Fans started packing Michigan International Speedway Friday in anticipation of this weekend's Spring Cup race. A race that Nascar expects to be more competitive than others.
That's because Nascar is making package changes to the cars which causes less downforce. As a result, drivers won't be able to accelerate through turns, and it will change the race entirely.
"The restarts are going to be that much more exciting because of the lack of downforce," says Kurt Busch, who won last years race at MIS. "And how stable the cars will be side by side... nobody knows that yet."
Not being able to accelerate through turns will force drivers to get off the throttle going into a turn, which could lead to more risky moves by other drivers who choose to get off their gas later. Each corner will have a chance to see a huge shakeup in places.
But off the track, there is a new tent for merchandise sales.
"In years past it's been trailers and this year we started to do this walk-in concept," says Chris Williams, the Vice President of the Trackside Superstore.
The idea is to make the shopping process more convenient for customers.
"The fan actually has a place to go," says Williams, "a destination, which the trailers did too, but you don't have to wait 40 minutes to get in line. You can go ahead and make that shopping experience as you're there."
Some fans aren't pleased with the changes, but others think it's a great improvement.
"All the stuff that they've got in there is way better than what the trailers had," says Tony Hathaway, who has been coming to MIS for eight years. "There's more of it, and there's a better selection. So far, I dig it."
The bigger selection includes more options for kids and women's clothing.
