Iowa Speedway

Iowa Speedway is a 7/8-mile (1.4 km) paved oval motor racing track in Newton, Iowa, United States, approximately 30 mi east of Des Moines. The track was designed with influence from Rusty Wallace and patterned after Richmond Raceway, a short track where Wallace was very successful. It has over 25,000 permanent seats as well as a unique multi-tiered Recreational Vehicle viewing area along the backstretch, The track has periodically been rumored as a candidate for a Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race, in 2013 a bill to allow $8 million in upgrades to the Speedway, toward that goal began circling in the Iowa Legislative. Iowa Speedway will get it’s Cup Series race on June 6, 2021, replacing Michigan International Speedway‘s June event. the NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series will also race there in the same weekend, with the headliner being the Casey’s General Stores 400.

History
The track opened in September 2006 with the Soy Biodiesel 250, won by Woody Howard, for the USAR Hooters Pro Cup Four Champions playoff. The Indy Racing League announced a race there on June 24, 2007, the Iowa Corn Indy 250, which was won by Dario Franchitti, who barely nipped Marco Andretti at the finish line. The track also secured a combined NASCAR Camping World East-West race where results counted towards both series' championships. That race delivered a dramatic battle between 17-year-old Joey Logano from the Busch East Series, who defeated Daytona 500 champion Kevin Harvick, 1998 West Series champion, who represented the West Series at the end of the race. The track was awarded a NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race and a NASCAR Nationwide Series race in 2009.

The track has periodically been rumored as a candidate for a Monster Energy Cup Series race; in 2013 a bill to allow $8 million in upgrades to the speedway toward that goal began circulating in the Iowa legislature.

Ownership changes
On July 5, 2011 it was announced that the Manatt family, builders and primary owners of the Iowa Speedway through the holding company U.S. Motorsports Corporation, had sold their majority interest to the Clement family, owners of Featherlite Incorporated. "It was our privilege to help build the track five years ago, and like a proud parent, we've enjoyed watching it thrive and grow," said company president Brad Manatt. Featherlite Incorporated already has a long-standing relationship with NASCAR. Many race teams use Featherlite Trailers and Featherlite Coaches for the transport of cars and staff. Rusty Wallace will remain a minority owner in the track.

Following news of financial issues at the track, the facility was purchased by NASCAR by November 2013.

Other events
The facility also hosts several driving schools year-round, such as the Rusty Wallace Racing Experience and The Formula Experience, where visitors have the opportunity to experience the speedway from behind the wheel of a race car.

Track length
The track length is disputed by the two major series that run at Iowa. The NASCAR timing and scoring use a length of 0.875 mi. The IRL timing and scoring use a length of 0.894 mi.

Current

 * IndyCar Series – Iowa Corn Indy 300 (July)
 * NASCAR Xfinity Series
 * CircuitCity.com 250 (June)
 * U.S. Cellular 250 (July)
 * NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series – M&M's 200 (June)
 * ARCA Racing Series – Iowa ARCA 150 (July)
 * NASCAR K&N Pro Series East and West (July)

Former

 * NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series – Fan Appreciation 200
 * Grand Am Rolex Sports Car Series
 * USAC Silver Crown
 * Road to Indy