DETROIT/April 23, 2013 – The Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix and Comerica Bank today announced the return of a Grand Prix tradition in Detroit – Free Prix Day.
“We would like to thank Comerica Bank for giving us the opportunity to continue the tradition of Free Prix Day,” said Bud Denker, Chairman of the Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix. “It’s fitting that one of Detroit’s most notable and well-respected businesses has joined in hosting such an exciting and memorable event.”
The Grand Prix will feature Comerica Bank Free Prix Day on Friday, May 31. In addition to enjoying free admission to watch the day’s on-track activities, which include IZOD IndyCar Series practice and qualifying, GRAND-AM Rolex Series practice and qualifying and Pirelli World Challenge Series practice, fans will be able to visit the paddock and garage areas at the Grand Prix, courtesy of Comerica Bank. In addition, live entertainment will feature Detroit’s own contemporary R&B singer/songwriter, Dwele, who will perform on the MotorCity Casino Hotel Entertainment Stage Friday evening at 5:45 p.m.
“Comerica Bank is proud to continue our commitment to the community by providing families an opportunity to enjoy the excitement of racing at no charge,” said Thomas D. Ogden, president, Comerica Bank-Michigan. “It’s an honor to be a part of what’s becoming a Detroit racing tradition, the Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix.”
Helping Comerica announce its sponsorship of Free Prix Day today at a media lunch attended by IndyCar driver James Hinchcliffe were students from the only all-girls Detroit Public School, the Detroit International Academy. Through its involvement with and support of the Detroit Public Schools Foundation, Comerica is sending the students, who are members of the academy’s robotics team and pre-college engineering program, to Free Prix Day. While at the race track, students will have an opportunity to see the different ways in which engineering technology is applied during a race and will meet the people who have put those skills to work in the racing industry.
The Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix is a 501(c)3 organization and a subsidiary of the Downtown Detroit Partnership. Held May 31-June 2, 2013, the event will include the Chevrolet Indy Dual in Detroit presented by Quicken Loans featuring the cars of the IZOD IndyCar Series, the Chevrolet GRAND-AM 200 at Belle Isle presented by the Metro Detroit Chevy Dealers with the sports cars of the GRAND-AM Rolex Series and the Cadillac V-Series Challenge presented by the Metro Detroit Cadillac Dealers featuring the cars of the Pirelli World Challenge Championship Series. Partners for the 2013 Grand Prix include General Motors, Quicken Loans and MotorCity Casino Hotel. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.DetroitGP.com and follow our social media pages at www.facebook.com/detroitgp and www.twitter.com/detroitgp.
Comerica Bank, with 216 banking centers in Michigan, is a subsidiary of Comerica Incorporated. Founded in Detroit in 1849, Comerica continues to invest in Michigan. Comerica’s $17 million renovation of its building at 411 W. Lafayette in Detroit was completed last year and the renamed Comerica Bank Center is now the bank’s Michigan Market headquarters. Comerica Incorporated (NYSE: CMA) is a financial services company strategically aligned by three business segments: The Business Bank, The Retail Bank, and Wealth Management. Comerica focuses on relationships, and helping people and businesses be successful. To find us on Facebook, please visit www.facebook.com/ComericaCares. Follow us on Twitter at @ComericaCares.
Contacts: Merrill Cain Kathleen Pitton Tim Trunzo
Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix Comerica Bank Franco Public Relations Group
(313) 748-1842 (313) 584-4523 (313) 567-5090
mcain@detroitgp.com kapitton@comerica.com Trunzo@franco.com
