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Detroit Road Trip with peek at Grand Prix Progress

Took a quick trip downtown on Saturday – stopped by Eastern Market, checked out the progress at the train station in Corktown…but most importantly swung by the new downtown setup…

Detroit GP

Took a quick trip downtown on Saturday - stopped by Eastern Market, checked out the progress at the train station in Corktown...but most importantly swung by the new downtown setup for this years Detroit Grand Prix (June 2-4th)

I couldn't get into the new dual pit lane (hard working men and women were putting together the hospitality suites). But you're going to have drivers going left AND right when they enter by the Port Atwater garage).

work on main drag Detroit GP

The visuals along the Detroit River are amazing as well. I was thinking of all the times we've done "Rockin On Tbe Riverfront" by the Wintergarden at the RenCen...and now the glorious noise of race cars echoing off the glass and over the Detroit River...are you kidding me?

Detroit GP stands

I honestly didn't understand the scope of what's happening for this track. Even turning out onto Jefferson and looking at the long straight - it's incredible (and the visuals are going to blow people away). I caught this angle along Franklin looking back the RenCen (the cars will actually be coming towards you - with the finish line)

Detroit GP

I wanted to take a moment to say thanks to the Detroit Grand Prix. They're taking a chance on me and i'll be one of the official track announcers for this years race. This is truly a bucket list moment (to say i'm nervous would be an understatement). My love of Indy Car goes back to my fifth birthday (yes, we had cars back then Ryan). My dad worked at a gas station in Orange County, California and one day he came home with an autograph from Bobby Unser.

From that day on I sat in front of the TV every May and watched the Indy 500 - rooting for Bobby and the Unser family. Over time I came to fall in love with names like Andretti, Mears, Johncock, Foyt, Danny Ongaisis, Sneva...and the new generation like Newgarden, O'Ward, Power, Herta, Rahal, etc.

Indy Car has been part of my life for a long time. This return to downtown Detroit gives me same goosebumps I got as a kid with my Bobby Unser autograph (I remember the Olsonite Eagle).

To quote my friend Leigh Diffey "It's Time To Bring The Action!")

Jim O'Brien is the Host of "Big Jim's House" Morning Show at 94.7 WCSX in Detroit. Jim spent eight years in the U.S. Naval Submarine Service, has appeared on Shark Tank (Man Medals Season 5 Ep. 2), raised over two million dollars for local charities and is responsible for Glenn Frey Drive and Bob Seger Blvd in the Motor City. Jim's relationship with Classic Rock includes considering Bob Seger, Phil Collen from Def Leppard, Wally Palmer of the Romantics and many others good friends. Jim writes about ‘80s movies, cars, weird food trends and “as seen on TikTok” content.