DETROIT – Downtown Detroit transformed into a high-speed playground as thousands of racing enthusiasts gathered for day two of the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix, marking a historic return to the city’s streets.
Racing fans lined the 1.7-mile downtown street circuit, which features nine challenging turns winding through the heart of the Motor City.
The course, stretching along Jefferson Avenue and incorporating tight turns through Bates Street, Atwater Street, and Franklin Street, has proven to be a technical challenge for drivers.
---> Tickets, event schedule, parking info and more: Your guide to the 2025 Detroit Grand Prix
Fan experience takes center stage
“It’s amazing. The views are awesome,” said spectator Ciara Byrd, who brought her son for their first Grand Prix experience. “I wanted to bring my son and have this first-time experience with him.”
The event’s accessibility has been a key focus for organizers.
Letty Azar, VP of Community and Government Affairs for the Detroit Grand Prix, emphasized the inclusive nature of the event.
“All of our fan-activation areas are open for free as well. That’s [the] Riverwalk, Hart Plaza, Woodward, Campus Martius – so there’s a lot of fun to be had with a ticket or without.”
Drivers face technical challenge
For drivers like Louis Delétraz of the IMSA SportsCar Championship Series, competing in the Cadillac Wayne Taylor Racing No. 40, the stakes are particularly high.
“It is a big day. It’s a home race for Cadillac. We’re on home turf so we want to do well,” Delétraz said.
Urban racing experience
The downtown location has created a unique atmosphere that resonates with spectators.
“They do such a good job of making it feel like a part of the city and also so accessible... you get to see so much which is really cool,” Aanya Shah said.
The circuit’s design incorporates Detroit’s iconic skyline as a backdrop, offering spectators various vantage points to watch the action, from grandstands to rooftop viewing areas.
The Grand Prix continues through Sunday, with gates opening at 8 a.m. For ticket information and schedule details, click here.
