More upgrades made to Belle Isle course

The Detroit circuit is almost all concrete now

Spectators and competitors will notice and benefit from infrastructure improvements on Belle Isle when they arrive for the Chevrolet Dual in Detroit presented by Quicken Loans.

The work, which since last year's Verizon IndyCar Series doubleheader includes more than $4 million in paving of the 2.35-mile street circuit and $250,000 in drainage improvements, is part of the long-term public-private partnership revitalization initiative started in 2007. The state Department of Natural Resources has operated Belle Isle Park as a state park since February 2014.

"We have a brand new racetrack with almost a mile of new pavement; our track is almost entirely concrete. It will be high grip and we know in combination with aero kits fans will see records fall every day," Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix chairman Bud Denker said.

The backstretch, between Turns 6 and 7 of the 14-turn course, has been relocated to the left of the existing street to remove a slight kink, making the "straightaway more straight now," according to Denker.

"We're going to invest in Belle Isle because of the race being there, but the state is investing in Belle Isle because the DNR is running it," he said.

Last week, through a $50,000 donation from Tom Gores and Platinum Equity, all of the lights and fixtures lining the MacArthur Bridge leading to the island have been replaced with high-efficiency LED technology, improving visibility and safety for visitors. The lights surrounding the lagoon near Scott Fountain also are being replaced.

On- and off-track action May 29 is free and open to the public.

"We tout the fact that our event is far beyond race cars on the racetrack. It's a real Detroit, Michigan, event," Denker said.