The report said that a NASCAR track was in planning with a drag strip and that Rusty Wallace is rumored to be involved.

Well folks, they have a few things wrong.

There is a NASCAR track under construction near Newton, which is east of Des Moines about 30 miles or so.

Its also no rumor that Rusty is involved, he is, in fact a partial owner and designed the track.

Rusty flew into the Quad Cities today on a promotional tour to help raise funds by selling luxury boxes and in general promote the facility. I'm watching an interview right now on TV. Rusty is really hyped about this project. Its planned to be opened in the Fall.

Unfortunately, no mention of a drag strip with this project yet.

This track will be a great economic boost to Newton. Newton is, or was, the home of Maytag which was recently sold and downsized substantially.

The track is located right next to Interstate 80 and the Newton airport. This is an ideal location.

DRO had part of it right, but you saw the real story here first!

The track is 7/8 mile oval with graduated banking. Plans include a road course in the infield as well as a 1/4 mile track.

I assume, although it wasn't specified that the 1/4 mile track must be another oval. Thers no way to get a 1/4 mile straight track with shutdown inside a 7/8 mile oval infield.

Rats!

One of our constuction management engineers left the company today to go to work for one of the companies that are building this track.

He spent most of the week in Newton and was present at a $55 a plate dinner Weds. night that Rusty and all the other owners threw.

DRO had reported the rumor that Roger Penske could be involved and my guy said the Penske Racing jet was parked at the airport most of the week although one of Penskes officers was there not Roger. Hmmmmm.

Rusty had said several times during the week that NASCAR would still need to see the facility and be present at a race before any commitments to major events would be granted. According to what went around all week was that NASCAR has already commited to several races, though no specifics were detailed but an ARCA and a truck race were the assumption.

The 1/4 mile oval starts to make sense also as the World Of Outlaws will sacntion at least one race a year right away. That should be cool. Sprint cars on asphalt are awesome.

Lastly, there has been talk of a drag strip being added at some point in the fairly near future.

This just keeps getting better.

quote:

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Originally posted by Dad Vishus:
Sprint cars on asphalt are awesome.

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They could always bring dirt in and cover the racing surface with it. That's what they have done in the past to run the Outlaw sprinters at Bristol.