As someone who has raced on the IndyCar circuit, I wish that I can put into words the level of excitement that drivers feel when they step out onto the track for introductions before the race. The intensity of the crowd only increases the nervous energy that you have before a race. In 2003, I stepped out of my IndyCar role, but haven’t given up racing by any means.

The great thing about the Jackson RaceWeek Festival is that it gives racers in the community and throughout the area the chance to feel that energy and excitement once again. For the last few years, I have sponsored and raced in the RaceWeek24. Don’t think for a minute that the racing is any less intense because we’re on a go-kart track in Jackson instead of MIS! There’s still the high level of excitement present throughout every lap and every corner. Racers take this very seriously, and the cars rarely are in the same condition at the end as they were in the beginning. It’s not uncommon to see a car go sliding through the grass off a corner while never taking his foot off of the floor. Foot cramps are not uncommon from having the gas pressed down so hard, for so long. This isn’t the race for someone who’s afraid to push the car deep into the corner or hang the rear end out. This is your chance to really bring it, and you better!

Technique, Inc. has also been very proud to race these cars again the next week in the Go-Kart Challenge at the Friday Night Street Party. This is a good opportunity for the Jackson businesses to participate in an activity that is both a crowd favorite and a team building activity. Everyone comes down for the party, the racing, the entertainment, and to get a driver autograph or two.

I would like to invite everyone to experience just a piece of the excitement that I felt while strapping on that helmet. One of the great things about IndyCar racing is that you have unprecedented access - from a great view of the action at the Firestone Indy 400 from any seat at MIS, to the drivers on Friday Night, and opportunities to become a racer yourself in the RaceWeek24 and Go-Kart Challenge.

If you think you have what it takes - I will see you there - on the track and off.

Ronnie Johncox

Technique, Inc.

The time has come for another exciting weekend of IRL IndyCar® Series action at Michigan International Speedway. In just under a month, the green flag will drop on the Firestone Indy 400 and Michigan will again play host to some of the best drivers in the world!

At MIS, we’re highly anticipating the arrival of the stars of the IndyCar Series for thrilling open-wheel racing action in the Firestone Indy 400. Indy 500 champion Sam Hornish Jr. is from nearby Defiance, Ohio and MIS is as close to home as it gets for him. Danica Patrick is back after a sensational Rookie of the Year season in 2005, and Marco Andretti is bursting onto the scene as one of the top young drivers in motorsports. That’s not all, though. We are also looking forward to joining with you, our community and neighbors, for this year’s Jackson RaceWeek Festival. By celebrating the incredible spectacle of IndyCar racing and having the Jackson area so greatly involved in our exciting event, the Jackson RaceWeek Festival continues to flourish and grow. At MIS, we are very proud to again be your partner in this wonderful celebration.

The way that you have embraced MIS and the IRL IndyCar Series is the foundation of the success of this partnership. Without your support, none of the great RaceWeek events leading up to our event could happen. It is you that makes our event weekend as exciting as it has been in the past, and it is you that will continue to make the celebration of our exhilarating on-track action memorable for years to come.

Thank you for your partnership, and we look forward to again celebrating with you this July!

W. Brett Shelton
President, Michigan International Speedway

I look at Raceweek from the perspective of the Jackson community, not the “racing” community. I believe the festival has highlighted for the community our rich racing heritage, as well as the economic impact of racing on our community. It fills hotel rooms, restaurants, party stores, grocery stores and exposes many people to the beauty and recreational opportunities in Jackson. I would be interested in hearing responses from race fans on their impressions of Jackson and how they are treated here. What do they do when they are here? How about it, race fans?

Sandy Petykiewicz

Publisher, Jackson Citizen Patriot

It’s that time race fans! With the racing season upon us, High Velocity has already begun spreading the excitement! With almost 30 team members starting the 2006 season, our team is more diverse and energetic than ever!This year, we have team members ranging in age from 17 to 32, each bringing their own unique personality and enthusiasm to the Jackson RaceWeek Festival. Many members are hometown girls from right here in Jackson, while some travel as far as Vermontville, Canton, and even Toledo. Some team members have been with us since our first year in 2003, while others are fresh faces for this new season. Some of us were already race fans before joining the team and others were drawn to the thrill at our first trip to the track.

Most team members quickly develop a favorite driver that they follow and cheer on. Mine has been Helio Castronevez since the conception of High Velocity and I have been so excited to get my picture with him each year while hosting the Autograph Session at the Friday Night Street Party. He’s ranked #1 right now – go Helio!

We have already made appearances this season at the Detroit Autorama and the Michigan Festivals Gala in Charlevoix, spreading the word of the racing heritage of the Jackson Community and inviting all to come celebrate with us this July!

I’m especially looking forward to the RaceWeek 24 event at the Jackson Speedway. This has always been one of my favorite events because it gives me the chance to feel the thrill and adrenaline of racing, but on a smaller scale than Indy! High Velocity really increases the competition at the track because none of the teams want to be beaten by a team of all girls!

High Velocity has been practicing new dance routines that are certain to get you pumped up for the races, so I encourage you to visit our schedule of events to see where we will be next and come out and join us!

See you soon!

Cathy L. Phillips

High Velocity Team Member

Jackson RaceWeek BOD Member

The launch of the Jackson RaceWeek website marks the beginning of what is sure to be one of the most exciting RaceWeek festivals to date.

When we started our first RaceWeek six years ago, we wanted to bring the excitement of open wheel racing to the Jackson area. Today, our mission remains the same - to bring regional and national visibility and economic growth to Jackson through the coordination of activities and events providing entertainment for residents and visitors and yielding tangible and intangible benefits to the community.

Jackson County has the unique opportunity to be the home of one of the few super speedways in the country. The excitement that this creates is shared by community members, race fans, and even those who are just finding out about this exciting phenomenon that is the sport of racing.

The difference between RaceWeek 2006 and the other festivals before it is that the people of Jackson have embraced this opportunity to be known to the world as a premier racing community. With every coming year, the festival continues to grow until the adrenaline and excitement are palpable. IRL drivers look forward to attending the Friday Night Street Party, and people come from all over to talk with their driving hero, get an autograph, check out the classic and custom car show and listen to some of the best live entertainment in the area.

This year’s festival will kick off with RaceWeek 24, a 24-hour high-endurance, high-energy race that creates an electrifying atmosphere as the toughest of racers compete with each other and test their own stamina. Other highlights will include the Friday Night Street Party, Children’s Pit Stop Challenge, a classic and custom car show, live entertainment and more. I look forward to seeing you as we celebrate racing in the streets of Jackson.

Jim Jansen

Director of RaceWeek Festival