Flagging economy keeps MIS fans at home

UPDATE Everyone knew there would be some empty seats at Michigan International Speedway on Sunday. No one knew exactly how many there would be.

There were a lot.

Crowd numbers are not released by speedway officials, but media estimates put the crowd at about 125,000 — 35,000 under what is considered to be a capacity crowd at the track.

Seating capacity is 132,000, but that doesn't count the infield fans, competitors, crew members, officials and volunteers that contribute on race day.

The main grandstand on the front stretch was full Sunday, but the smaller grandstands between Turns 1 and 2 had thousands of empty spots. The grandstands between Turns 3 and 4 were only partially filled.

The smaller crowd is likely the effect of a poor Michigan economy and high gas prices.

MIS president Roger Curtis was happy with the turnout.

"I was very pleased with the attendance," Curtis said. "The fans' enthusiasm was tremendous."

Curtis said he expects the attendance to be higher when the series returns in August for the Citizens Bank 400.

06/11/08 In August 2005, the stands were packed and the infield full at Michigan International Speedway, marking the track's 30th consecutive sellout.

Since then, attendance has dipped slightly, but in a crowd of more than 130,000 it can be hard to notice.

What's easier to visualize are the 91,000 fewer workers in Michigan since that August race — enough to almost fill the red and yellow grandstands.

As Michigan's economic downturn and mounting job losses worsen, more residents are choosing to stay home on race day.

And it's why MIS President Roger Curtis said he believes there won't be a sellout for Sunday's LifeLock 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race, and ticket sales will be "a fair amount lower" than last year's June race. Mlive.com