Post-race notes from Michigan

– Last year, neither of the Michigan NASCAR races sold out, the first time in some 18 years. This year, despite 5,000 seats having been removed, hundreds of empty seats were very visible at Michigan, probably for the first time in 20 years for a NASCAR event. In addition, at least one VIP suite as well as one corporate suite went for trade-out to a local radio station. In fact, the MIS PR department sent out an email to members of the press, asking them to push ticket sales for this race. This is in spite of a concerted marketing effort to sell MIS tickets over the past 2 months.

Perhaps part of the reason for the MIS ticket situation is the high cost in a state with a weak economy. For instance, the premium RV infield camping spots at MIS , where the 5,000 seats were removed over the winter, cost $3,000 for the weekend, plus $300 per person if you have more than 3 people camping with you. The cheapest seats, in turn 3 (almost a mile away from the start-finish line), go for $55 per person, and hundreds went unsold today.

– It is an tradition that selected cars are tested on a chassis dyno after a NASCAR race at Michigan. Michigan is as tough as any track on engines, with peak horsepower being needed for long periods of time, with few caution laps, so everyone runs their strongest motors. When asked what NASCAR would find, a Toyota team member remarked, "That we're all pretty much equal."

– The average track width at Indy is 46 feet, sometimes as wide as 60 feet. At 52 feet wide, the pit road at MIS is wider than most of the racing surface at Indy.

– Kidding or not? Radio chatter from drivers still indicate that drivers want to "mess" with Juan Pablo Montoya, making comments about needing to bump him a little before they come into the pits. It seems as though some drivers think that JPM's press is much better than his ability. One can only imagine if he was driving a Toyota… perhaps he should borrow his team mate's "Target" logo for the back his car?

– Trouble ahead? While not going into detail, a Team Red Bull member indicated that they might be facing troubles in the future. He didn't specify the kind of problems, but did question the continued presence of the team. Tim Wohlford reporting for AutoRacing1.com