BROOKLYN, MI — The infield at Michigan International Speedway creates an interesting ecosystem, as people come from all over for all sorts of reasons.
Some come for the party, others for the race and then there are the families who treat it like a normal camping trip.
Parents like Jim Yakes of Belleville have started to break their children into the infield life at an early age.
“(I) bring my 4-year-old son, James, down here Thursday and we get out of here by Sunday night,” he said. “He gets dirty playing with his toys and running around, so he has a great time.”
When asked what he would say to someone who doesn’t consider the infield to be a family friendly atmosphere, he said it’s a great place for children to run around and play with each other.
This is James’ third year in the infield, and Yakes said he wouldn’t bring him here if he didn’t think it was appropriate.
“There are kids everywhere you look here, good parents are good at looking after their kids,” Yakes said. “This is good camping, definitely different, but good.”
Ashley Downey of Watervliet comes from the same thinking as Yakes, as she brought her 3-year-old son, Gavin, to MIS for a day of fun with family.
Joining Downey and Gavin at the campsite was a family friend and their 10-year-old daughter, Avery Oppenneer, who had been camping since Friday, June 13.
“It’s all family here. I’ve been coming since I was 3 years old, and I love it,” Avery said. “I ride my scooter around with Gavin, and then once the race starts I hop on my bike and ride down to the fence to watch the race.”
Downey said the fact that Avery has been coming for the past seven years was reason enough to start Gavin out at a young age to join the fun.