Grand-Am beats ALMS to Detroit

Although ALMS put a press release out today that they want to join IndyCar in Detroit after 2012 but now comes this press release from their arch-enemy – GRAND-AM will be racing into the Motor City in 2012, with the announcement of the return of the Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix.

GRAND-AM's Rolex Sports Car Series will partner with Penske Motorsports and the IZOD IndyCar Series in the June 1-3 weekend on the picturesque 14-turn, 2.1-mile circuit located on Belle Isle, a city park on an island in the Detroit River adjacent to downtown. The Chevrolet Detroit Sports Car Challenge featuring the Rolex Series will be held on Saturday, June 2.

Detroit is currently enjoying the national spotlight for American sports fans. The Tigers are currently competing in the American League Championship Series after eliminating the New York Yankees, while the undefeated Lions are celebrating Monday night's victory over the Chicago Bears.

But on Wednesday, motorsports took center stage in the hub of the American automotive industry.

"This is another memorable day for GRAND-AM," said Tom Bledsoe, president of the sanctioning body. "We have already announced that we'll be racing at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 2012, and this is another great addition to our schedule as we continue to move forward as North America's leading sports car sanctioning body."

GRAND-AM Vice President of Competition Dave Spitzer and GRAND-AM co-founder Jim France were joined at the announcement by Dave Bing, mayor of the City of Detroit; Mark Reuss, chairman of Chevrolet North America; Roger Penske, chairman of Penske Corporation and Randy Bernard, CEO of IndyCar.