WEST DES MOINES, Iowa – The popular Iowa Speedway, a .875-mile short oval that is very popular with drivers in the NTT IndyCar Series and the fans, has been revived.
The NTT IndyCar Series will return to the venue next season as part of a multi-year agreement announced Thursday morning. The revival is led by the Midwestern supermarket chain Hy-Vee, based in West Des Moines, Iowa, IndyCar team owner Bobby Rahal, IndyCar owner Roger Penske and Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds.
Thursday morning’s announcement was made at the Ron Pearson Center, adjacent to Hy-Vee’s corporate office.
Hy-Vee will provide broad support for next year’s doubleheader event set for July 23-24 through a wide-ranging partnership.
“We’re extremely pleased to return Iowa Speedway to the NTT IndyCar Series calendar,” said Penske, founder and chair of the Penske Corp. and owner of the NTT IndyCar Series. “Over the years, Iowa has proven to be a fitting showcase for North America’s premier open-wheel series. A key oval and a hallmark on our schedule, we deeply missed seeing our fans in Iowa this year and look forward to what’s ahead.”
Plans for the 2022 NTT IndyCar Series event include several additional entertainment activities, making for a festival-like atmosphere throughout the weekend.
Hy-Vee is an Iowa-based supermarket chain that is very interested in returning the Newton, Iowa, short oval to the NTT IndyCar Series schedule. With its headquarters in Iowa, the annual Saturday night short track race was popular among the paying fans and Hy-Vee’s corporate customer base.
“With our strong connection to local communities and involvement in the state, we plan to host an event that will receive national attention and make Newton an annual destination for racing fans,” said Randy Edeker, chairman, CEO and president of Hy-Vee. “The weekend will be filled with multiple attractions and events that celebrate everything that is great about Iowa and NTT IndyCar Series racing.”
Hy-Vee was first involved in the NTT IndyCar Series when the supermarket chain was the primary sponsor for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing’s No. 15 car in race two of the 2020 Iowa Speedway doubleheader. Driven by Graham Rahal, the Hy-Vee Honda finished third. It later sponsored the team’s No. 45 car driven by Spencer Pigot in the 2020 Indianapolis 500. In 2021, Hy-Vee provided primary sponsorship of RLL’s No. 45 car, driven by 2019 Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year Santino Ferrucci, for the Indianapolis 500 and other selected events, and was the primary sponsor of Rahal’s entry at Road America as well as this Saturday’s race at World Wide Technology Raceway.
“The state of Iowa made a commitment to the sport of racing when the Iowa Speedway was built, and today’s exciting announcement of Hy-Vee’s partnership with the NTT IndyCar Series reaffirms that,” said Governor Reynolds. “Iowa is well suited to be an IndyCar destination for racing fans nationwide, and I encourage Iowa businesses and organizations to support the success of this event in whatever way they can.”
IndyCar and Indianapolis Motor Speedway owner Roger Penske told SPEED SPORT and other reporters in June that he was working with Rahal and Hy-Vee on the possibility of returning IndyCar to Iowa Speedway.
“The state is rich with racing history and has a strong appreciation for IndyCar and its terrific drivers and teams,” Penske said. “The fantastic addition of Hy-Vee and their commitment to our sport underscores the added value. Thanks to Hy-Vee and the State of Iowa for welcoming the return of INDYCAR racing to Iowa Speedway.”
During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Penske and IndyCar leased Iowa Speedway from NASCAR, the track’s current owners, and self-promoted a Friday night/Saturday night doubleheader in an attempt to complete a 14-race season. Although the COVID-19 rules limited the crowd to 7,000 spectators, an enthusiastic crowd attended both races.
Iowa Speedway was left off this year’s IndyCar schedule as Penske Entertainment was trying to ensure a large crowd for this year’s Indianapolis 500 and chose not to lease the Iowa track in 2021.
Penske indicated if Hy-Vee could sponsor the race, then it would become economically viable to return to the .750-mile short oval.