DETROIT GP - Detroit Preview

2018 Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear Fast Facts

WHAT:
The Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear returns to the Motor City June 1-3, 2018. The event will feature the cars of the Verizon IndyCar Series, the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, the high-flying trucks of the SPEED Energy Stadium SUPER Trucks and the Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli. The weekend collectively is referred to as the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear and it will feature the Chevrolet Dual in Detroit IndyCar doubleheader.

WHEN: 
Friday-Sunday - June 1-3, 2018

WHERE:
The Raceway at Belle Isle Park street circuit

TRACK LENGTH: 
2.3 miles

RACE HISTORY:
The first Detroit Grand Prix was in 1982 and it started as a Formula One race through the streets of downtown Detroit before becoming a CART-sanctioned race in 1989. The race moved to Belle Isle in 1992 continuing under the CART/Champ Car banner until 2001. After the success of the Super Bowl in Detroit in 2006, Roger Penske and the Downtown Detroit Partnership (DDP) teamed up to bring an annual national sporting event to the city of Detroit and spearheaded the return of the Grand Prix in 2007 on Belle Isle. After challenging economic times delayed the event after the 2008 season, the Grand Prix returned in 2012 with the current promotional group as a subsidiary of the DDP.

DEFENDING CHAMPIONS:
Graham Rahal of Rahal Letterman Lanigan (RLL) Racing became the first driver to sweep both Verizon IndyCar Series races in the 2017 Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear. Teammates Ricky and Jordan Taylor from Wayne Taylor Racing (WTR) won the Chevrolet Sports Car Classic IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship race last season, in the first year of the Cadillac DPi cars on Belle Isle. The win was the fifth consecutive win for the Taylor's to start the 2017 season. While Jordan continues to compete for WTR, Ricky Taylor is now racing for Acura Team Penske in 2018.

INDYCAR BROADCAST COVERAGE (Subject to change):
Saturday, June 2, 2018 Chevrolet Dual in Detroit Dual #1 (Verizon IndyCar Series)
Live national television coverage: ABC (3:30 pm ET) 
Live Local television coverage: WXYZ
Live Local radio coverage: 910 AM Superstation 

Sunday, June 3, 2018 Chevrolet Dual in Detroit Dual #2 (Verizon IndyCar Series)
Live national television coverage: ABC (3:30 pm ET)
Live local television coverage: WXYZ
Live Local radio coverage: 910 AM Superstation

IMSA BROADCAST COVERAGE (Subject to change):
Saturday, June 2, 2018 Chevrolet Sports Car Classic (IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship)
Live National television coverage: FOX Sports 2 (FS2 (12:30 pm ET) 

SPEED Energy Stadium SUPER Trucks (Subject to change):
Saturday, June 2 
Race live streamed on the Stadium SUPER Trucks Facebook page
Sunday, June 3
Race live streamed on the Stadium SUPER Trucks Facebook page
Tape Delayed on CBS Sports Network: Wednesday, July 11, 2018 at 10 PM ET

TRANS AM SERIES PRESENTED BY PIRELLI (Subject to change):
Sunday, June 3 Muscle Car Challenge (Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli)
Live streamed on Motor Trend OnDemand
Tape Delayed on CBS Sports Network: Sunday, June 17, 2018 at 1:00 PM and 5:00 PM

FAN ACTIVITIES:
The Grand Prix features a number of exciting engagement activities in the Meijer Fan Zone.  The 96-3 WDVD/ NASH FM 93-1 Entertainment Stage will feature live music all weekend, headlined by pop duo A Great Big World on Saturday, June 2, and Country music star David Nail on Sunday, June 3.  Fans can get a bite to eat or something to drink in the Bud Light Beer Garden and Food Court, featuring the Taste of Detroit with local vendor trucks and more. The popular Detroit Sports District returns featuring interactive displays from Detroit professional sports teams with appearances from former and current local sports athletes. The Meijer Fan Zone also features the Party Pit with tailgating games like Bubble Soccer and giant Jenga, an arts and crafts show and much more. 

TICKETS:
Fans can visit DetroitGP.com/Tickets or call 866-464-7749 (PRIX) to purchase tickets. Tickets start as low as $40 and ticket sales are charting 15% ahead of last year’s sales through the beginning of race week.

BELLE ISLE IMPROVEMENTS:
Since the Grand Prix returned to Belle Isle in 2007, event organizers and contributing partners have made over $13 million in lasting improvements to Belle Isle, The improvements include:
• Repairing damaged lighting and drainage systems
• Renovation of Scott Fountain, the Belle Isle Casino and the Belle Isle Boat Club
• Installing new pedestrian bridges and playscapes
• Working with Platinum Equity to install new LED lights on MacArthur Bridge and around the Scott Fountain
• New areas also to be used by park visitors for parking and community events and activities year round
• Creating pedestrian walkways and new bicycle paths on Belle Isle

COMMUNITY IMPACT: 
The Grand Prix has generated over $45 million in total spending annually for the Metro Detroit region.  An independent study concluded the Grand Prix created an estimated $58 million in total spending for the Metro Detroit region in 2017. Over 95,000 people attended the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear events in 2007, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016 and 2017.

PARTNERS:
The Grand Prix features support from 75 local and national partners in 2018. The total includes 11 new partners for this year and 26 sponsors that have been part of the race since the event returned in 2012.

SOCIAL MEDIA:
Visit the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/DetroitGP
Follow the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/DetroitGP
Follow the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear on Instagram at www.Instagram.com/DetroitGP

WEB SITE:

For complete information on the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear, visit www.DetroitGP.com.

Tom Beeler

Tom has been a contributor to RIS since 1992. He was invited to join the staff as a full-time reporter/editor in 1995, and has covered IndyCar, Formula 1, NASCAR, Grand-Am, ALMS and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. In addition to his RIS work, Tom has been a contributor for General Motors, Nissan, Toyota and the ACO.

Read More on Indy Car press releases
Volume 2018, Issue 5, Posted 2:22 PM, 05.28.2018