Michigan International Speedway is a four-turn superspeedway that is 2 miles (3.2 km) long.[2] Groundbreaking took place on September 28, 1967. Over 2.5 million cubic yards (1.9×10^6 m3) of dirt were moved to form the D-shaped oval. The track opened in 1968 with a total capacity of 25,000 seats.
The track was originally built and owned by Lawrence H. LoPatin, a Detroit-area land developer who built the speedway at an estimated cost of $4–6 million.[3] Financing was arranged by Thomas W Itin. Its first race took place on Sunday, October 13, 1968, with the running of the USAC 250 mile Championship Car Race won by Ronnie Bucknum.
Summary
It took two hours and forty-five minutes to complete this event. 38 American-born drivers competed on this 200-lap event; Joe Ruttman would become the last-place finisher due to a problem with his vehicle's oil pump on the second lap. Bill Elliott would end up finishing the race 96 laps behind the leaders while Tim Richmond would see the conclusion of his racing weekend by inflicting some damage to the back of his car on lap 161. This was the debut race for the Chrysler Imperial car of Buddy Arrington.[4]
Thirty thousand people watched Bobby Allison best Richard Petty by two car lengths. Bill Elliott won pole position with a speed of 162.995 miles per hour (262.315 km/h). The final 50 laps would be monopolized by three different drivers (Richard Petty, Darrell Waltrip and Bobby Allison).
Terry Labonte would lead in championship points after this race; trailing by 50 points to Bobby Allison. The race average speed was 136.545 miles per hour (219.748 km/h).[4] Ronnie Thomas and Al Loquasto did not qualify on time but were added to the field through what would come to be known as provisionals.[4]
Tony Bettenhausen Jr. and Robin McCall would make their respective departures from the NASCAR Winston Cup Series after the conclusion of this event.[5]
Individual race earnings ranged from the winner's share of $26,900 ($84,929.79 when adjusted for inflation) to the last-place finisher's share of $1,850 ($5,840.9 when adjusted for inflation). $222,875 went to all the drivers of this event ($703,670.17 when adjusted for inflation).[7]
