Iowa Speedway adds NASCAR Grand National

Newton, IA - November 14, 2006
By: Iowa Speedway

PHOTO: Rusty Wallace on hand at Iowa Speedway Monday for announcement that NASCAR Grand National East/West Championship race will be held at the new track on May 20, 2007-CREDIT: iowa Speedway

www.iowaspeedway.com

 

Sooner or later, it had to happen, and it did. Iowa Speedway announced its 2007 Racing Schedule – bringing a NASCAR race to next year's first full season of racing on the 7/8 mile oval track designed by former NASCAR Champion, Rusty Wallace.

Wallace, whose son, Steven, won the ARCA RE/MAX Prairie Meadows 250 at Iowa Speedway in October, joined George Silbermann, NASCAR's Managing Director of Racing Operations, and Iowa Speedway officials, in announcing the 200-lap Grand National Divisions East/West Championship Race will be held Sunday, May 20, 2007, at Iowa Speedway.

"We built this track in 15 months, had a highly successful 2006 racing season, and it will be very exciting to host a NASCAR event in 2007," Wallace told a gathering of journalists and guests at the track's exclusive Newton Club. "The Grand National Division will bring drivers and racing fans from throughout the country to Iowa Speedway and, of course, it's great to partner with NASCAR – they set the gold standard when it comes to auto racing".

Iowa Speedway President Stan Clement shared Wallace's sentiments, "We're pleased to join the NASCAR family by bringing the Grand National cars and stars to Newton. It's the beginning of a relationship with NASCAR that will continue for years to come and the race, itself, will generate a great deal of interest in Iowa and throughout the country. In fact, it's one of the reasons we call Iowa Speedway, `America's Place to Race'".

Craig Armstrong, Iowa Speedway General Manager, said next year's NASCAR event will be historic, "It will mark the first NASCAR race of any kind at Iowa Speedway, the first Grand National event in Iowa, and the first time the Grand National Division will award points for each series in a single event. It truly will be history in the making right here in Iowa".

The NASCAR Grand National Division is comprised of two different series – the Autozone West Series and the Busch East Series. These two series, which feature cars similar to those used on the NASCAR Busch Series, are part of NASCAR's "feeder system," according to NASCAR. Competitors race for a championship and refine their skills as they advance toward the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, NASCAR Busch Series, or the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series.

Iowa Speedway begins an active 2007 Racing Season on Saturday, April 21, with the Grand AM Cup KONI Challenge on the challenging 1.3 mile Allan Wilson-designed road course. Races on the track's wide, fast 7/8 mile oval include the USAC Triple Crown for Midgets, Sprint cars, and Silver Crown on Saturday night, May 5. Other races include the ASA Late Model Challenge, May 19th, the NASCAR Grand National East/West, May 20th, the Prairie Meadows 250 ARCA RE/MAX Series, Saturday night, June 2, the IndyCar practice and IndyPro Series Qualifying on Friday, June 22, the IndyPro Series Main Event and IndyCar qualifying on Saturday, June 23, and the Iowa Corn Indy 250 IndyCar Series race on Sunday afternoon, June 24. In addition, the MOTO ST Endurance Motorcycle Road race will be held on July 13th and the Grand American Rolex Road Racing Series – featuring Daytona Prototype and Grand Touring sports cars – will be held on Saturday, July 14th. The season ends with a return of the USAR Hooters Pro Cup Series on the big oval, Saturday night, September 22, 2007.
Meanwhile, 2007 Season Ticket sales begin Saturday, November 25, at 10:00am. The tickets for 11 major events start at $199 for lower level seats, $249 for middle level seating, and $299 for upper level seating. Newton Club members are required to pay $299 for each seat they hold in the Newton Club.

Season Tickets may be purchased in person at the Iowa Speedway Administrative Building, Newton, Iowa, beginning November 25; through Ticketmaster at 515-243-1888; and online.

Finally, the entertainment schedule for the 2007 season will also be announced soon, according to track officials, and will feature nationally prominent musical entertainers for live concerts on select racing dates and as stand alone events. Ticket prices for major stand alone concerts will be announced as soon as event contracts are finalized.