An Evening of Impact

The Checkered Flag Ball takes place annually during American Speed Festival to raise funds for our transportation initiative in the Pontiac community, helping to drive change.

Leaders from all over metro Detroit gather to give back. The City of Pontiac has over twice the national average of households without access to vehicles. The Checkered Flag Ball supports the Pontiac Community Foundation through M1 Mobility, providing rides to almost 20,000 people in need. Rides include transportation we might take for granted – a trip to the grocery store, a visit to a medical appointment, as well as after-school and educational programs, etc.

Checkered Flag Ball

Master of Motorsports

Join us for an exhilarating night at the 5th Annual Checkered Flag Ball, proudly presented by Checkered Flag Challenge—the philanthropic heartbeat of M1 Concourse. This year, M1 welcomes the two-time winner of the Indianapolis 500, racing legend, Al Unser, Jr., who will be celebrated as the 2025 Master of Motorsports award recipient. The Ball will include:

Celebration of Motorsports
An Evening of Elegance
Culinary Delights
Live Entertainment

Exclusive Access. Iconic Cars.
Only at the

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DATE:

October

04

-

04

,

2025

10/4/2025

6:00 pm

-

11:00 pm

LOCATION:

45399 Woodward Avenue Pontiac, MI 48341

About

Day by day

2 women racers posing by their race cars. One car is a Ferrari and the other car is a Radical.

American Speed Festival

Motorsports in action

Enjoy this spectacular tribute to the power, precision, and passion of motorsports. Set against the backdrop of the M1 Circuit and private garage community, this multi-day festival brings together legendary race cars, celebrated drivers, and the next generation of automotive innovation.

With something for the entire family, there is no other event in the country where you can get this close to historic and modern race cars, rare classics, and groundbreaking prototypes.  Feel the roar as cars take to the track for high-speed demonstration runs, stroll the paddock to inspect every detail, and meet the drivers and engineers behind the machines.

Traveling Trophy

Borg-Warner Trophy at M1 Concourse

See the famous Indianapolis 500 Borg-Warner Trophy at the Checkered Flag Ball during American Speed Festival. The trophy that almost never travels is making a homecoming visit to be on stage with Al Unser, Jr., as he accepts the Master of Motorsports award.

M1 Mobility

Transportation for Pontiac

In 2021, Checkered Flag Challenge and Pontiac Community Foundation created a joint initiative called M1 Mobility to address transportation on a systemic level in the City of Pontiac. The goal of M1 Mobility is to ensure all residents in the City of Pontiac have equitable access to transportation, especially children, families, and seniors in the community. Watch Video

HOTEL partner

Marriott

3600 Centerpoint Parkway, Pontiac USA Michigan 48341

parking information

Woodward lot | gate 1

Park her for:

  • Main Lot

  • Signed Deliveries

  • General Visitors

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south lot | walkthrough gate 2

Park here for:

  • Special Events

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Pavilion Lot | Gate 1

Park here for:

  • Pavilion Events

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Paddock Lot | Gate 2

Park here for:

  • Regular Activities

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Private Garages | Gate 3

Park here for:

  • Private Garage Access

  • Owners and Invite Only

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administrative offices | gate 4

Park here for:

  • Admin Use Only

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