Iowa Speedway to Host NASCAR Nationwide Series Race 8/19/2008

(Newton, IA) - It’s official. NASCAR has selected Iowa Speedway as the site of a Nationwide Series race in 2009. Rusty Wallace, ABC/ESPN announcer and former NASCAR champion made the announcement at a morning news conference in Newton, Iowa.

Wallace, flanked by Iowa Speedway and Nationwide executives, ended months of speculation by announcing August 1, 2009, as the race date for the 250 lap Nationwide Series race to be held on the 7/8 mile oval track designed by Wallace. An exact time for the race has not been set.

“NASCAR’s selection of Iowa Speedway as a site for a Nationwide race next year, in only our third full year of competitive racing, is an honor and a privilege,” Wallace said, “and it’s also the result of a lot of hard work by the staff here in Iowa – and our Nationwide partners who helped us secure a race here in Newton. It’s a great day for Iowa Speedway, for Nationwide, for NASCAR, and especially, for racing fans throughout the country”.

“Iowa Speedway is a new facilty that is already very popular with fans in that part of the country and will; be a great match for the NASCAR Nationwide Series,” said NASCAR President Mike Helton. “The track has successfully hosted NASCAR Camping World Series events and we expect to see great racing there on August 1 for the inaugural NASCAR Nationwide Series race”.

Nationwide officials also spoke favorably about Iowa Speedway as a new venue for the series they sponsor:

"As title sponsor of the NASCAR Nationwide Series and an active member of the local community, Nationwide is pleased NASCAR has chosen to place a Nationwide Series race at Iowa Speedway," said John Aman, Associate Vice President, Strategic Sponsorships. "Iowa Speedway is definitely a first rate facility and we are looking forward to sharing in the excitement of the NASCAR Nationwide Series with our 4,000 associates in Des Moines area, along with the entire state of Iowa."

Talks between Iowa Speedway and NASCAR have been ongoing, according to Wallace, and NASCAR teams and drivers who have already tested at the track have praised it as safe and fast.

Wallace teamed with Iowa Speedway CEO Stan Clement in securing the race date with NASCAR. “We’re elated at today’s announcement,” Clement said, “and look forward to some of the best racing in the country right here in Iowa. NASCAR and Nationwide are top-notch organizations and we’re proud to be associated with two world-class organizations”.

The entire 2009 schedule, including ticket prices and on sale dates, will be available in September. Continue to check iowaspeedway.com for ticket information, or sign up for Iowa Speedway's Fan Club to receive the latest news from Iowa Speedway.

Thats cool! I'm sure it may lead to bigger and better things, especially with the stands at the cup races showing a little elbow room for the double booked races. So when do we get our Musco booth tickets?

No kidding! I am in line for some of them too!

This is awesome! I plan to attend this race in the very near future.

So did anyone get to the Nationwide race at Iowa?
What were your thoughts?

My dad and I went to the race, that was the 4th race he and I had been to together and the 6th time I have been there.

We had hospitality tickets and a parking passes for the tents over by the main office area so we parked there and walked up. We had lunch and drank a few beers and then took the tram down to the fan walk, which was pretty cool, but congested. We walked up to main entrance from there as the line was huge to get back on the tram.
We walked around up by the Cheverolet trailer and all the merchandise trailers, and then headed into the track.

Dad and I took advantage of the 6 beers and a cooler for 30 bucks deal, and went back for the refill one time. That was the best deal in the house if ya ask me!!

The race itself was great, with multiple lines of racing. The last 5 laps where very exciting as Keselowski took the lead from Kyle Busch, whom I can't stand


We headed to the truck immediatley after the race and where headed east on I-80 within 1 hour after the checkers.
I can't say enough about this facility, I sure hope it continues to grow! I had tickets to the truck race too, but couldn't make the show.

Here are some pics I took.

Those are some nice looking pics Trav. Don't think I saw them.

Cool pics Trav, I think I saw a MUSCO light or name in everyone!

Thanks guys, I took these round about the time our home computer had a major meltdown, and I just so happened to have my memory stick here at work with me today.

Your prolly right B, there is 667 fixtures on a 7/8 mile track, you might see 1 or 2

I'm actually in the Victory Lane picture with my back to the camera.
Top row inside victory lane, red shirt, white hat, and one hand on the rail behind me.

Glad you had fun! I hope to see you at the speedway someday.