BROOKLYN, Mich. (March 31, 2014) — More than 80 inches of snow has fallen at Michigan International Speedway this year. And with just a week to go before NASCAR’s fastest track opens its gates for a Goodyear Tire Test, it was time to call in the big guns to melt ice and snow from the track.
Michigan International Speedway maintenance crews used old-fashioned know-how Monday, enlisting the help of jet dryers to melt snow drifts and sheets of ice on some areas of the racing surface.
The ice was several feet thick in some places, especially in shaded areas of the track.
And while temperatures are expected to be warmer this week and next, it was important to get a jump on melting the ice before cars test.
The jet dryer was first used in the early-70s to melt snow at Michigan International Speedway. It evolved to eventually be the primary means NASCAR used to dry racetracks after rain-delays. Today, jet dryers have been replaced by NASCAR’s innovative Air Titan technology.
MIS President Roger Curtis expects all the snow and ice will be gone by next week.
2014 Michigan International Speedway Schedule
Saturday, May 10 Michigan Wine and Beer Fest presented by Experience Jackson
Friday, June 13 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards and Sprint Cup Qualifying
Saturday, June 14 NASCAR Nationwide Series
Sunday, June 15 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Quicken Loans 400
Friday, Aug. 15 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Practice and Qualifying
Saturday, Aug. 16 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series
Sunday, Aug. 17 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Pure Michigan 400
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