NASCAR, one of the most famous auto races in the world, has licenses for more than 1,500 events on more than 100 circuits. NASCAR is one of the most exciting sports because of the vehicles’ incredible speed, which genuinely elevates your blood pressure when they hit the track, the drivers’ unwavering desire to win, and the fans’ fervent support.
As the NASCAR circuit travels from one track to another across numerous states, race car enthusiasts follow it everywhere. People who can’t attend a NASCAR race like to watch the races on TV in order to catch up.
Iowa is a state that has produced many drivers for NASCAR. Clutchbet ranked the greatest Nascar drivers from Iowa if you want to check it later.
When it comes to NASCAR aficionados whose hometown belongs to the state of Iowa, a big question is asked: Is there a NASCAR race in Iowa?
About the Iowa Speedway
The state of Iowa counts with the Iowa Speedway, a 7/8-mile (1.4 km) paved oval racetrack located about 30 mi (48 km) east of Des Moines. It was designed with input from well-known NASCAR-star-turned-commentator Rusty Wallace.
The tri-oval is 60 feet wide and has turns with compound banking of 12 to 14 degrees. The backstretch has 4 degrees of banking, while the front stretch has 10 degrees. Unusually, a two-tiered RV viewing area overlooks the backstretch, increasing the capacity to about 40,000 spectators.
The Hy-Vee IndyCar Race Weekend, which has been hosted annually in July since its first edition in 2007, is the track’s marquee event.
Construction history
After the City of Newton rejected a $1.7 million contract to build roads to the circuit, a brief delay was caused at the start of the $50 million facility’s construction in late 2005. Before committing to paying for the roads, the council had insisted on guarantees that Manatt’s Inc., the construction company, had the required cash in place.
This decision grew frustration within the U.S. racetrack developers’ documentation for proof of financing. However, the crisis was averted when Brad Manatt, the president of Manoco Corp, the parent business of the construction company, sent a letter to the mayor. He said that the development had been funded with a loan from Wells Fargo Bank, and that the agreement will soon be confirmed by formal paperwork.
As work on the site continued, employees laid 180,000 tons of rock all around it. The speedway was the first track to have a second-generation safety barrier that does not have a concrete wall behind the energy-absorbing structure. It was also the first track to have the SAFER Barrier erected around its complete perimeter. Late in July 2006, the racing surface’s paving was finished.
The Soy Biodiesel 250 was the circuit’s inaugural race in September. With Woody Howard’s victory, the USAR Hooters Pro Cup Four Champions playoff was established. Rusty’s son Steve Wallace won the ARCA Racing Series championship in the season’s penultimate race.
The Iowa Speedway in the present
Even though NASCAR owns the Iowa Speedway, Penske Entertainment and Hy-Vee, the sponsor of the race weekend, have completely transformed the track. In fact, the track offers a number of driving schools year-round, including a location of the renowned Richard Petty Driving Experience, where guests may experience the speedway while seated behind the wheel of a stock car.
Unfortunately, as of today, Iowa Speedway no longer hosts NASCAR races. However, that might change. Fans have been asking for a NASCAR Cup Series date in Iowa for a while, even if it won’t be for the 2023 season.
Despite the fact that it may not be as simple to just state that NASCAR should move back to Iowa, this is something that must be done as soon as possible because it should never have left in the first place.