DETROIT, Mich. (January 21, 2026) – Racing Day presented by the Detroit Grand Prix brought high speed energy to the Detroit Auto Show at Huntington Place on January 20, delivering a full day of fan experiences, driver appearances and motorsports excitement in the Motor City. The day served as a showcase of Detroit’s expanding motorsports culture and the growing collaboration between the Detroit Auto Show and the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear.
Fresh off the Roar Before the Rolex 24 test in Daytona, IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship stars Jack Aitken and Alexander Sims waved the green flag on their Detroit visit with courtside seats at the Pistons vs. Celtics NBA game thriller on Monday night, Jan. 19. Their Tuesday schedule was equally action packed at the Auto Show, with tours, media interviews, fan Q&As, and ride alongs in Corvette E Rays and Cadillac CT 5s that thrilled attendees on the indoor Detroit Grand Prix-inspired track.
Aitken and Sims were joined by NTT INDYCAR SERIES racers David Malukas, Rinus VeeKay, Marcus Armstrong and Kyffin Simpson, offering fans a rare mid winter chance to engage with top drivers who will return to Detroit for the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear, May 29-31. Fans had opportunities throughout the day to grab autographs, enjoy pit stop demonstrations from the local Curry Motorsports team and view the prestigious Astor Cup, awarded annually to the INDYCAR champion.
A key highlight of the day was a special panel discussion on the Show Floor Stage, hosted by FOX 2 Detroit sports anchor Jennifer Hammond. The conversation brought together the featured drivers along with GM’s Vice President of Performance and Motorsports Jim Campbell, Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear President Michael Montri, Michael Smith of NXG Youth Motorsports, and Julius Curry, founder of Michigan based Curry Motorsports. Together, they discussed motorsports culture in Detroit, the growth of Racing Day and the importance of youth development and diversity in racing.
Adding to the day’s motorsports theme, Racing Day celebrated race cars with deep Detroit Grand Prix ties. Adjacent to the indoor GP track, the Detroit GP interactive display featured Team Penske’s No. 2 Hitachi Chevrolet, driven by Josef Newgarden to victory at the 2019 Detroit Grand Prix, and the No. 31 Whelen Cadillac V Series.R, winner of major IMSA events including the 2025 Battle on the Bricks and Petit Le Mans. For younger fans, an interactive Indy car allowed children 12 and under to sit inside for photos, and actual Team Penske race transporter served as a dramatic backdrop to the display.
Additionally, the Huntington Place concourse featured a special Detroit Grand Prix display showcasing an Indy car and a high tech sports car like those that will compete in next summer’s Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear. Fans could get an up close look at the No. 7 Porsche Penske Motorsport Porsche 963 – winner of the 2025 Rolex 24 at Daytona – and the Detroit Grand Prix INDYCAR, a Dallara chassis complete with the advanced aeroscreen used in NTT INDYCAR SERIES competition.
These elements complemented other fan favorite installations such as the Firestone tire wall, interactive victory podium and historical legacy cubes chronicling Detroit Grand Prix history. Together, the driver meet and greets, indoor track ride alongs, panel discussion, historic race car displays, youth focused programming from NXG Motorsports, and hands on demonstrations created a dynamic celebration of speed, innovation, and Detroit’s proud racing heritage – cementing Racing Day as one of the true highlights of the 2026 Detroit Auto Show.
