 Roger Penske was one of the main advocates of the series returning to Detroit, and his company provided $ 6 million to improve the course on Belle Isle Park. Over 600,000 square feet (56,000 m2) of concrete was laid down across the paddock and the race course, and the lighting and drainage were both repaired in the lead up to the event. The race was scheduled for the weekend after the Indianapolis 500, a slot that had previously been held by the Firestone 550 at the Texas Motor Speedway. The move created tension with Eddie Gossage, the track director in Texas.
