BROOKLYN, Mich. (May 20, 2014) — When Ken Schneider of Brantford, Ontario, Canada last came to Michigan International Speedway in February, he dropped off a rusty 1973 MCI Motorcoach.
On Monday, he returned to NASCAR’s fastest track and was in for a surprise.
Schneider placed the winning $2,025 bid in the online auction for the Extreme Bus Makeover in December. His recently purchased bus was professionally designed, painted, and decaled by the staff at MIS.
The bus now has a blue, orange and white paint scheme with the numbers of Tony Stewart and Dale Earnhardt, Jr. displayed on the side.
“It’s a dream,” Schneider said. “It is a good foundation to help out too, so I was happy to do that. So it was just a win-win situation. It is very, very stylish. I’ll be proud to drive it down the road.”
He loved the paint scheme so much, he gave MIS Cares $4,000, nearly $2,000 more than his winning bid.
The Schneider family is looking forward to continuing its August tradition of watching the Pure Michigan 400. However, now, the family will be rolling in style to the Irish Hills in a freshly painted bus, thanks to MIS Cares and the staff at MIS.
“We have been bringing some more people along, but it started out just being our weekend,” Schneider said. “From 21, 23, 24 they still want to go with their dad and I think that is pretty cool. We get along great. It is our weekend away. Everybody’s lives get busy and it is hard to find time that everybody has the same days off. We plan that August weekend for us and it works. We have fun.”
But Schneider will first get to test-drive his newly renovated vehicle when he heads to MIS with a group of friends in June to watch the Quicken Loans 400.
“I am a NASCAR fan and I go to MIS in August with my daughters,” Schneider said. “It is our weekend away which is great. I go with the guys in June. It is a great time to go to have a family weekend. It is enjoyable. It is fun. How else can I advertise MIS than with my bus because I go all over the place? It is great.”
This marks the fifth year of the Extreme Bus Makeover at MIS. The idea started as a quick decision to do something unique and different for one lucky fan and has blossomed into an annual charitable tradition that will be remembered by winners forever. All winnings go to MIS Cares.
“The concept started as a spur-of-the-moment idea during camper lineup one year,” MIS President Roger Curtis said. “Our Maintenance Department enjoys painting the bus during the winter months and we couldn’t wait to show Schneider the makeover. But the best part is all money benefits MIS Cares and the charities it supports.”
MIS Cares is a donor advised fund of the NASCAR Foundation, a 501 © (3) non-profit entity. MIS Cares’ mission is to create a lasting, positive impact on our community through charitable giving and volunteer efforts that cultivate community growth and advances quality of life.
In 2013, MIS and its sister company Americrown combined to donate a total of $606,469 to local service groups and organizations through cash donations, work programs, grants and sponsorships, as well as tickets and merchandise that clubs raffle to raise money.
MIS Cares awarded $76,469 in cash donations to local charities through its grant program. Another $60,000 was awarded through sponsorships and tickets those groups raffle off, also to raise money.
MIS Cares raises funds through a number of events, online auctions, donations and Extreme Bus Makeover. The speedway and Americrown annually work with service groups, church groups, Kiwanis, Rotary and Lions clubs, masons, high school sporting clubs and a host of other non-profit organizations to provide a platform for those groups to earn money for their causes and programs during the racetrack’s events.
Nestled in the lush Irish Hills of Southeastern Michigan, Michigan International Speedway is NASCAR’s fastest track and the Great Escape, a venerable NASCAR national park where fans can get away and enjoy the very best in racing and camaraderie. It’s the love of racing and the thrill of a great time for race fans and drivers alike.
Keep up with Michigan International Speedway via Twitter @MISpeedway or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MISpeedway. Android and iPhone can now download Discover MIS, the official app of MIS, on Google Play and iTunes.
PHOTO: Ken Schneider picked up freshly painted bus after placing the winning bid for the MIS Extreme Bus Makeover this fall. He delivered the 1973 MCI Motorcoach to Michigan International Speedway in February so the maintenance team could repaint the bus as part of the fifth annual Extreme Bus Makeover benefitting MIS Cares.
2014 Michigan International Speedway Schedule
Friday, June 13 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards and Sprint Cup Qualifying
Saturday, June 14 NASCAR Nationwide Series
Sunday, June 15 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Quicken Loans 400
July 18-20 Faster Horses Festival
Friday, Aug. 15 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Practice and Qualifying
Saturday, Aug. 16 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Careers for Veterans 200 presented by Cooper Standard Foundation & Brad Keselowski’s Checkered Flag Foundation
Sunday, Aug. 17 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Pure Michigan 400
# # #
