No butts about it at MIS track

BROOKLYN, Mich. - When Michigan International Speedway opens its gates for the stock-car racing season in June, the only smoke encountered in the grandstand area should be that from the race winner spinning his tires in celebration.

The track will go smoke-free this year in all of its grandstands, mezzanines, concession areas, restroom buildings, suites and chalets. The ban seems consistent with a state-wide measure barring smoking in public places that takes effect in Michigan May 1.

MIS president Roger Curtis said the move was not simply done in response to the new legislation, and that accommodations have been made for fans who are smokers.

"We are addressing a growing number of concerns from our race fans who do not smoke," Curtis said. "Race fans who smoke, can still do so in approved areas. We appreciate all our fans for their understanding and patience."

Curtis indicated that smoking would be permitted in the open-air areas behind the grandstands, in the New Holland Fan Plaza on the Brooklyn Highway side of the track, and in the surrounding campgrounds. The smoke-free policy also applies in the Champions Club, its outside seating areas, and adjacent patios.

MIS will post signs throughout the track property to remind fans of the new regulations and the designated nonsmoking and smoking areas. Track officials said that anyone on the grounds who does not follow the new smoke-free policy would be subject to the customary fines levied for such offenses, and that state and county enforcement officials would be on site during race weekends to address that issue.

Curtis said MIS and the fans attending the races here would play a role in seeing to it that the new smoke-free policy is respected.

"MIS ushers and security will monitor the grandstand seats, and we fully expect our fans to police each other," Curtis said. "We will have a number of avenues in place for fans to notify us, including our text messaging service, as well as notifying security, if someone around them is smoking in the grandstands or suites."

MIS is in the Irish Hills area, about an hour northwest of Toledo.

The track has two weekends of stock car racing on its 2010 schedule.

The June race weekend has the ARCA Racing Series presented by RE/MAX and Menards opening things on June 11, followed by the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race June 12, and the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event June 13.

The August race weekend opens with Gatorade Pole Day Aug. 13, followed by the NASCAR Nationwide Series race Aug. 14, and a second stop here for the Sprint Cup Series Aug. 15.

Contact Matt Markey at:

mmarkey@theblade.com

or 419-724-6510.

42.11068 -84.24795

Curtis THE BLADE/ANDY MORRISON Enlarge | Photo Reprints

When Michigan International Speedway opens its gates for the stock-car racing season in June, the only smoke encountered in the grandstand area should be that from the race winner spinning his tires in celebration.