Michigan native Erik Jones enjoys the hot, slick racing surface at Michigan International Speedway for NASCAR racing in the summer. On Tuesday, the surface was icy and slick when Jones visited the Detroit Red Wings.
Jones, driver of the #20 Toyota Camry for Joe Gibbs Racing, was in town to promote the two Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Races at Michigan International Speedway. The FireKeepers Casino 400 is June 9 and the Consumers Energy 400 is Aug. 11.
When the Red Wings looked to the bench for instruction from head coach Jeff Blashill during morning skate, he was not there. Instead they saw Jones and Michigan International Speedway President Rick Brenner. Jones watched morning skate and tried to pick up a few pointers that he can carry over to racing.
“Every sport is different and it’s neat to see how each one operates,” Jones said. “I’ve had a chance to be around some football teams and had a chance to meet some baseball players, but never hockey. It’s cool to see their process and how they prepare. It’s cool to see that the preparation starts so early for a game.”
After the morning skate, Jones presented a helmet to all the Michigan-born Red Wings players. Justin Abdelkader, Danny DeKeyser, Luke Glendening, Dylan Larkin and Luke Witkowski all received an autographed racing helmet. The Red Wings presented Jones his very own personalized jersey with his name and number on the back.
Jones held his post morning skate press conference right in the Red Wings locker room. Surrounded by numerous media members, Jones talked about racing at MIS and in front of his hometown fans. At the end Blashill walked in to show him how it is done. The head coach gave Jones his own Red Wings hat and Jones gave Blashill a signed helmet.
The Red Wings fan came back to the game to watch his beloved team beat the Anaheim Ducks.
Jones and Michigan International Speedway partnered to create a special ticket package for the hometown driver.
The Erik Jones Ticket Package includes a grandstand ticket to the Consumers Energy 400 and a Pit/Paddock and Driver Introduction Pass. And on Sunday morning, Jones will host a special question and answer session for fans who bought this package. Fans can get this ticket package starting at $76 for adults and only $38 for children.
The Byron, MI native started racing at the short tracks around the state and is now a rising star in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series. NASCAR’s Most Entertaining Track is excited to create the Erik Jones Ticket Package to salute its hometown driver.
Tickets and campsites for two great weekends of racing at Michigan International Speedway are on sale. Don’t miss your chance to purchase tickets and reserve a campsite for all the non-stop racing action and the week-long entertainment at NASCAR’s Most Entertaining Track in 2019.
It has never been easier to purchase tickets and reserve a campsite at Michigan International Speedway in 2019. Fans can visitwww.mispeedway.com or call 888-905-7223 to get the best deals. Grandstand tickets start at $39 and week-long camping starts at $135.
Michigan International Speedway will continue to be a premier racing facility in 2019 when it hosts a pair of Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series races. NASCAR’s most entertaining track will host the Monster Energy Series on June 9 and Aug. 11.
The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series FireKeepers Casino 400 is on June 9. The series will return on Aug. 11 for the Consumers Energy 400.
The XFINITY Series LTi Printing 250 is June 8 while the Gander Outdoors Truck Series Corrigan Oil 200 is scheduled for Aug. 10.
The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series will feature a new aerodynamic racing package in 2019 to bolster the competition. It will be similar to what was used in the 2018 All-Star race. The Gander Outdoors Truck Series Corrigan Oil 200 will serve as the cutoff race for the regular season. Drivers will have one final opportunity to make the playoffs in the truck series, adding even more intensity and intrigue to the already thrilling race at MIS.
Nestled in the lush Irish Hills of Southeastern Michigan, Michigan International Speedway is NASCAR’s fastest racetrack. It has been the love of NASCAR racing and the thrill of a great time for race fans and drivers alike for 50 years.
PHOTO (L to R): Luke Witkowski, Justin Abdelkader, Luke Glendening, Erik Jones, Dylan Larkin and Danny DeKeyser exchanged jerseys and helmets after the Red Wings morning skate.
# # #
2019 Michigan International Speedway Schedule
Friday, June 7 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards and Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Qualifying
Saturday, June 8 NASCAR XFINITY Series LTi Printing 250
Sunday, June 9 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series FireKeepers Casino 400
July 19 – 21 Faster Horses Festival
Friday, Aug. 9 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Practice and Qualifying
Saturday, Aug. 10 NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series Corrigan Oil 200
Sunday, Aug. 11 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Consumers Energy 400
MIS PR
