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‘GOURD’ TIMES AHEAD
LOOK FOR AUTUMN ACTIVITIES IN SECTION B
Ride-along experiences give depth to auto show
SEPTEMBER 21, 2023 • Vol. 35, No. 20 The third annual American Speed Festival will be held from Sept. 28 through Oct. 1 at the M1 Concourse in Pontiac. Photo provided by American Speed Festival representatives
BY DEAN VAGLIA
dvaglia@candgnews.com
See AUTO SHOW on page 20A
THE RACE IS ON AT THE AMERICAN SPEED FESTIVAL BY MARIA ALLARD allard@candgnews.com
Photo by Dean Vaglia
A Ford Bronco begins descending a 36-degree incline at the Ford Built Wild Track Experience.
PONTIAC — Fasten your seat belts — it’s time for the third annual American Speed Festival. The event will race into town from Sept. 28 through Oct. 1 at the M1 Concourse, located at 1 Concourse Drive, which is situated at the northwest corner of Woodward Avenue and South Boulevard. “The American Speed Festival offers more than just static displays; it provides an engaging and captivating experience for people of all ages,” an
American Speed Festival press release states. “Attendees can fully immerse themselves in the event, hearing the thunderous roar of a NASCAR as it enters the pit lane, catching the scent of burning rubber around the track, and witnessing the thrilling spectacle of time attacks. It’s an interactive event that truly brings the excitement to life.” The M1 Concourse is a playground for any car buff. The 87-acre property features a 1.5-mile road course, an events center, and indoor and outdoor spaces that overlook the racetrack. Also built on-site are private
car condominiums that feature living rooms, kitchenettes and personal garages, which will open for a fee on late Friday afternoon. The four-day American Speed Festival is a chance for car owners and spectators to mingle in an automotive setting. There will be race car drivers and sports car owners on-site. Everything from vintage Indy cars to historic stock vehicles to classic cars will spin their wheels. Some of the cars were built for speed, while others became popular because of their unique style. See SPEED on page 16A
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METRO DETROIT — Back downtown for its second post-pandemic event, the North American International Auto Show is mostly what industry watchers have come to expect from the annual automotive gathering. General Motors Co., Ford Motor Co. and Stellantis take up the majority of Huntington Place’s floor space. Toyota Motor Corp. is the only non-Detroit manufacturer with