Junior Achievement of Northwest Michigan Puts Entrepreneurs in the Classroom during JA Entrepreneurship Week

BROOKLYN, Mich. (Oct. 2, 2015): Michigan International Speedway continues to be recognized for its sustainable efforts. NASCAR and Consumers Energy have recently acknowledged the racetrack for its contributions to green innovation.

NASCAR recognized Michigan International Speedway for its work with Consumers Energy during its 2015 NASCAR Green Summit presented by American Ethanol E-15 in Chicago.

And Consumers Energy, an MIS partner, honored MIS for its commitment to renewable energy, naming Michigan’s largest racetrack as its Green Generation Customer of the Year.

“MIS is one of the greenest sports facilities in the county, if not the greenest, as 100 percent of our electricity comes from renewable sources,” track President Roger Curtis said. “We take pride in the environment and are continually looking for ways to decrease our carbon footprint. We share the same values with Consumers Energy and with NASCAR.”

The speedway has worked since 2008 with partners Schupan and Coca-Cola on a recycling program for its race weekends, collecting hundreds of thousands of pounds of aluminum and plastics from cans and bottles, among other things, during its NASCAR events. MIS annually recycles cardboard, paper, glass, plastic, aluminum, construction waste, electronic waste, batteries and motor oil after its events, due largely to the help of its NASCAR fans.

The speedway also works with Consumers Energy to ensure all of its electricity comes from renewable sources. Consumers Energy and MIS also work to help build Michigan’s clean energy future including:

• Working together to provide 50,000 trees to the Michigan Association of Conservation Districts to be planted across Michigan.
• Reducing energy use at the racetrack significantly by installing energy efficient lighting and heating and cooling system upgrades identified during comprehensive on-site energy audits.

MIS annually introduces programs that have made an immediate impact on the environment.

“MIS takes great pride in knowing that our green initiatives have made a significant, positive impact to the environment and sport of auto racing, and we continue to do different things to move forward with those initiatives,” Curtis said. “It’s the right thing to do to protect our environment. Our brand at MIS is very much an environmentally friendly one. Our fans are extreme outdoor enthusiasts and conservationists; in fact they refer to MIS as NASCAR in a national park and they do their part packing up their recyclables.”

All of the efforts have proved vastly important to maintaining a clean, safe and environmentally friendly facility to fans who visit MIS twice a year for NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races.

But more, the speedway’s surrounding communities also benefit.

Most recently, the speedway entered a thriving partnership with Adrian College to observe and analyze its vast acres of wetlands around the track property. Adrian College students have inventoried all plant, animal and insect species in designated areas, as well as regularly conduct water studies and identify invasive plant species.

Adrian College students have developed a field guide and self-guided tour book for visitors, many of whom are small children. “Track and Explore” sees hundreds of kids visit MIS to look at animals, plants and test water samples from the wetlands – all as part of fun, interactive school field trips. In addition, the partnership with Adrian College helps teach local students the importance of stewardship.

Additionally, the track’s Pit Road Suites and Media Center, which opened in June 2010, has a 20 kW photovoltaic (solar panels) system, which offsets energy costs for the building used year-round. MIS earned its Green Venues Michigan Leader Certification by the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth (DELEG) for its ongoing conservation efforts.

Nestled in the lush Irish Hills of Southeastern Michigan, Michigan International Speedway is the Great Escape, a venerable NASCAR national park where fans can get away and enjoy the very best in racing and camaraderie. It’s the love of racing and the thrill of a great time for race fans and drivers alike.

Keep up with Michigan International Speedway via Twitter@MISpeedway or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MISpeedway. Android and iPhone can now download Discover MIS, the official app of MIS, on Google Play and iTunes.