IndyCar and Grand Am will be racing on the Belle Isle street circuit this weekend, bringing racing back to this island in the Detroit River after a few years’ hiatus.
Home to the Formula One Detroit Grand Prix from 1992–2001, and IndyCar and American Le Mans Series sports car racing in 2007 and 2008, the tight, twisting Belle Isle circuit has been revived for the Chevrolet Grand-Am Detroit 200 on Saturday and the IndyCar Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix Sunday.
The 2.1-mile, 14-turn Belle Isle circuit is challenging, to say the least. It doesn’t offer a lot of passing opportunities, which could make the Grand Am race, with its multiple classes, extremely entertaining. IndyCar has always put on a good show here; with the new Dallara DW12, which is a little more forgiving in close quarters, the race should be better than before.
IndyCar raced twice at Belle Isle, with Justin Wilson taking a controversial win in the last race, in 2008. This will be the first time Grand Am has used the Belle isle circuit
Along with Grand Am and IndyCar, the Pirelli World Challenge series and Indy Lights will also be racing at Belle Isle this weekend.
Friday night after the racing, classic rock band Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels will perform. The B52s will play Saturday night and Ronnie Dunn, once of Brooks and Dunn, will perform Sunday afternoon.
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