You may be familiar with the new owners of Iowa Speedway. NASCAR.
NASCAR’s agreement with Iowa Speedway was finalized Wednesday and is effective immediately.
Officials explained in a release that the purchase of the speedway was a strategic move designed to expand event experiences and fan engagement. Another reason, according to NASCAR, was to solidify the future of one of the premier racing and entertainment facilities in the Midwest.
“Iowa Speedway is a great entertainment facility with a very bright future,” said Eric Nyquist, NASCAR vice president, strategic development. “The facility has the support of the region, it’s positioned well in the heart of the Midwest, and year in and year out it provides great short-track racing action for motorsports fans.
“NASCAR ownership will allow us to draw on the entire resources of our company. It also provides us with the opportunity to execute first-hand a number of entertainment ideas and engagement opportunities with fans – much of which we have outlined repeatedly as the core of our Industry Action Plan.”
Iowa Speedway was designed by former NASCAR driver Rusty Wallace and it opened in 2006. The speedway is a .875 mile asphalt tri-oval that sits in the heart of the Midwest, a few miles east of Des Moines.
The 2014 schedule features two NASCAR Nationwide Series races, a NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and IndyCar Series weekend and two NASCAR K&N Pro Series races. What’s missing from the schedule is a NASCAR Sprint Cup series race and NASCAR officials indicate there are no plans to add a Sprint Cup race in 2014 or anytime in the immediate future.
A special event has been set for Thursday, Dec. 12 to provide additional details on the purchase and what future plans may be.
For information on the 2014 schedule, visit www.iowaspeedway.com.
