The race for Iowa Speedway all but extended for two years. Just had a press conference with Terry Angstadt of the IndyCar Series and Stan Clement and Jerry Jauron from the Iowa Speedway. The league has all but inked a two-year extension to their deal with the speedway.
The only issues outstanding are making sure a date in the current time of year still works with the IndyCar schedules, etc. before the final, official announcement that includes the date. All three insisted there are no major issues outstanding. Angstadt also said the 2010 schedule will most likely feature nine ovals and nine street/road courses.
"We are very excited about being here. We are excited to be here every year," said Angstadt, president of the commercial division of the IRL. "I think this year is even more special because of the opportunity to extend this into the future. When we show up here, from the people at the airport to the people at the hotels to fans in and around the grounds, you are just made to feel very welcome, and that doesn't happen in every market. We love the configuration, the distance of the track, it works so well for us on every level. So, again, we're happy to be here and happy to extend it into the foreseeable future."
Jerry Jauron, president and CFO of the Iowa Speedway, was giddy as a schoolboy. "What excites me is when you look out there is that Iowa Speedway is going to hopefully continue to be part of the exclusive racing venues that host the IndyCar Series. That will solidify the speedway as one of the top motorsports venue in the world. It's exciting times to be at Iowa Speedway.Exciting for the state of Iowa and, more importantly, for the IndyCar fans in the upper Midwest. We have sold tickets for our race today (to fans in) 24 states. So I think that says a lot about Iowa Speedway and our future, and we look forward to many years with the IndyCar Series.
The track has expanded via temporaring seating inside and outside of turn 4 in each year the race has been here. The track is sold out for today's race, with an estimated 42,000 fans expected. As for how many seats Iowa Speedway can continue to add, Clement said the track has plenty of room. "You keep buying and we'll keep adding."
I personly would like to say. Any one not pleased with the growth of Iowa Speed Way in it's short life span must have their head in the sand.Those who were not in favor of its building should should just set back and enjoy and support it because its here to stay long term.I feel the speedway team has made great strides in its presentation in the whole world of racing. INDY race brought in two and one half times the population of Newton in one race this year. Fans are spending their dollars some where close to Newton for three days or more. And if Newton expands its self we will get a lot more of them dollars. Our city and county god fathers need to relize this fact and move on it. The Iowa Speed Way is doing their part. If something works run with it if it don't work change it so it does. Thank you to their management keep up the good work. Your track has to be making money for our city and county. And it sure is making a lot of fans happy.
Posted by: LD | June 23, 2009 at 05:24 PM