitted.

Speedway camping: Call 1-800-354-1010 for reservations and availability. There are six campgrounds. All campgrounds include: Showers, portable restrooms, dump station and fresh water.

Private camping and parking: I found five private campgrounds within about half a mile from the ticket office. They are located all around the track (M-50 and Hwy 12), so find one that is most convenient for your seats.

What to bring

Each fan is permitted to bring into the grandstands:

• One soft-sided bag/cooler, no larger than 6 x 6 x 12 inches. Examples include soft-sided cooler (may contain removable plastic liner), scanner bag, fanny pack, purse, binocular bag, etc. This one bag may be carried in any manner, (i.e. by handle, with shoulder straps, on a belt, etc.). The soft-sided cooler may contain ice and/or freezer packs.

• One clear plastic bag, no larger than 18 x 18 x 4 inches. Clear plastic bags may not contain ice or freezer packs.

• Binoculars, scanners, headsets, cameras (not in a bag) worn separately over the neck or on the belt are also allowed. Standard seat cushions and stadium seats carried separately are also allowed and will be reviewed on an individual basis.