Take A Ride Around The Improved Detroit Grand Prix Race Course (Video)

By Edward Cardenas

DETROIT (CBS Detroit) - Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix officials unveiled improvements to the race course and the island Tuesday, and provided hot laps to members of media and others.

In just over a week, drivers will take to the Raceway at Belle Isle for a series of eight races, including the Chevrolet Dual in Detroit presented by Quicken Loans featuring Verizon IndyCar drivers.

When drivers and fans descend on the island they will find more than $5 million in improvements to the course and the island.

Race organizers added 1.5 miles of concrete to the track - which makes it almost entirely concrete and favorable for record breaking speeds - in addition to new walkways, new trails, and better drainage in the picnic areas for fans. There is also new LED lighting across the MacArthur bridge and the Scott Fountain is once again operational.

"If it wasn't for the race being on Belle Isle, those improvements would not have been made," said Bud Decker, chairman of the Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix.

The Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix returns to Detroit May 29-31 and will feature the cars from the Verizon IndyCar Series, the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship, the Pirelli World Challenge Series and the trucks of the SPEED Energy Formula Off-Road Presented by Traxxas.

Headlining the weekend of racing is the Chevrolet Dual in Detroit presented by Quicken Loans IndyCar doubleheader. Both of these races will nationally broadcast.

Will Power, the 2014 Series Champion for Team Penske and defending Chevrolet Dual in Detroit presented by Quicken Loans race winner, was one of the drivers who got a preview Tuesday of the course.

"They have widened some areas to help create passing and smooth the track out," Power said. "It is a better track."

With the increased profile of the race, there has also been a 30 percent increase in sponsors, with 70 sponsors for the race this year. Additionally, all of last year's sponsors returned this year.

One of the new sponsors this year is American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc., which sponsored Tuesday's hot lap preview on Belle Isle.

Nigel Francis, vice president, electrification systems for AAM, said the sponsorship gives the company an opportunity to welcome customers and increase awareness of the Detroit-based company which produces driveline and drivetrain systems and related components for light trucks, SUVs, passenger cars, crossover vehicles and commercial vehicles.

"This is a great opportunity to showcase our technologies," said Francis, who added that motor sport is a key driver of technology in the industry.