NDN-SS-5-14-2015

The Fastest Short Track on the Planet

2015 Iowa Speedway Preview

Inside: Speedway Super Fans; Speedway Personnel 2015 Race Overviews

Speedway, Thursday, May 14, 2015 — Page 2

Speedway, Thursday, May 14, 2015 — Page 3

3M 250 — May 17 Past Winners • 2011: Ricky Stenhouse Jr. • 2012: Ricky Stenhouse Jr. • 2013: Trevor Bayne • 2014: Sam Hornish Jr.

U.S. Cellular 250 — Aug. 1 Past Winners • 2009: Brad Keselowski • 2010: Kyle Busch • 2011: Ricky Stenhouse Jr. • 2012: Elliott Sadler • 2013: Brad Keselowski • 2014: Brad Keselowski

Xfinity Series brings strong NASCAR brand to Iowa

By Jocelyn Sheets Newton Daily News The sponsor name has changed but nothing else has. NASCAR Xfinity Series carries forward all the records and excitement that was under former sponsorships of NASCAR’s second tier racing series.

Look for the top drivers in the 2015 Xfinity Series to compete right here — most of them twice this season — at Iowa Speedway. The track continues to develop its “character” as the drivers describe the wear, bumps

and seams developing on the 7/8-mile oval here in Newton.

Iowa Speedway features the Xfinity Series 3M 250 on its Wide Opening Weekend. The Xfinity practices and qualifying laps run Saturday with the race slated for 1 p.m. Sunday.

Ty Dillon will come into Sunday’s race with the points lead in the series followed by Chris Buescher and reigning Xfinity Series champion Chase Elliott in third place. Goodyear held a closed tire testing May 5 at Iowa Speedway with a couple of the Xfinity drivers helping with that including

Daniel Suarez, who sits ninth in the standings.

Fans will see familiar drivers and some new drivers at this level. Ryan Blaney, who is running in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and the Xfinity Series, was at Iowa Speedway for the tire test last week.

Iowa’s own Landon Cassill and Joey Gase are in 15th and 21st, respectively, in the driver’s points standings.

Xfinity drivers return to the Newton track for the U.S. Cellular 250 on Aug. 1. That race is a Saturday night race under the lights at Iowa Speed-

way, starting at 7 p.m.

Xfinity Series races open and close the 2015 racing season at Iowa Speedway.

Iowa Speedway brings fans the opportunity to watch the young and veteran drivers of NASCAR Xfinity twice in 2015, as it has for the past four years. In 2009, the Xfinity Series came to Iowa Speedway for the U.S. Cellular 250, then in 2011 Iowa obtained its second Xfinity Series race.

Contact Jocelyn Sheets at 641-792-3121 ext. 6535 or jsheets@newtondailynews.com

Speedway, Thursday, May 14, 2015 — Page 4

NASCAR’s young drivers develop in K&N Pro Series

By Jocelyn Sheets Newton Daily News

Park Centre, A WesleyLife Community and Willowbrook Adult Day Center Transforming the Aging Experience www.wesleylife.org

The K&N Pro Series is called a NASCAR developmental series. That it is.

The up-and-coming drivers are forging their way to the dream of all stock car drivers — the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Iowa Speedway again hosts two K&N Pro Series races in 2015.

The Casey’s General Store 150 East-West Challenge, a crossover event showcasing the young talent in the K&N Pro Series, opens the season at the Speedway Saturday. The younger drivers return to Newton July 31 for the K&N Series 150.

USAC is back at Iowa Speedway

By Jocelyn Sheets Newton Daily News

500 First Street North • Newton, Iowa 50208 • 641-791-5000

Those young drivers have the opportunity to observe drivers in the second-rung of the NASCAR racing series on both weekends in Iowa. The K&N Pro Series races are the undercard events for Iowa Speedway’s two NASCAR Xfinity Series races in 2015.

Drivers from the two K&N divisions — West and East — are coming to Iowa. Several were on the 2014 and 2015 NASCAR Next list including Cole Custer, Jesse Little, and newcomer Rico Abreu, who is the reigning USAC national champion. Austin Hill, a 21-year-old from Georgia, was at Iowa Speedway May 5 for a Goodyear Tire test.

The United States Auto Club (USAC) Silver Crown Series is back at Iowa Speedway in 2015.

The legends of openwheel racing return to “The Fastest Short Track on the Planet” on June 20. The event marks the first USAC Silver Crown Series

event at Iowa Speedway since the 2012 Casey’s General Stores USAC Challenge race.

The Silver Crown Series 100 will cap a spectacular weekend of racing at Iowa Speedway that includes the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series on June 19. The USAC race is a 2 p.m. start on June 20.

When USAC last ap-

peared at the 7/8-mile asphalt paved tri-oval, Bobby East thrilled fans when he took the checkered flag for the third time at Iowa Speedway.

Kody Swanson set the Iowa Speedway Silver Crown track record with an average lap speed of 146.212 mph in 2012.

The maximum speeds of 180 mph happen generally toward the end of the straightaways.

Your tailgating headquarters

Independent Living | Assisted Living | Memory Support | Health Center | Skilled Rehabilitation | Home Health Care Adult Day Services | Hospice

120 N. 3rd Ave. E. Newton Grocery 792-7950

Speedway, Thursday, May 14, 2015 — Page 5

Jocelyn Sheets/Daily News Members of the Iowa Speedway staff are, left to right, standing, Jimmy Small, Pam Gruhn, Chris Baker, Tony Webster, Drew Bentley, Luke Clement, Gary Foster, Edward Williams and Casey Campbell; sitting, Cat Nichol, KayLea Zumbach and Sabrina White.

Teamwork powers Iowa Speedway’s commitment to quality

By Jocelyn Sheets Newton Daily News Two weeks out from Wide Opening Weekend 2015, the environment at Iowa Speedway is what everyone expects — busy.

But the Iowa Speedway team of 17 full-time employees are busy all the time — planning, preparing and providing a total package of entertainment to fans. All four weekends in the 2015 season don’t just fall into place, there’s a lot of work going on behind the scenes.

“One thing I learned in my first year here,” Iowa Speedway President Jimmy Small said, “is you begin working on next year just as this year begins. We’re already exploring plans for 2016.

“We are committed to our fans and our employees here at Iowa Speedway. This place is very special to NASCAR and we’re focused on growing people individually as professionals in the industry.”

Fans, partners and team building are focal points for the Speedway personnel team.

It was pointed out that Iowa Speedway is the only professional sports facility in Iowa.

NASCAR purchased Iowa Speedway in November 2013 and Small came on as president.

Small assembled his team from Speedway veterans to veterans from other race tracks and people wanting to get into the motorsports industry in some capacity.

One of those Speedway veterans is Karen Baldon, director of corporate sales. Baldon said she was one of the original hires in March 2006.

“Karen has been here since the place was just dirt. She’s a great asset to have and knows everything about this place and its history,” Small said.

Baldon is responsible for generating revenue for the Speedway by securing sponsorships, advertising, vendor displays and hospitality options to

prospective and current partners. On race day, she said she is part of a team of sales and marketing personnel which performs fulfillment of partnership participation.

“I was excited to see such a grand opportunity present itself in my own backyard. I was living in Knoxville and spent 14 years working at Knoxville Raceway prior to coming to Iowa Speedway,” Baldon said. “It was an opportunity to advance my career and learn a different facet of motorsports without moving my family.

“The best part of my job is forming long-term relationships and friendships with our sponsors and partners.”

Ticket sales are pretty important to the Speedway. KayLea Zumbach, Chris Baker and Drew Bentley are the heartbeat of the Speedway’s ticketing department.

Zumbach is another one who has been at the Speedway from almost the beginning, Small

said. Zumbach has shown tremendous growth as coordinator of tickets and groups, he said.

Baker is the director of ticketing and group sales. Small said they brought Baker over from the Iowa State Fair last year. Bentley is an account executive in the ticketing department. Small said Bentley is a graduate of Simpson College and wanted to get into sports marketing and joined the Speedway team.

“We’ve got a great ticket office here and everything starts and ends with ticket sales,” Small said.

“We’re where we expected to be on ticket sales for this season.

We’re committed to putting on an unbelievable event experience from the races, the concerts and the entertainment in the midway — the whole package.”

Edward Williams came to the Speedway just before the launch of the 2014 racing season.

He is the director of integrated marketing communications. He

came from Homestead-Miami Speedway (Fla.) with a ton of experience, Small said.

“The opportunity to be a part of the team Jimmy assembled was too good to pass up,” Williams said. “The best part of my job is being involved in a sport I’ve followed since I was little.

Sometimes it’s hard to believe I get paid to be around the sport I love.”

Williams said he is responsible for managing the public relations and communications effort for the Speedway using traditional media methods and social media. He works to build and sustain the Speedway’s reputation for quality, reliability and unparalleled customer service.

“Race days are spent servicing a corps of local, regional, national and international media,” Williams said.

Tami Hansen is the director of marketing and has been at the Speedway for three TEAMWORK | Page 11

Speedway, Thursday, May 14, 2015 — Page 6

We Give You u o Y e ic v r e S e h t Deserve.

ou call ines when y h c a m o N 4 ndly service very 4 Fast, frie & Free Deli p -U e v ri D s t n urance Plan s 4 Convenie In D re a ic tment pt All Med le by Appoin b 4 We Acce a il a v A s n Vaccinatio 4 Zostavax

212 First St. Locally owned and operated by Larry & Dianna Ambroson, RPh

N., Newton

1 641-7H9ou2rs-: 311 pm M-F 8:30 am-6 m p 2 .Sat. 9 a.m

112 E. 4th St. S. Newton, IA 50208 641-792-4880

Life

is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away

BROOKWOOD INC. Heating • Air Conditioning • Plumbing

641-792-1186 QUALITY, RELIABLE SERVICE. Celebrating our 53 rd year in business in May 2015 Since 1962 Brookwood, Inc. has installed quality Heating & Air Conditioning Products in the Newton area.

(Now Members of Des Moines Area Association of REALTORS®)

. Sincerity . Truthfulness . Experience . Professionalism

See You At The Track!

Lisa McKinney 641-521-7245

Susan K. Forbes Koni Bunse 641-791-2360 641-417-0113 www.weAREnewton.com

Judy Ogier 641-521-7778

We are a SAVE Certified Contractor

409 N. 23rd Ave. , Newton, IA 641-792-1186 816 4th Ave., Grinnell, IA 641-236-6307 2009 N. Lincoln, Knoxville, IA 641-842-4315

www.brookwoodinc.com

Speedway, Thursday, May 14, 2015 — Page 7

Local families enjoy having Iowa Speedway in their backyard

By Troy Hyde Newton Daily News Keith Sevenbergen likes anything with wheels.

He grew up watching races at the old Newton Speedway dirt track on the north end of town.

His wife Kathy had never been to a race until she met Keith.

But together, the married couple of 43 years have now become racing fanatics.

They have purchased season tickets at Iowa Speedway since the track opened in 2006 and have even been to 25 Indy 500 races.

“We thought our way of helping to support the track and make it as successful as it could be was to buy season tickets,” Keith Sevenbergen said. “We like to support the community and we look at it as spending our money in Newton for something.”

Racing has taken the couple all over the United States. They have been to a NASCAR race at Talledega, attended several Indy Car races in the Midwest and were even in the stands when Dan Wheldon was killed in an IndyCar race at Las VeTroy Hyde/Daily News gas Motor Speedway.

Keith and Kathy Sevenbergen hold up a picture taken at Iowa Speedway by their son Scott during an Iowa Corn InThere isn’t really a race the couple doesn’t enjoy dyCar Series race. Keith and Kathy have had two season tickets to Iowa Speedway since the track opened in 2006. to watch. And having a major racetrack in their Their favorite race weekend this year will be July 17-18 when the Iowa Corn IndyCar Series 300 invades Newton. hometown in something special.

“I had never seen a race of any kind until I met Diamond Vogel but also is now retired. Keith even love with the cars. They are so much faster it’s unbeKeith,” Kathy Sevenbergen said. “My family just spent 40 years as a chain gang member of Newton lievable. Those cars go 230 miles per hour.” wasn’t interested in it growing up. Then we started football games.

The Sevenbergens, and anyone else who has seagoing to Knoxville, and I think our kids starting goThey love the community and were happy to son tickets, will take part in the Iowa Speedway’s ing when they were 2. Now, their kids go and we all see someone wanted to build a track as big as Iowa Fan Appreciation Day when the season kicks off on just love it.

Speedway in their town.

May 16. The couple also was randomly selected to “You just meet “I think it’s a cool deal that someone wanted to attend a meet and greet during the Iowa Corn Indyso many neat peo- build something that big here in Newton, Iowa,” Car Series 300 in July. ple at the races. Keith said. “We wanted to make sure we supported “We don’t know who we are meeting yet, but it’s We met a retired it and buying season tickets is the best way to do cool that it is going to be an IndyCar driver,” Keith highway patrol guy that.” said. “That worked out pretty well for us.” who we became They don’t attend every race. But they don’t let If the couple has their choice, the Meet and Greet good friends with. their tickets go unattended either. will be with IndyCar superstar Helio Castroneves.

He sat by us and “We have two season tickets that are just south of “I like all the drivers, but Helio Castroneves is we got to know the Newton Club,” Keith said. “We try to attend all probably my favorite,” Keith said. “He is a pretty him and carried on the big races, but if we can’t go then we give the tick- cool guy I think.” all the time.” ets to our kids or other relatives. We are big IndyCar The next big step Iowa Speedway can take would Supporting the fans. That’s one of the main reasons we have tickets.” be to somehow add a NASCAR Sprint Cup race to town they both The Iowa Corn IndyCar Series race has been a the schedule. grew up in is a big part of the Iowa Speedway since the track opened And even though NASCAR isn’t the Sevenberpart of why the in 2006. gens favorite series, they know the importance of Sevenbergens have It was the prize jewel to the season until NAS- landing that kind of race and what it could do for season tickets at CAR brought its Xfinity Series formerly known as the town.

Iowa Speedway.

Busch and Nationwide Series, to town.

“It’s been a successful track and I hope it continues The Sevenbergens received a Keith is a reBut the Sevenbergens don’t put NASCAR ahead to be,” Kathy said. “It would be nice if it would conpass to the Meet and Greet with tinue to bring more development around the track.”

IndyCar drivers during the Iowa tired city worker of the open-wheelers.

Corn 300 in July as part of their and Kathy used “I grew up listening to it on the radio,” Keith season-ticket holders package. to be a manager at said. “Then I watched it for years on TV. I fell in SUPER FANS | Page 8

Speedway, Thursday, May 14, 2015 — Page 8

If moving to Newton for yourself or a loved one is in your future, make plans to tour our beautiful facility.

• Independent Living • Assisted Living • Assited Living Memory Care • Newton Village Health Care Center

641-792-0115 • 110 N. 5th Ave. W., Newton

NOW OPEN Hours: Monday 3-10 p.m.

Tues.-Sun. Noon-10 p.m.

Grill closes at 8:30pm 21 E. STATE ST. COLFAX, IA Snacks • Pop • Cold Beer • Chilled Wine Liquor • Milk • Energy Drinks • Mixers • Ice • E- Cigarettes • Cigarettes • Cigarette Rolling Supplies

641-275-9035

Cigarettes at state minimum

Newton, IA

Convenient drive thru window

Mon-Thurs • 9 am - 10 pm Fri-Sat • 9 am - 11 pm Sunday • 9 am - 10 pm now We ve ha ne pa Pro

Newton KOA

RV Park & Campground

Within 1 mile of I-80 at Exit 168 and the Iowa Speedway!

3 Level Pull-Thru Sites 3 Free Wireless Internet 3 Nature Trail 3 Full or Partial Hookups 3 Good City Water 3 Coin Laundry 3 RV Storage 3 Free Hot Showers

3 Swimming Pool 3 Children’s Play Area 3 Game Room 3 Shuffleboard 3 Ping Pong 3 Horse Shoes 3 Basketball 3 Volleyball

3 K-9 Park 3 Camp Store 3 Ice 3 Dump Station 3 Cable TV 3 Fishing Pond 3 Rental Cabin Available 3 Firewood

1601 E. 36th St. S., Newton, IA (641) 792-2428 • Reservations Only 1-877-792-2428 email: rollingacres@iowatelecom.net • www.koa.com/campgrounds/newton

3 Miles to Downtown Newton: Restaurants, Tennis & Golf!

Submitted photo Mindi and Kerry Walker, seen here at Iowa Speedway in 2010 during a Nationwide (now Ixfinity Sereis) race, have had Iowa Speeway season tickets since the track opened in 2006. They have four tickets in the Newton Club and their favorite race weekend this year will be July 17-18 when the Iowa Corn IndyCar Series 300 invades Newton.

Super Fans Continued from Page 7 Keith added, “It’d be great for Newton if they were able to bring in a Sprint Cup race..

I’d like to see one. The thing is getting an open date from someone. That seems to be the problem. They can pull it off if it did come though.”

The Sevenbergens aren’t the only couple in town that has had season tickets to Iowa Speedway since it opened.

Kerry and Mindi Walker are part of that group, too.

Their four tickets are in the Newton Club.

“The Newton Club is a great place to have seats,” Mindi said. “We live to be able to be the

stands to watch the race but then also enjoy going inside the club and having social time with family and friends.”

The Walkers were excited when Iowa Speedway came to town. To them, it helped ease the pain of losing Maytag.

“We were excited about the track opening,” Mindi said. “it was something exciting happening especially since we had such devastation with Maytag closing.”

Like the Sevenbergens, the Walkers favorite race weekend will be when the stars of IndyCar invade the track in July. They have family and friends that come from out of state to watch that race.

The owners of ServiceMaster of Newton

also enjoy attending the weekly races in Knoxville and making their way around to other tracks in the Midwest.

Racing has been a part of their lives for a long time. And having a track like Iowa Speedway in their backyard gives them easy access to a sport they love.

“We have always enjoyed the races,” Mindi said. “We love Newton and we love that Newton has such a great facility to be a part of.

“Being at the track is such a great experience. The races are fun and exciting to watch and we also enjoy the concerts, tailgating and spending time with family and friends.”

Contact Troy Hyde at 641-792-3121 ext. 6536 or thyde@newtondailynews.com

Speedway, Thursday, May 14, 2015 — Page 9

Three IndyCar races, ARCA return to Iowa in July

By Jocelyn Sheets Newton Daily News IndyCar racing fans will get their money’s worth at Iowa Speedway in 2015. IndyCar brings all three levels of its racing to The Fastest Short Track on the Planet — all on one day.

That’s right. Iowa Speedway becomes IndyCar Central on July 17-18.

Three levels of IndyCar racing will be on the Speedway track on July 18.

The IndyLights presented by Cooper Tires and the Pro Mazda Championship presented by Cooper Tires will run prior to the Verizon IndyCar Series Iowa Corn 300.

IndyCar presented the first major series race at Iowa Speedway in 2007.

Since that time, the race brings the premier open-wheel racing stars to Iowa. Last year’s IndyCar Series race winner in Iowa was Ryan HunterReay, who won for the second time in three years at Iowa.

Iowa Speedway is the shortest track on the IndyCar schedule, being .875

miles long. The Iowa Corn 300 is the 14th race of the IndyCar season.

All the practice rounds will be on July 17. On July 18, the IndyCar divisions begin qualifying laps at 1 p.m.

The Pro Mazada race begins at 4:15 p.m. followed by the Indy Lights race at 5:20 and the Iowa Corn 300 at 7:50 p.m.

That Friday-Saturday race weekend will also have the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards on July 17. The ARCA Series last ran at Iowa in 2013. It will be an 8 p.m. race.

The Iowa Speedway ARCA race is unique in that there have been no repeat winners. Previous ARCA winners here include Steven Wallace, who won the inaugural race in 2006, Frank Kimmel, Matt Hawkins, Parker Kligerman, Tom Hessert III, Ty Dillon, Alex Bowman and Grant Enfinger, who won in 2013. In addition to no repeat winners, Dillon is the only repeat pole winner.

2014 ARCA Racing Series champion Mason Mitchell and 2014 Verizon

IndyCar Verizon Series rookie Jack Hawksworth were at the Speedway in November promoting the weekend.

Hawksworth, a Bradford, England native who lives in Indianapolis now, just finished his rookie season on the Verizon IndyCar Series circuit.

Hawksworth has competed on the Iowa Speedway track in all three levels of IndyCar racing. He finished 17th in the 2014 Iowa Corn Indy 300 driving for Bryan Herta Autosport, but that has changed. Hawksworth joined A.J.Foyt Racing in 2015.

“If you are into short track racing and seeing cars race wheel-to-wheel, side-by-side all night long, which sounds pretty exciting to me, this is one of the best (tracks) to come to,” Hawksworth said. “IndyCar drivers and crews love to race here. It’s a great treat to see three (Indy) races back-toback-back on one day.”

Mitchell, who is a West Des Moines native, made his ARCA debut at Iowa Speedway in 2012. Following his first full season of racing in

ARCA, Mitchell developed his own racing team Mason Mitchell Motorsports at the end of 2013. Mitchell became the first team owner/driver to win an ARCA championship since 1993.

“For me, winning here at Iowa Speedway is more important than to win at any other track. It is one of the most exciting short tracks in America. A race here, in my opinion, is the coolest even on the schedule,” Mitchell said. “Drivers love racing here because of the how it was designed with the progressive banking and the grooves. It creates a lot of action and high speed.

“It doesn’t matter what race you go to — ARCA, IndyCar, NASCAR — the crowd support is unreal. It seems it is always a packed house.”

Fans will enjoy ethanol-powered racing with the Iowa Corn Indy 300.

Contact Jocelyn Sheets at 641-792-3121 ext. 6535 or jsheets@newtondailynews.com

Verizon IndyCar Series Iowa Corn 300 — July 18 Past Winners • 2007: Dario Franchitti • 2008: Dan Wheldon • 2009: Dario Franchitti • 2010: Tony Kanaan • 2011: Marco Andretti • 2012: Ryan Hunter-Reay • 2013: James Hinchcliffe • 2014: Ryan Hunter-Reay

937 Main Street Grinnell 641-236-4804

10 off

$

Clothing Girls: Infant-14 • Boys: Infant-7

Wide assortment of :

any regular priced footwear of $60 & over

Hair Bows • Jewelry • Chewbeads • & MORE!

Expires June 30, 2015

Must present coupon . Coupon may not be duplicated

907 Main St, Grinnell • 641-236-0182 • www.gigglesnbows.com

anna kayte’s

ladies boutique clothing

“Where Quality and Design Meet”

With the latest fashions and customer service with a flair

• Custom Framing Jewelry • Gifts • Home Decor & More!

Serving 2 locations:

641-236-4615

Newton 118 N. 2nd Ave W. 641-792-1696

931 Main Street, Grinnell, IA www.annakaytes.com

Locally owned variety & craft store with old time flavor • • • •

1/2 price cards/stationery fabrics crafts custom framing

• • • •

yarns home decor old fashion candy counter souveniers

609 Franklin St Pella, IA 50219 . (641) 628-3640

s

ity U

Qual

g for

othin ed Cl

t

tire he En

Grinnell 918 Main Street 641-236-3344

ily Fam

ell n n ri ail.com G • t. ment@gm 26 S n ai2consign 36-81 M 912 phase 641-2

Silver Lining a kaleidoscope of styles

733 Franklin St., Pella 641-628-3650 www.silverliningpella.com Hours: M, T, W, F - 9-5:30 Thurs. 9-8:00 Sat. 9-6:00

. Gifts . Baby & Kids . Gourmet . Coffee Beans

Shop.Sell.Save.

Womens, Mens, Kids Clothing & Accessories M-F 9-6 Sat 9-3

. 641-628-3535

630 Washington St. . Pella, IA . Check Us Out on Facebook

Pella . Pella . Pella . Pella . Pella . Pella . Pella . Pella

Grinnell . Grinnell . Grinnell . Grinnell . Grinnell

Speedway, Thursday, May 14, 2015 — Page 10

NASCAR Camping World Truck Series has mix of veteran, young drivers American Ethanol 200 presented by Enogen Past Winners • 2009: Mike Skinner • 2010: Austin Dillon • 2011: Matt Crafton • 2012 Summer: Timothy Peters; Fall: Ryan Blaney • 2013: Summer: Timothy Peters ; Fall: James Bueschner • 2014: Erik Jones

Teamwork Continued from Page 5 years. She said she oversees all advertising, marketing, promotions, entertainment and sponsor fulfillments. Hansen works with marketing account executive Jenny Will.

“When you come to the Speedway and see it light up during an event with banners and announcements, the entertainment in the midway, all the pre-race and post-race activities that’s what Tami and Jenny are involved with here,” Small ssid.

“They do about everything to engage our fans and our part-

ners. They do a great job with our partners and NASCAR is all about the small and larger businesses and groups working with us to provide a great product.”

Trent Staley has been the vice president of marketing for about a year. Small said Staley came to the Speedway from the NASCAR Los Angeles office.

Staley has been working for NASCAR for five years.

Small calls Casey Campbell the Speedway’s utility man.

Campbell is the director of finance and administration and has worked at the Speedway for six years.

“I love the opportunity to wear multiple hats, working in

accounting and finance, human resources, IT and the command center,” Campbell said.

“I enjoy talking with fans and contributing in a small way to their experience at the track.”

Sabrina White is the coordinator of hospitality and administrative office director.

“Sabrina maps out all the hospitality for each event weekend,” Small said.

Tyler Clement and Luke Clement are the directors of the Speedway’s operations and track services, respectively.

Both have been involved with the Speedway for a long time.

Luke Clement has worked at the Speedway since March

Speedway, Thursday, May 14, 2015 — Page 11

By Jocelyn Sheets Newton Daily News Some of the top talent in the NASCAR ranks run in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. Here at Iowa Speedway that would be the American Ethanol 200 on June 19.

For the second year in a row, the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series comes to Iowa Speedway only once. The seventh annual American Ethanol 200 presented by Enogen provides fans a great look at younger up-and-coming drivers and veterans, who enjoy the racing at the truck series level.

Two of the youngest drivers on the NASCAR scene from trucks to the Sprint Cup races are Erik Jones and Ryan Blaney. Matt Crafton is the reigning NCWTS champion. All three have posted wins at Iowa.

“It’s great racing. If you watch any racing and you’re a true racer, truck racing is the definitely the best racing in NASCAR,”

2006. He is responsible to staff and support 160 firefighters and emergency medical personnel.

“I enjoy working with people and a challenge,” Luke Clement said. “Working at a motorsports facility like Iowa Speedway provides both of those attributes. Working with the staff here and assisting race fans is the best part of my job.”

Tyler Clements oversees the security and the maintenance department, where the “Macgyvers” of the Speedway are, according to Small. Jeff Doeden, Scott Huffaker and Tony Webster all have certain skill sets to help keep the Speedway facility in good condition. Doeden is a

Crafton said. “I firmly believe that, not just because I race it. Since 1995 when I started watching the truck racing, I thought it was amazing racing.

“It’s just awesome. The races are short enough that we race so hard from green flag to checkered flag.”

Jones claimed the victory in 2014 in front of Blaney, who had won here in 2012. Crafton captured a truck series win at Iowa Speedway in 2011, and finished third here last year.

Crafton, who was at Iowa Speedway May 5 for a Goodyear tire test, said the Newton track is a short track, but it races like it is a mile and half. “It’s a lot of fun racing here,” he said.

Jones made his first Sprint Cup start at Kansas Speedway on May 10, driving for the injured Kyle Busch. He drives for Kyle Busch Motorsports full time in the truck series.

Contact Jocelyn Sheets at 641-792-3121 ext. 6535 or jsheets@newtondailynews.com

certified electrician and Webster is a certified plumber.

“We also hire on a couple dozen extra workers during the season. We just had our training with 300 part-time fire and safety personnel, security workers and guest services group,” Small said.

“Everything we do here at the Speedway is dedicated tot he fan experience and the partner experience. As we work toward the quality package for the fans and partners, we’re also working to give our people opportunities to improve their skill sets, grow and gain experience and knowledge in the industry.”

Speedway, Thursday, May 14, 2015 — Page 12

LET’S GO

Proud supporter of the Newton Speedway

your essential business partner

www.keycoop.com

RACING