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Anne Erickson

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History of the Detroit Grand Prix

Anne Erickson May 23rd
DETROIT, MI - MAY 30: The #01 Chip Ganassi Racing Riley DP Ford EcoBoost of Scott Pruett and Memo Rojas of Mexico during practice for the Tudor United Sports Car Championship Series at the 2014 Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix at the Raceway at Belle Isle Park on May 30, 2014 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Robert Laberge/Getty Images)

The first Detroit Grand Prix kicked off in 1982 as a Formula One race through the streets of downtown Detroit. It became a CART-sanctioned race in 1989.

The race picked up and moved to Belle Isle in 1992, still as a CART-sanctioned race until 2001. Following the Super Bowl being held in Detroit in 2006, Roger Penske and the Downtown Detroit Partnership (DDP) joined forces to bring an annual national sporting event the Motor City and brought the Grand Prix back to Belle Isle in 2007.

Due to a rough economy, the event was delayed after the 2008 season, but it came back in 2012 with Chevrolet as the title sponsor. The 2019 event marked was the 30th Detroit Grand Prix.

The event did not happen in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It came back in 2021 with limited attendance, to follow health and safety guidelines.

Detroit Racing Photos:

Anne Erickson's love for music drew her into radio, and she started shortly after graduating from MSU. She has a passion for rock and metal, plus local music. She also fronts the band Upon Wings. Email Anne at erickson@WRIF.com, follow her on Instagram at @EricksonAnne and tweet at her @AnneErickson!