"Last year was our best season, and so far this year, through three races, we're above last year's record attendance."

There are several reasons for the growing interest, tops on the list being that "this is racing the way it was originally intended to be ... manufacturer versus manufacturer, tire company versus tire company, driver versus driver," he said.

"There are also no spec cars or motors, where all the cars and all the engines are the same. Other forms of auto racing have become homogenized. We have more true manufacturers than Formula 1, Indy Car and NASCAR combined. We've got five tire companies competing head-to-head. And, instead of building a faster race car simply for the fact of being faster, ultimately the goal is to make a better consumer product."

All of this research and development eventually filters down from race car to the family car. For example, the Corvette team is running its cars on cellulosic ethanol. It has zero food content and is a byproduct of wood waste.

Making his racing debut as a team owner will be Gil De Ferran, two-time CART champion and past Indianapolis 500 winner. He has started his own team and will enter an Acura ARX-01b in LMP2. De Ferran Motorsports has tested at Sebring International Raceway and Miller Motorsports Park.

Where Le Mans and Sebring are very long endurance events, the race at the Motorsports Park is considered an endurance sprint. Cars and drivers will push the limits of the track and their respective cars as far as they can.

The cars to beat in the top LMP1 class have been the diesel-powered Audis. Atherton said recent pushes by manufacturers have narrowed the gap and, in fact, some are outperforming the diesel cars.

Testing will begin on Friday at 2 p.m. Practices will start Saturday at 10:20 a.m., with qualifying starting at 3 p.m. The championship race will begin at 1 p.m. on Sunday.

For more information, or to purchase tickets, call 435-277-7223 or visit www.MillerMotorsportsPark.com.