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Iowa's Great Motor Sports Scene

Iowa's Great Motor Sports Scene

Lucy Wyndham
19 April 2019

When someone mentions Iowa motorsports, what normally comes to mind is the 8 mile Iowa Speedway in Newton. At this racing speedway you can have fun watching NASCAR trucks and other vehicles race around the track. Just recently Nascar Xfinity Champion Tyler Reddick and former Iowa Speedway winners made multiple runs in the venue to help Goodyear create the best tire for racing at the Fastest Short Track on the Planet according to an article on the KCCI Des Moines website. However, the action packed atmosphere at Iowa Speedway is not the only thing Iowa has to offer as far as motor racing is concerned.

Iowa’s motorsports shows

Motorsport shows are popular in Iowa and they are proof that Iowan’s not only love watching races but also love to gaze at some famous race cars or trucks. At these shows, race teams, part shops and buyers from the region get to see new products and connect with their suppliers. One of the most popular motorsport shows in Iowa is the Heartland Motorsport Show, which was last held in November 2018 at the Iowa Events Center at 730 Third Street in Des Moines. However, it is the number of motor races that take place in Iowa that show just how popular motor racing is in the state.

Iowa’s Racing Events

On the Iowa Speedway alone there will be six races in 2019 starting from June 15th all the way to July 17th. These races include Nascar Gander Outdoor Truck Series Iowa 200, Nascar Xfinity Series Iowa 250, Arca Racing Series Iowa 150, and Verizon Indycar Series Iowa Corn 300. The last two will be Nascar K&N Pro Series Casey’s General Store 150 and Nascar Xfinity Series U.S. Cellular 250. In addition, the 2020 NASCAR truck series schedule has already been released and one of the Iowa Speedway will play host to some of those races.

New racing Developments for Iowa

Mason City Motor Speedway is also planning to cut the length of their track from half-mile to 3/10th of a mile, and the first race after the renovations will happen in August 11th. The whole renovation is expected to take all summer to complete but they are not really sure when it will be completed according to recent announcements on social media.

Motor speedways renovation is basically like other local construction projects because it involves restoring, or improving the speedway. Speedway renovations involve stuff such as adding a new racing surface, changing the dirt on the track edges and also improving or securing the spectator stands and more. Track renovation and maintenance is important because it helps prevent serious accidents during racing events. The future of Iowa motor racing is having the Cup Series in Iowa Speedway in Newton if the speedway’s new president, David Hyatt, has his way.

He made that confession to the Des Moines Register back in July 2018. To be fair, he did say that he wasn’t sure when it would happen. So all Iowans have to do is wait.