THE IOWA INDYCAR 250s

July 17-18, 2020

Rounds #5 & #6 of the 2020 season - Night Time Doubleheaders!

GENERAL INFO – The Iowa Speedway is the newest oval (by age) to the IndyCar Series. Born in 2007, the first NTT INDYCAR SERIES event was held in 2008. The track was designed by motorsports legend, Rusty Wallace and it is the only major professional sports venue in Iowa! 

COVID UPDATE: The track encourages everyone to follow safe practices while at the track. Practice social distancing – maintaining a 6 feet separation from others. Please use frequent hand washing and use of many of the hand sanitizer stations at the track. Cloth face coverings are heavily recommended in areas where social distancing is difficult to maintain. All guests will be screened in their vehicles with contactless temperature checks before entering parking areas. Temperatures of 100.4 will disqualify you from entering. The wearing of face masks are very encouraged, but not mandatory. Masks and hand sanitizer will be distributed at entry gates.

Iowa Speedway has the distinction for being the world’s only 7/8 mile paved track! Located about 35 miles east of Des Moines, Iowa in the town of Newton, IA, Interstate exit #164 off I-80 is the track exit. The track is close to the famous Knoxville Speedway, known for sprint car racing on dirt and a museum. Worth a visit if you have time. The Iowa Speedway is in a rural area, with the town of Newton closest. You may have to drive up to 40+ miles for a hotel. Book early, don’t rely on finding a hotel when you arrive. No grandstand smoking, smoking permitted in designated areas only.

One NTT INDYCAR SERIES event will be run on Friday night, 7/17, the other on Saturday night, 7/18. Joining INDYCAR for the weekend will be the ARCA Menards Series, Iowa 150 to be run on Saturday afternoon.

Food vendors will look quite different, as “Grab & Go” will be used with limited menus and food preparation on site. All concessions will feature cashless transactions whenever possible. There will be NO fan infield entry and paddock, pit and Fan Walk experiences will not be offered. No concerts presented this year due to the virus and social distancing.

Dress comfortably, including shoes as every possible weather condition can appear quickly. In 2019, a very long rain delay occurred and the race ended at 2 am! Grandstand seating is metal bleachers with seatbacks, so bring a soft cushion if you desire. The higher your seats, the better the view. Any seat in the upper section will give you a great view of the entire track. Very little shade at the track, most shade is under the grandstand’s upper level! No food or drinks are allowed in. Free parking for 15,000 vehicles. Guide or service animals only and must be leashed.

SPECIFIC LOCATION – 3333 Rusty Wallace Dr., Newton, IA 50208. Central time zone.

TRACK WEBSITE – IowaSpeedway.com

TRACK CONFIGURATION – 7/8 mile paved oval. 10-degree banking on the frontstretch and 4-degrees on the backstretch. Turns are progressively banked starting from 12-degrees at the bottom and escalating to 14-degrees at the top.

PREFERRED AIRPORTS – Des Moines International Airport (DSM), about 37 miles from the track.

PARKING – All vehicles will be stopped and contactless temperatures will be taken of everyone in the vehicle. If any temperature exceeds 100.4, you will be denied entry to the parking area. Free general parking including handicapped spots for 15,000 vehicles! Limited paved parking, but the remainder of the parking is on solid grass lots. Handicapped parking is well marked, follow the signs, with their major lot outside of Ticket Booth 1. Display State hangtag and follow signs. You can reserve a parking space for a fee, before arrival. Call 1-866-787-8946. If you leave in your vehicle before the end of the event and want to re-enter, expect to again go through the temperature check when re-entering the parking area. Traffic flows well in and out. Expect delays when leaving, but the traffic moves quickly toward I-80. Follow signage and be alert if you want to go East or West on I-80 and get in the proper lanes.

CREDENTIALS – Only essential racing personnel will have access to the infield, paddock, or pits. No paddock/pit passes available to the public.

ENTRY POINTS – Gates are located throughout the grandstand area. It is a small facility, so it doesn’t matter which gate you use. Arrive early, as track security is very thorough and they inspect every pouch of every bag. Have your ticket in hand for scanning. If an item is rejected, you can take it to your vehicle or surrender it. No items will be held for pickup at the end of the day. Refer to the prohibited items tab. If you wish to leave the gated area, make sure to have your hand stamped and carry your ticket for re-entry. If you leave in your vehicle, before the end of track activity, expect to go through the temperature check when re-entering the parking area. Masks and hand sanitizer will be distributed as you enter. Wearing of masks are encouraged, but not mandatory. 

PROHIBITED ITEMS – No ATVs, golf carts, motorcycles, scooters or mopeds inside the gates. Guide and service animals only, no pets. No carry-in bags, blankets or sleeping bags. Everything brought to the entry gate is subject to search by track security. No aerosol cans, glass containers, balloons or beach balls, chairs, explosives, fireworks, or drones. Leave home laser pointers, noisemakers, or outside food or drinks. Bicycles, scooters, Segways, skateboards, skates, rollerblades, tripods, bipods, weapons, or any kind of umbrellas. No seat cushions with arms or frames. Foam type cushions are acceptable. EMPTY soft side coolers are allowed, no larger than 14”x14”x14”. 

TICKET INFO – Tickets and seating options for sale are limited, as advance ticket purchasers are being reassigned to comply with social distancing regulations. Call 1-866-787-8946 to purchase tickets BEFORE driving to Iowa, to make sure you have tickets. ADA seating is limited, but inquire when calling.

CAMPING – Iowa Speedway is blessed with land and over 200+ general camping spaces are available. Motorhome parking is also allowed on the backstretch trackside area. Fees may be charged, call ticket number 1-866-787-8946 for specific details and availability before driving to the track.

QUESTIONS? – IowaSpeedway.com