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28th
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NASCAR officials announced that the privately-held sanctioning body has purchased Iowa Speedway “in a strategic move designed to expand its commitment to enhancing event experiences.”
The move is unprecedented in the 65-year history of NASCAR. While Bill France Sr. founded NASCAR all of the ovals built under its' umbrella have been owned by the publicly held International Speedway Corporation (ISC).
“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.
In a press release officials said “NASCAR has no plans for Iowa Speedway to host a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race next year or in the immediate future.
“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.”
The facility, located 30 miles east of Des Moines in Newton, features a fast, .875-mile asphalt paved tri-oval designed by NASCAR Hall of Famer Rusty Wallace. The Speedway released its 2014 schedule earlier this month, encompassing three weekends, one each in May, July and August. The schedule will include two NASCAR Nationwide Series races, a combination NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and IndyCar Series weekend, plus two additional NASCAR K&N Pro Series support races.”
"We have no intentions to purchase other tracks," NASCAR David Higdon told the Des Moines (Iowa) Register.. "This isn't the first of many. This is a unique situation."
The move is unprecedented in the 65-year history of NASCAR. While Bill France Sr. founded NASCAR all of the ovals built under its' umbrella have been owned by the publicly held International Speedway Corporation (ISC).
“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.
In a press release officials said “NASCAR has no plans for Iowa Speedway to host a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race next year or in the immediate future.
Iowa Speedway. (Photo: NASCAR) |
“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.”
The facility, located 30 miles east of Des Moines in Newton, features a fast, .875-mile asphalt paved tri-oval designed by NASCAR Hall of Famer Rusty Wallace. The Speedway released its 2014 schedule earlier this month, encompassing three weekends, one each in May, July and August. The schedule will include two NASCAR Nationwide Series races, a combination NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and IndyCar Series weekend, plus two additional NASCAR K&N Pro Series support races.”
"We have no intentions to purchase other tracks," NASCAR David Higdon told the Des Moines (Iowa) Register.. "This isn't the first of many. This is a unique situation."