It’s easy to spot newbies in the Michigan International Speedway infield – they have a yellow sash of sorts, which is really just caution tape tied in a circle.
The “rookie stripe” mimics an on-track ritual, as NASCAR requires rookies to have a yellow stripe on their rear bumper.
Perhaps the oldest fan to wear the rookie stripe this weekend is Ernie Smith, age 73. The trip is a Father’s Day and birthday gift from his son.
“It’s my first time. It’s just awesome. There’s more here than I could ever expect.” Smith said. “We’re already planning next year.”
On the other end of the spectrum is Mike Williams. His first MIS race was in 1974 – he was 14, came to that race with his dad and watched his “hero” Richard Petty win. Now, Williams comes with his wife and their longtime MIS friends.
The MIS infield has a bit more energy in 2022, as the camping spaces inside the 2-mile track are sold out for the first time since 2012. The FireKeepers Casino 400 NASCAR Cup Series race is at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 7.
Duane Parker (left) and Todd Hitchcock (right) pose at the NASCAR Firekeepers Casino 400 race at the Michigan International Speedway on August 5, 2022.Ryan Sun | rsun@mlive.com
Fans speculate the new Next Gen car is drawing more interest to NASCAR this year – plus, MIS only has one race each summer now instead of two.
“It’s exciting. It’s been kind of sparse the last few years and it’s really, really packed this year. Hopefully the stands are just as packed,” Williams said. “People are coming back to racing, it seems like.”
Some fans are disappointed MIS only has one race weekend now. But for Greg Noell, of Reed City, it’s probably for the best.
“My liver can’t handle two races,” Noell said.
Noell’s crew has been coming to MIS since the ‘90s. They gamble on everything from the racing to games of “washers” – which is similar to cornhole, but the boards are flat and have three holes, plus bean bags are swapped out for large washers.
“(Our new friend from Ohio) has been playing washers, it’s his first time ever, and of course he’s been kicking my ass,” Noell said. “I owe him a couple dollars.”
Noell and his friends watch the races from a platform on top of their large, white-painted school bus – which he estimates is a 1982 model.
“We just have fun,” Noell said. “It’s all camaraderie and fun. And drinking.”
Scenes from the NASCAR Firekeepers Casino 400 race at the Michigan International Speedway on August 5, 2022.Ryan Sun | rsun@mlive.com
For a group of Canadians near Turn 1, they came to town with very little beer. But they loaded up in time.
“It’s a lot cheaper down here,” said Allan Gordon, noting how they stopped at the store after crossing the border.
Gordon is camping with a group of his neighbors – they all live on Waldie Avenue in a town just outside Toronto. This is their first time back at the races since 2019, since the Canadian border had been closed due to COVID.
They convinced one more of their neighbors, James Meecham, to join this year to earn his “rookie stripe.”
“It’s like a mini city, in here,” Meecham said. “It’s awesome.”
RELATED: After 2 long years, reopened border allows Canadian race fans to return to MIS
Scenes from the NASCAR Firekeepers Casino 400 race at the Michigan International Speedway on August 5, 2022.Ryan Sun | rsun@mlive.com
The Canadians weren’t the only thing to return in 2022 – the MIS infield pub crawl returned for the first time in a few years. Crowds hopped around designated “bars” set up by fans in the infield. Most fans had bikes and trikes and other jerry-rigged machines with wheels.
Some wore tutus or coconut bras. A Sterling Heights native named Tony Damico had an orange hard hat, designed with drinking in mind.
“Coming to the track – you can’t explain that to people,” Damico said. “Unless they’ve been here, they don’t hear the cars (making loud racecar sounds). You gotta be here to experience that.”
Tony Damico poses at the NASCAR Firekeepers Casino 400 race at the Michigan International Speedway on August 5, 2022.Ryan Sun | rsun@mlive.com
But not everybody in the infield came to experience the speed.
“I don’t even really watch NASCAR,” said Tom Smith, of Rochester Hills, who was passing out Fireball, Jack Daniel’s Fire and apple pie shots at his makeshift bar.
So what brings him out?
MORE PHOTOS FROM THE INFIELD
Scenes from the NASCAR Firekeepers Casino 400 race at the Michigan International Speedway on August 5, 2022.Ryan Sun | rsun@mlive.com
Scenes from the NASCAR Firekeepers Casino 400 race at the Michigan International Speedway on August 5, 2022.Ryan Sun | rsun@mlive.com
Scenes from the NASCAR Firekeepers Casino 400 race at the Michigan International Speedway on August 5, 2022.Ryan Sun | rsun@mlive.com
Scenes from the NASCAR Firekeepers Casino 400 race at the Michigan International Speedway on August 5, 2022.Ryan Sun | rsun@mlive.com
Danny Parrish sits atop his trailer at the NASCAR Firekeepers Casino 400 race at the Michigan International Speedway on August 5, 2022.Ryan Sun | rsun@mlive.com
Campers at the NASCAR Firekeepers Casino 400 race at the Michigan International Speedway customize their RV’s and trailers on August 5, 2022.Ryan Sun | rsun@mlive.com
Scenes from the NASCAR Firekeepers Casino 400 race at the Michigan International Speedway on August 5, 2022.Ryan Sun | rsun@mlive.com
Scenes from the NASCAR Firekeepers Casino 400 race at the Michigan International Speedway on August 5, 2022.Ryan Sun | rsun@mlive.com
Linda Polsgrove poses at the NASCAR Firekeepers Casino 400 race at the Michigan International Speedway on August 5, 2022.Ryan Sun | rsun@mlive.com
Scenes from the NASCAR Firekeepers Casino 400 race at the Michigan International Speedway on August 5, 2022.Ryan Sun | rsun@mlive.com
The Pilgrim Nation pose at the NASCAR Firekeepers Casino 400 race at the Michigan International Speedway on August 5, 2022.Ryan Sun | rsun@mlive.com
Scenes from the NASCAR Firekeepers Casino 400 race at the Michigan International Speedway on August 5, 2022.Ryan Sun | rsun@mlive.com
Scenes from the NASCAR Firekeepers Casino 400 race at the Michigan International Speedway on August 5, 2022.Ryan Sun | rsun@mlive.com
MORE COVERAGE FROM MICHIGAN INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY
Last year, a University of Michigan loyalist drove the No. 2 car. This year, it’s a Buckeye.
NASCAR at MIS betting preview: FireKeepers Casino 400 predictions and expert best bet
NASCAR in Michigan: 12 burning questions as the series hits the Irish Hills
Comfortable on the mower and in the board room, new MIS president ready for NASCAR weekend
MIS sells out infield campsites for NASCAR for first time since 2012
Changes coming for luxury ticket option at Michigan International Speedway
Mel Tucker, Tom Izzo named co-grand marshals for NASCAR race at Michigan International Speedway
After 2 long years, reopened border allows Canadian race fans to return to MIS
For an updated list of stories from MIS this NASCAR race weekend, click here.
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