Sydlowski named VP of Sales and Marketing at MIS

Michael Sydlowski

Michael Sydlowski has joined Michigan International Speedway as vice president of Sales and Marketing, speedway President Roger Curtis has announced. He begins Jan. 3.

Sydlowski, 41, brings a tremendous amount of professional sports sales and corporate partnership experience including jobs at Learfield Sports/Rocket Sports Properties in Toledo, Ohio, the NBA's Detroit Pistons and Palace Sports and Entertainment, Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Va., the University of Nebraska at Omaha and Kent State University in Ohio.

He was with the Detroit Shock when it won the WNBA Championship in 2003, and the Detroit Pistons for the NBA Championship in 2004.

"During the interview process, Michael cited his philosophy from one of his previous jobs that I found extremely helpful when making my decision," Curtis said. "He said that during his time with the Detroit Pistons, 'We don't control the score, but we do control if a guest steps in gum or not while at a game.' I found that attitude will fit perfectly with the guest experience culture we have built at MIS, and look forward to him joining our team."

Most recently, Sydlowski worked for Alternative Revenue Development in Troy, Mich., as the vice president of sales. The start-up entity assisted Michigan schools with incremental revenue streams through the formation of sponsorships to assist them with their funding problems.

A graduate of Kent State University in Kent, Ohio, Sydlowski lives in Saline, Mich., with his wife Diana and their two children, Kaija, 9, and Kristofers, 6.

"I'm looking forward to the opportunity of joining such fine organizations in Michigan International Speedway and International Speedway Corporation," Sydlowski said. "MIS has a reputation for being a first-class racetrack and treating fans, employees and sponsors with the utmost respect. I want to thank Roger for his trust and I look forward to working with and alongside him as we look to continue the level of excellence that MIS has become known for, as well as bringing MIS to new heights.

"Finally, I'm looking forward to going to work every day alongside the great staff that Roger has assembled at MIS."

Sydlowski replaces Dennis Bickmeier, who left MIS to become the president at Richmond International Raceway, one of MIS' sister racetracks in Virginia.