Iowa Speedway adds Additionhal Entertainment for #NASCAR Fans (#ThisIsMySpeedway)

Building on a successful 2015 season, Iowa Speedway adds additional entertainment for fans throughout Wide Opening Weekend 

Fans visiting Iowa Speedway this weekend will once again have a wealth of ways to be entertained, before, during and after two outstanding NASCAR races. Wide Opening Weekend highlights include the return of the NAPA Auto Parts Concert Series at the Pork Party Pavilion, Kid’s Q&A session in the Mediacom Media Center and brand-new oversized games on the concourse. Tickets for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Speediatrics 200 and NASCAR XFINITY Series American Ethanol E15 250 presented by Enogen can be purchased at www.IowaSpeedway.com or by calling 866.787.8946.

Here’s what you’ll see while at the track this weekend:

NASCAR Salutes

On June 18 and 19, Iowa Speedway will embrace the sport’s long-standing tradition of honoring the United States Armed Forces as a part of NASCAR: An American Salute™, the industry’s collective expression of respect and gratitude for members of the U.S. Armed Forces. Activities on the concourse, including a remembrance for those Iowans who have given their lives serving the United States since 9/11, will be on display throughout the weekend. Pre-race activities each day will also feature increased elements of patriotism as the Iowa Speedway community shows its support for those who serve and protect our nation.

NAPA Auto Parts Concert Series

The NAPA Auto Parts Concert Series kicks off on Saturday, June 18, when party-rock act Buckcherry, takes to the Pork Party Pavilion stage. Since 1995, Buckcherry has wowed audiences around the globe, including NASCAR fans at Daytona International Raceway and Phoenix International Raceway. The Los Angeles-based group will perform their hits along with new tracks from Rock ‘n’ Roll – which they released last year, following the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Speediatrics 200. Tickets to the Speediatrics 200 or the American Ethanol E15 250 will provide admittance for the concert.

Signature Food

Iowa Speedway along with concession partner Spectra by Comcast Spectacor, will continue to showcase the Track’s evolving palate with brand new signature food items for 2016. These tasty, if not always tasteful, expressions of Iowa Speedway are the latest offerings in a series of signature food options that debuted in 2014. This year’s editions include:

• The Commitment Cone – A waffle cone filled to the brim with eggs, potatoes and bacon, skewered by a pancake-battered sausage-on-a-stick. This is a meal for those who demand attention and have no problem standing out in a crowd
• Scoring Pile-On – Layer after layer of food, piled high in a mason jar, modeled to look like a sundae... This “Iowa Speedway-ification” of a hot-beef-sundae includes pulled pork, mashed potatoes and corn, topped with a cherry tomato and cheese
• Engine Block – A sweet and savory sandwich that features a pork tenderloin and slice of cheddar cheese between two apple fritter “buns.” A marriage made in heaven… aka Iowa

Beer Garden

Debuting this weekend, Iowa Speedway will unveil an infield beer garden inside Turn 4 and accessible to fans with Casey’s General Stores Fan Walk wristbands. In addition to ice cold beer on tap and seating in a relaxed atmosphere, the area will feature tailgate games and laser-tag inside a giant inflatable course.

Oversized Games

New for 2016, Iowa Speedway will increase the size of entertainment for fans on the concourse. Played by world leaders, sharks and awkward teenagers alike, pool will level-up at “The Fastest Short Track on the Planet” as fans may climb atop the giant pool table and use their feet to break and bank shots. For those who are less “pedi-clined”, checkers have also been jacked-up for fans’ enjoyment. One of the oldest games known to man, Iowa Speedway’s version of checkers overcompensates for the shortness of the racing surface with a giant board and game pieces. Both games are free to ticketed guests and certain to become a part of the fabric of race day in Newton, IA.

Youth Activities

Building on the foundation that was built in 2015, Iowa Speedway has engineered a serious upgrade to race day for its youngest fans.

• Crash Course 2.0 presented by U.S. Cellular – Terms like “downforce” and “drag” may be difficult to explain even to adults, but Crash Course will help decipher the physics of racing for fans of all ages and experience levels. Seeking to explain the action on the track and help share Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) lessons through racing, “Crash Course” returns to the concourse above Turn 1. This year, Iowa Speedway will engage the help of U.S. Cellular, NASCAR XFINITY Series driver Brendan Gaughan, the Science Center of Iowa and NASCAR Acceleration Nation, to help make explain what it takes to race at “The Fastest Short Tack on the Planet!”
• Kids Q&A – Sunday, June 19 – Recognizing that kids are often interested in hearing answers to less conventional questions than those typically posed to drivers at press conferences, Iowa Speedway will once again host Q&A sessions between drivers and their youngest fans during each race weekend. On Sunday, June 19, a pair of NASCAR XFINITY Series drivers will be in for an amusing press conference as they field questions on a wide assortment of topics. These “Q&A” sessions are reserved for the first 120 fans, 18-and-under, who meet in Casey’s General Stores Victory Lane at 8:45 a.m. CT. Parents are also invited to attend. Similar to working press, no autographs of drivers or racing personalities, will be allowed but lifelong memories will be created.

Racing Simulators

This year, fans will have a chance to get a taste of racing for themselves. Four cockpit simulators will be setup on the concourse, allowing fans to compete for track records throughout the race weekend.

Bags Tournament

In response to last year’s epic bags battle prior to the U.S. Cellular 250, the Speedway will host tournaments each weekend of the 2016 season. The first throw down will take place on Saturday, June 18, at 2 p.m. CT, outside the Hornitos Bar Tent, above Turn 4.

NASCAR Driver Autograph Sessions

On both Saturday and Sunday, fans will have an opportunity to get autographs from some of their favorite drivers. On Saturday, the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series drivers will be available for an autograph session, open to all ticketholders. The autograph session will run from 2-2:45 p.m. CT at the north end of the concourse under the Turn 4 Grandstands. On Sunday, fans will have a unique opportunity to get up close to the stars of the NASCAR XFINITY Series and their cars, prior to the American Ethanol E15 250 presented by Enogen. Drivers will be available along the Speedway’s frontstretch, access road, at 10:30 a.m. CT, prior to the Driver’s Meeting, which will also be on the frontstretch. Fans should enter between Sections 109/110, 303/304 or via Casey’s General Stores Fan Walk with a wristband.

#ThisIsMySpeedway

Drafting off of 2015’s rallying cry, fans will once again be encouraged to use the hashtag #ThisIsMySpeedway on social media to tell their stories of the weekend. #ThisIsMySpeedway is a focal point for fans on social media who love the Speedway. By using the hashtag in Facebook, Twitter and Instagram posts, fans may check out what else is happening around the track and share their own experiences.

Source: Track Website