Rusty Wallace runs out of gas in bid for Iowa Speedway funding: Despite personal lobbying by NASCAR great Rusty Wallace, a legislative bid to provide an $8 million state appropriation to the Iowa Speedway at Newton may have run out of gas at the Iowa Statehouse. Iowa House Speaker Kraig Paulsen, R-Hiawatha, said Wednesday there aren't enough votes in the Republican-controlled House to include the speedway money in a major state spending bill that could be voted on soon as lawmakers push for adjournment of their 2013 legislative session. "It doesn't have the support, correct," Paulsen said. The Democratic-led Iowa Senate agreed last week to provide the $8 million to the track over the next four years to upgrade its facilities in an effort to bring NASCAR's top circuit to Newton. But the measure can't win final approval without the support of the Iowa House. Wallace personally met with Iowa lawmakers on Tuesday at the Iowa Statehouse in an effort to win approval for the state appropriation. However, when a Des Moines Register reporter attempted to sit on one of Wallace's meetings with Iowa Senate members, he was told by a senator he couldn't attend. Wallace, an Iowa Speedway designer and minority owner, said last week the state appropriation would help the Iowa Speedway's efforts to land a date on the coveted Sprint Cup Series calendar. Wallace said the money could help the Speedway expand its permanent seating from 25,000 to 60,000 and "improve the infrastructure around the track to get it in shape for a Cup race." Sen. William Dotzler, D-Waterloo, a proponent of the $8 million state appropriation and a season ticket holder at the Iowa Speedway, said Wednesday that Paulsen has told him he doesn't have enough House members speaking up in favor of the Newton track. "I know that there are people who are in favor of it who are encouraging members to speak up. So we are still hopeful enough people come to the speaker and talk directly with him about it," Dotzler said. "It is a mistake not to fund the track because when you get that next level race, it could mean $100 million per race of money into the state of Iowa. So the return on investment is huge. But nothing is over until it is over."(Des Moines Register)(5-24-2013)

Possible Funding to expand Iowa Speedway, Cup race?: A major expansion of the Iowa Speedway in Newton, IA could hinge on whether state lawmakers approve $8 million in additional funding. State Representative Dan Kelley, a Newton Democrat, hopes to convince lawmakers to put public dollars behind the project. Thursday afternoon, Kelley said the Speedway wants to lure a Sprint Cup series race to town. To help those efforts, the Speedway would use the public money to expand its current 40,000 seat capability to up to 100,000, the crowd size the Sprint Cup series race could attract. Kelley said, "We're bringing a sports entity that is at its highest level to the state of Iowa. We have many sporting opportunities for fans in the state that are just wonderful. We have the I-Cubs, the Barnstormers, Iowa Hawkeye fans and Cyclone fans and so forth. This is the highest level of motorsport in the world. That's what we're fighting for today." Channel 13 has also learned if state lawmakers reach a deal on the extra funding for the Speedway that would also open up a potentially even bigger deal. Sources close to the deal say an outside group is interested in bringing even more dollars to the project to develop the area around the Speedway. Current Speedway owner and racing legend, Rusty Wallace, had plans to develop that area in the past but never pulled off the deal. Sources say this new outside group would have a better chance of accomplishing that goal. (whotv.com)(5-20-2013)

Iowa Senate passes bill that would help Speedway fund improvments: An appropriations bill approved by the Iowa Senate includes $8 million in state money spread over four years for the Iowa Speedway at Newton to upgrade the track's facilities to attract NASCAR Sprint Cup races. The track money was included in the so-called standings appropriations bill passed by the Senate on Tuesday night. The special appropriation received no debate, although Sen. William Dotzler, D-Waterloo, who pushed for the funding, said Wednesday that both the Democratic and Republican caucuses were aware the track money had been inserted into the spending package. The legislation says the state money would be appropriated to the Iowa Economic Development Authority for the development and promotion of a national sporting event at the automobile racetrack location in the City of Newton. The Newton speedway has already hosted the Camping World Truck Series and the NASCAR Nationwide Race, but Sprint Cup races would be "the big Kahuna" for the facility, Dotzler said. Those races could draw more than 100,000 fans and nationwide media coverage for one of the most popular events in the country,he said. But the track would need to expand its stands, restrooms, and concession stands and make other upgrades to offer the next-level races, Dotzler said. The $8 million state appropriation would be provided to the Newton speedway in increments of $2 million for four years, starting in fiscal year 2014.(Des Moines Register)(5-9-2013)

Iowa Governor honors NASCAR Hall of Famer Rusty Wallace: Iowa Governor Terry Branstad honored NASCAR Hall of Famer Rusty Wallace with a State Proclamation in a special ceremony Wednesday afternoon, February 27, at the Capitol building in Des Moines. Speaking on the main floor of the historic State Capitol Rotunda, Governor Branstad commended Wallace for his contributions to the state of Iowa as designer and part owner of the Iowa Speedway in Newton, and to the sport of NASCAR racing nationwide. "As Governor of Iowa, I am very proud to honor Rusty Wallace with this Proclamation today," Branstad said. "His many contributions to NASCAR racing have earned him a well-deserved induction to NASCAR's Hall of Fame, and his forward-thinking design of Iowa Speedway helped to create a destination in central Iowa that benefits every Iowan. Rusty may have been born in Missouri, but we will always claim him as one of our own." Wallace expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support he has received from Iowans all across the state, and specifically to Governor Branstad for the official Proclamation. "I am humbled and honored that Governor Branstad made time to recognize me today with an official Proclamation," Wallace said. "As an 'Honorary Iowan', I couldn't be more proud of this great state, or of the racetrack we have in Newton, and I look forward to being here for as many Iowa Speedway events as possible." Wallace, whose post-racing career combines a busy ABC/ESPN broadcast schedule, managing his son Steven's NASCAR Nationwide Series race team, overseeing his auto dealership interests and fundraising for the charitable NASCAR Foundation, nevertheless finds ample time to promote Iowa Speedway.
"Rusty is without a doubt our best promoter," said Iowa Speedway President and co-owner Stan Clement. "He literally goes out of his way to be here whenever possible. Rusty gladly does media interviews, greets fans, and spends time with our promotional partners. Certainly he is deserving of this official Proclamation, as well as his recent induction into the NASCAR Hall of Fame." Iowa Speedway is a state-of-the-art 7/8 mile asphalt paved tri-oval race track and motorsports facility located just 30 miles east of Des Moines at I-80 Exit 168 in Newton, Iowa. The track is owned and operated by U.S. Motorsport Corporation and designed by NASCAR Hall of Famer Rusty Wallace, now an anchor and analyst for ABC-TV/ESPN. Call 1-866-RUSTY-GO, or visit www.iowaspeedway.com to learn more.(Iowa Speedway)(3-1-2013)

American Ethanol to sponsor Iowa Truck race: Growth Energy's American Ethanol brand will again be the title sponsor for Iowa Speedway's Camping World Truck Series race, the American Ethanol 200, on Saturday evening, July 13. The event on the Newton facility's 7/8-mile, Rusty Wallace designed tri-oval will feature up to 34 trucks in a 200-lap, high-speed duel.(Iowa Speedway PR)(2-14-2013)

Fan appreciation highlights trucks race weekend at Iowa: UPDATE Rusty Wallace on hand for event: Iowa Speedway officials announced that the final race weekend of the 2012 season, Friday and Saturday, September 14-15, will have a 'Fan Appreciation' theme, offering race goers a rare glimpse 'behind the scenes' at a major motorsports event, among several new fan attractions. Special fan amenities, including access to the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Driver's Meeting, conducted under the north grandstands on Saturday afternoon, and a random draw to send ten fans at each event to Victory Lane, and additional groups of ten on special garage tours, as well as 'meet and greets' with NASCAR and ASA officials -- including NASCAR Truck Series Director Wayne Auton and ASA President Dennis Huth -- will highlight the 'Fan Appreciation' weekend theme. Two concerts -- post-race on Friday evening with Iowa rockers 'Wikid Likir', and pre-race on Saturday afternoon with the legendary country music band 'The Lost Trailers' -- are also designed to enhance the overall fan experience. In addition, a special 'Pigskin Pub' tent will be set up near the concert stage, with big screen televisions to view the Iowa-Northern Iowa and Iowa State-Western Illinois games on Saturday afternoon and evening.(Iowa Speedway PR)(9-5-2012)
UPDATE: is scheduled to be on hand at Iowa Speedway on Saturday, September 15. 2012 for a special fan tribute leading up to the track's NASCAR Camping World Truck Series 200-lap race. Wallace is scheduled to participate in several activities surrounding the race events.(Iowa Speedway PR) [For details, see the Jayski Driver Appearances page.](9-5-2012)

Iowa announces 2013 race dates; May NNS Race moves: The 2013 Iowa Speedway schedule of events will highlight six major weekends, including feature racing events on four Saturdays and a Sunday afternoon, and the second annual Iowa Grand Motorcycle Rally on a Friday through Sunday. Date changes for the 2013 season include the first NASCAR Nationwide Series event, which is moving from the third weekend of May to Saturday, June 8, and the second NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race, moving from a mid-September Saturday night to Sunday afternoon, September 8. The Iowa Grand Motorcycle Rally will also change dates, coming to Newton on Friday, May 31  Sunday, June 2 instead of late July. The 2013 Racing Schedule will feature two NASCAR Nationwide Series' races, two NASCAR Camping World Truck Series' races, and a visit from the IZOD IndyCar Series, with over 1,000 laps of high-speed action on tap over a busy four-month racing season. The 2013 Iowa Speedway Schedule will include the following weekends: May 31-June 2  Iowa Grand Motorcycle Rally; June 7-8  Pioneer Hi-Bred 250 NASCAR Nationwide Series weekend; June 21-22  Iowa Corn Indy 250 IZOD IndyCar Series weekend; July 12-13  NASCAR Camping World Truck Series 200 weekend; August 2-3  U.S. Cellular 250 presented by the Enlist" Weed Control System NASCAR Nationwide Series weekend; September 7-8  NASCAR Camping World Truck Series 200 weekend.(Iowa Speedway)(8-29-2012)

Armstrong named as Director of Communications at Iowa: Craig Armstrong, who has been the general manager and promoter of I-44 Speedway in Lebanon, Missouri for the past 14 months, will now be spear-heading the communications efforts at the 7/8 mile Iowa Speedway. Doug Fritz, CEO of Iowa Speedway, said Armstrong has always been successful in the motorsports industry and looks forward to him joining the Iowa Speedway team. Armstrong, who was with Iowa Speedway from 2006-2010, also expressed his enthusiasm about coming back to the Newton area. "I couldn't be happier to be returning to my' home track', and to my own home in Newton," Armstrong said. "Iowa Speedway is widely recognized as one of the top motorsports entertainment facilities in North America, and I'm excited for this tremendous opportunity."(Iowa Speedway)(6-3-2012)

American Ethanol to sponsor both Iowa truck races: Officials from American Ethanol and Iowa Speedway are excited to announce that both NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races, the first one being on July 14 and second being on September 15, now have an entitlement sponsor  the America Ethanol 200, July 14; the American Ethanol 200, September 15. In September of 2011, it was announced that Iowa Speedway would add another NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race for the 2012 season. The July 14 American Ethanol 200 race weekend will also feature the Prairie Meadows 200 ARCA race on Friday night, July 13. The September 15 event weekend will be accompanied by the ASA Midwest Tour series on the September 14th.(Iowa Speedway PR)(5-20-2012)

Iowa Speedway forms Fan Council: Iowa Speedway officials have announced a brand new fan initiative to continually improve the overall fan experience - the 2012 Fan Advisory Council. The 2012 Fan Advisory Council will be the first of its kind at Iowa Speedway. Doug Fritz, CEO of Iowa Speedway, said nothing was off limits with the Fan Advisory Council. "Members of our 2012 Fan Advisory Council include general season ticket holders, campers, suite holders, and Newton Club members. We want them to take notes on everything all while enjoying the events taking place." Leading the Fan Advisory Council will be Iowa Speedway's director of ticketing, Jason Christofferson. The 2012 Fan Advisory Council's first meeting will be held Saturday, May 19 in conjunction with the first race weekend at Iowa Speedway.(Iowa Speedway)(5-15-2012)

Pizza Ranch to Sponsor Iowa Victory Lane Through 2013: Pizza Ranch, the popular Midwest pizza and chicken buffet restaurant, has renewed its sponsorship of Pizza Ranch Victory Lane and will continue to deliver a winning pizza to every driver who visits it at Iowa Speedway through the 2013 season. "We are extremely proud of the fact that we have helped create a tradition at Iowa Speedway," said Cody Pierce, vice president of marketing for Pizza Ranch. "Everyone knows there will be pizza after the race. From fans and teams to drivers and series officials, everyone enjoys this delivery after the race." Pizza Ranch Victory Lane lets a fan get right in the celebration with the winning team, which is located in the middle of the Casey's General Store Fan Walk. Fan walk tickets are free for season ticket holders, and it also allows some of the best access to your favorite drivers in all of motorsports.(Iowa Speedway)(3-30-2012)

Iowa Speedway ownership dispute: Last summer's ownership change at Iowa Speedway in Newton has sparked a still-escalating court battle between two Iowa families, with charges in each direction involving unpaid bills and contractual breaches. Jasper County court papers allege that Manaco Corp. and Manatt's Inc., corporate arms of the family that built Newton's racetrack, stiffed the new buyers for more than $1.8 million in unpaid bills when the speedway changed hands last June. The new owners, a corporation formed by members of the Clement family, say they in turn have been accused of defaulting on the deal because they held back on scheduled payments to the Manatt family because of the unpaid bills. Documents say the Manatts have threatened to file their own lawsuit against Conrad Clement, the founder of Featherlite Corp., a since-sold Cresco company that makes trailers, and three of his relatives if the Manatts aren't paid in full within 10 days. The latest version of the lawsuit, a 64-page document filed this week by Des Moines attorney Scott Brennan, alleges that the Clements were stuck with nearly $1.85 million in unpaid bills after the speedway changed hands on June 30, 2011  despite a provision in the purchase contract that required the Manatts to pay any outstanding debts. To compensate, the new owners (who financed some of the $19 million purchase with loans from Manaco) paid only $152,588.37 as part of the scheduled payoff of a $2 million loan that was due Dec. 31. The lawsuit does not involve Rusty Wallace, who continues to own roughly 8% of the speedway.(more at the Des Moines Register)(2-11-2012)

Iowa Speedway adds two staff members: Iowa Speedway welcomes two new members to its marketing team. Tami Hansen is the new Director of Marketing. She previously led promotional efforts at Meskwaki Bingo Casino Hotel in Tama, IA. Jenny Will will assist her as the new Marketing Coordinator. Will has a strong sports marketing background and joins Iowa Speedway from Iowa Energy. Iowa Speedway's season tickets sales push is in full swing. Season tickets start at just $129 and are available by visiting iowaspeedway.com or calling 1-866-RUSTY-GO.(Iowa Speedway)(11-23-2011)

Drive the track at Iowa Speedway: Start your engines, race fans! You can live your dream of driving around Iowa Speedway's famed 7/8-mile oval track between 10 a.m.-noon on Saturday, Nov. 12. Individuals who give a minimum $10 donation to the annual Combat Hunger fundraising event may enter the track's infield through the vehicle tunnel and drive their personal cars, for three laps, around the track. Drive the Track started in 2010 as a part of Combat Hunger's 20th anniversary celebration. Combat Hunger, Iowa's largest two-day food drive, is a collaborative effort among 190 Central Iowa businesses and schools. The event benefits the Food Bank of Iowa, which supplies food and other materials to hundreds of agencies in 42 Iowa counties.(Iowa Speedway)(11-6-2011)

Iowa Speedway Welcomes New Executive Management Team: Doug Fritz, former president of Richmond International Raceway, has been named Chief Executive Officer of Iowa Speedway. Fritz, along with President Stan Clement, will lead Iowa Speedway's long-term strategic initiatives, events and facilities development and capital reinvestments. "Iowa Speedway is one of the fastest-growing entertainment and motorsports venues in the country, and I'm thrilled to be joining their team," says Fritz. "I'm really looking forward to working closely with the loyal race fans and supporters of Iowa Speedway, as well as the staff. Together, we will continue to elevate Iowa Speedway into a premier motorsports destination. The fans will always be our number-one priority, and we will continue to enhance their experience." Conrad Clement, chairman of Iowa Speedway, believes Fritz's industry knowledge will help position the track for record-breaking growth in 2012. Next year's schedule includes two NASCAR Nationwide, two NASCAR Camping World Truck and two NASCAR K&N Pro Series races; plus stops from the IZOD IndyCar, ARCA Series, USAC and ASA Midwest Tour. Season ticket renewal packets are in the mail and are available immediately online at www.iowaspeedway.com. For more information please call 866-RUSTY-GO.(Iowa Speedway)(10-1-2011)

President of Iowa Speedway leaving:Iowa Speedway president Jerry Jauron is resigning after 3½ years. Jauron told The Associated Press on Monday he is leaving to become a general manager at Urbandale, Iowa-based C & L Companies, a motorsports manufacturing company. Jauron oversaw the Iowa Speedway during a period of significant growth with addition of NASCAR Nationwide and Trucks series races. The track's annual IndyCar race also grew into one of the more popular stops on the open-wheel circuit. The 0.875-mile track is set up for its biggest season yet in 2012, with the two Nationwide races, two trucks series events and an IndyCar race on the schedule. Jauron said he's staying on as track president through the middle of October, adding that joining C & L was a "great opportunity" for himself and his family which will also allow him to stay in central Iowa.(Associated Press/ESPN)(9-20-2011)

Iowa Speedway releases 2012 schedule: Iowa Speedway officials on Saturday night unveiled a 2012 schedule that features an extra race weekend and a second NASCAR Camping World Truck Series event. The Camping World Truck Series, which attracted an announced crowd of 24,408 in July for the Coca-Cola 200 at Iowa Speedway, will stage a race on July 14, 2012 and circle back around to Newton for another race on Sept. 15. Race fans could also have two opportunities to watch Danica Patrick next year in her first full-time season on the NASCAR Nationwide circuit. Patrick announced last month that she planned to leave IndyCar in 2012 to race a full Nationwide schedule and part-time on the Sprint Cup series. For the second consecutive year, Iowa Speedway will stage two Nationwide races. The Nationwide series and NASCAR K&N East/West Challenge will race in Newton on May 19-20 and again on Aug. 3-4.(Des Moines Register)(9-18-2011)

Only temporary seating available for Nationwide race at Iowa: Iowa Speedway announced that main grandstand tickets for the U.S. Cellular 250 presented by the Enlist Weed Control System Race are sold out. Fans who still want to attend the race should purchase temporary seating tickets for $55 and $60. The U.S. Cellular 250 presented by Enlist Weed Control Systems Race is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 6. "This is the first season that Iowa Speedway has earned the right to host two stops on the NASCAR Nationwide Series schedule," says President of Iowa Speedway Jerry Jauron. "The first race sold out and this one will too. We're pleased that people enjoy watching great racing at our track."(Iowa Speedway)(7-20-2011)

Racing movie being filmed at Iowa Speedway: Zac Efron and Emmy-nominated actor Dennis Quaid will be at Iowa Speedway in Newton on July 16 taping scenes for an untitled racing movie. Fans are invited to be part of the movie magic. Tickets for the 4:15 p.m. Prairie Meadows 200 ARCA Series race and the 7 p.m. NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Coca-Cola 200 race are on sale for $25 online. Fans purchasing tickets at iowaspeedway.com will be entered into a drawing, and 100 winners will have the chance to participate in the prerace festivities  and could appear in the crowd scenes in the movie. The film is an untitled, Iowa-based movie starring Efron as a rural teen aspiring to become a professional race car driver. Quaid plays Efron's father. Producers will shoot Efron walking across the pre-race stage, Quaid cheering from the stands and racing footage during the Prairie Meadows 200. Film director Ramin Bahrani was called the "director of the decade" in 2010 by film critic Roger Ebert. "I hope fans will take advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see A-list celebrities and be part of a movie," Iowa Speedway president Jerry Jauron said.(Des Moines Register)(7-11-2011)

Iowa Speedway sold: An ownership group headed by Featherlite Trailers owner Conrad Clement and former NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Rusty Wallace has purchased Iowa Speedway from its founders, US Motorsport Entertainment Group. Wallace, who helped design the speedway, told Sirius XM NASCAR Radio's Sirius Speedway with Dave Moody, "We've been working on the sale for about a year. The former owners' core business is road construction. It's what they do, and they're ready to get back to that. We've been talking to them about buying the track for the last six months, and I'm real happy that the deal is finally done. Conrad and Stan Clement have worked their butts off to make this happen, and I'm excited to get to work."
Wallace said the new ownership group "will be in constant pursuit of a (NASCAR Sprint) Cup race. We want one, but also know we can't be too greedy. We started with a K&N Pro Series race a few years ago, and eventually got dates on the Nationwide, Truck and IndyCar Seriesschedules. This track has been so successful, and the fans are wearing us out saying, `When can we get a Cup race?' We want one, for sure, but there are no opportunities out there at the moment to get one. We'll have to have some conversations and shake a few trees to see what's possible? We're not having any conversations at present, and I don't want to mislead people into thinking we are. But things change every day, and we're going to be aggressive about seeing what's possible."
AND Five years ago, Conrad Clement waved the green flag to start a NASCAR East-West Series race at the newly opened Iowa Speedway. He waved some more green at the track last week. Clement, the former president and CEO of Cresco's Featherlite trailer company, was introduced as the key figure in the new primary ownership group of the speedway at a Tuesday news conference. His brother, Stan, and sons, Tracy and Eric, joined him to buy U.S. Motorsports Corp.  the holding company that owns the speedway  effective June 30. Rusty Wallace, the track's designer, remains as a minority partner.The track had been owned by the Manatt family of Brooklyn, Ia., for its first 58 months, but the plan had always been to find new owners within five years, speedway president Jerry Jauron said. That will allow the Manatts to return their attention to their heavy construction company, Manatts Inc.
Clement said the speedway's staff will remain intact, and that the fans should see no difference in their raceday experiences. The next event at the speedway is a NASCAR Camping World Trucks race on July 16. Terms of the sale were not released. Built on 226 acres of farmland, the track had an assessed value of $44 million as of June 2009. The original estimate of the track's worth when it was built was $70 million. The speedway was lauded as a needed financial shot in the arm for Newton, a city of about 15,000 then dealing with the loss of manufacturer Maytag.(more at the Des Moines Register)(7-6-2011)

Group seeks NASCAR Sprint Cup race in Iowa: A group of Iowans have banded together in hopes of bringing a NASCAR Sprint Cup race to the Iowa Speedway in Newton, IA. The Green Flag Alliance, a coalition that includes Newton mayor Chaz Allen, says it's seeking to boost fan interest and sponsorship support in hopes of landing stock car's premier circuit. The group says it's the perfect time for the Speedway to host a Sprint Cup race after landing two lower-tier NASCAR Nationwide races for 2011. The group says that analysis from other markets indicates that a Sprint Cup race can generate as much as $150 million to the local economy.(Associated Press/USA Today)(4-22-2011)

Iowa Speedway expands Fan Walk: Thanks to title sponsorship from Casey's General Store, Iowa Speedway's popular Fan Walk is set to become a longer and more exciting journey. The Casey's General Store Fan Walk presented by Mello Yello spans the entire length of Pit Road - and for the first time will extend to the area previously occupied by the infield grandstands. The sights, smells and sounds of top-level racing will merge with interactive displays where fans can enjoy free product samples, opportunities to meet drivers, a casual atmosphere and an up-close-and-personal view of Iowa Speedway's state-of-the-art facility. Even better: Access to the Casey's General Store Fan Walk presented by Mello Yello is free to season ticket holders, Newton Club members, suite ticket holders, and those who purchase one of the hospitality options, including the party deck, luxury suites, and hospitality chalets. Access for other fans is still a bargain. Adult tickets cost just $10 per event and children ages 12-and-under are admitted free with a paying adult.(Iowa Speedway)(2-28-2011)

Iowa Speedway names Director of Media Relations: Rob Gray, a sports reporter at The Des Moines Register for 10 years, has joined the Iowa Speedway to serve as Director of Media Relations. Gray's duties will include, but not be limited to, writing articles for IowaSpeedway.com, coordinating the release of track-related information to accredited media outlets, and assisting members of all media before, during and after the four race weekends slated for 2011 at "America's Place to Race.'" Gray covered every race at Iowa Speedway for the Register.(Iowa Speedway)(1-30-2011)