Travel Log: Michigan

The auto industry has taken a hit recently, but this weekend it gets put on center stage as NASCAR rolls into the heart of Michigan.

Detroit got its nickname through automobiles. Today, that connotation is going through rough times as two of the Big Three automakers have gone bankrupt. The other, Ford, has refused to take on government assistance and plans to up production during the lean summer months.

So with a trip to Michigan comes a history lesson on the U.S. automobile.

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DID YOU KNOW?
• Oldsmobile's Curved Dash was the first automobile produced in large volumes, beginning in 1901 with 425 made. More than 2,500 were produced in 1902. Cost: $650.

• The first Ford Model T was produced on Sept. 27, 1908, at the Piquette Plant in Detroit. A design team was put in place a year prior by Henry Ford for the car: Joseph Galamb, C. Harold Willis, Harry Love, C.J. Smith, Gus Degener and Peter E. Martin. In the month following that first vehicle, the Piquette plant produced 11 vehicles.

• Packard Motor Car Company was the first automobile maker to offer air conditioning in its car in 1939. The luxury was powered from the engine without a thermostat and blew cool air from the rear of the vehicle. Total cost of the air conditioning option: $274.

• General Motors is based in Detroit and was the world sales leader from 1931-2007 before being overtaken by Toyota (Toyota sold approximately 600,000 more vehicles than GM in 2008). GM began in 1908 as a holding company for Buick under the direction of William C. Durant. Two years later, Durant lost control of the company but then started Chevrolet Motors, through which he secretly repurchased controlling interest of GM. GM filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on June 1.

• The Chrysler Corporation was formed in 1925 by Walter P. Chrysler. He was the former president of the Buick arm of General Motors, who resigned because he disagreed with the direction of the company. He worked for Willys-Overland Motor Company, then acquired interest in Maxwell Motor Company. He eliminated Maxwell under the Chrysler name and took control of the Plymouth, DeSoto and Dodge names. Chrysler LLC filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on April 30.

IN THE KNOW ...
Best Burger: Blimpy Burger
Best Barbecue: Slows Bar BQ
Best Restaurant: The Whitney

Admitted as a State: Jan. 26, 1837, as 26th state
Capital: Lansing
Nickname: Great Lakes State
Population Rank: 8th
Largest City: Detroit

AT THE TRACK
Located just west of Detroit, Michigan International Speedway sits in the quaint village of Brooklyn -- smack in the middle of the Irish Hills. With beautiful views and land galore, it's the perfect tailgating track (what isn't?). And MIS provides some unique resources for fans with information on tailgating lots and favorite recipes. The track's Web site, in general, is supreme for fans searching for weekend information.
• Michigan International Speedway

Weekend Schedule: Cup Series | Nationwide Series | Truck Series