The biggest motorsports event in a state with a long history of auto racing will happen Sunday.
That's when America's premier racing circuit, NASCAR, will stage a top-tier Cup Series race, the Iowa Corn 350, at Iowa Speedway in Newton.
The race, one of more than 35 a year held across the country, will feature a sellout crowd, multimillionaire drivers, celebrity fans and a television audience that regularly ranges from 1 million to 4 million-plus. Only international races like the worldwide Formula One series and the once-a-year Indianapolis 500 regularly draw more viewers.
It's not the first Cup-level NASCAR race in Iowa, but it's literally been a lifetime since the other one, 71 years ago in 1953. And the differences between racing then and now are stark.
The race that year was staged on a dirt track in Davenport, and included drivers who worked regular jobs during the week and drove cars they bought off the lot at car dealers, says Bob Baker, executive director of Knoxville's National Sprint Car Hall of Fame & Museum.
"You'd take out the front windshield, the headlights, probably the rear blinkers" to lighten the car and then drive it or tow it on a rickety trailer to the track, Baker said.
Afterward, you'd drive home and "clean everything up so your wife wouldn't find out," he said.
Iowa still has a lot of part-time racers, he said, and most county fairgrounds have dirt tracks that host seasonal competitions. His own circuit, Sprint cars, still races on dirt, as well. But it's grown more sophisticated and professional over the years and developed into a stepping stone for future drivers such as NASCAR's second-ranking Cup Series racer, Kyle Larson, who will be on hand for a World of Outlaws series event Saturday at Knoxville Raceway before Sunday's big race in Newton.
Despite Iowans' passion for racing ― Baker said they represent the majority of season ticket holders at Kansas Raceway, a regular Cup Series host ― it took a serendipitous event to bring top-level NASCAR competition back to the state.
That was the decision to remodel Cup Series race host Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California, opening a spot on the schedule, and the availability of Iowa Speedway, which NASCAR just happens to own.
It's unclear whether this will be another one-of-a-kind race, like the one in 1953, or a longer-term crowning event for Iowa's annual motorsports season. Baker, who will be in the stands in Newton on Sunday, cautioned Iowans about getting their hopes up, with Kansas Raceway close by and not eager for competition.
"It's a very calculated business decision," he said. "I'd expect it to be here for a year, two years. I'm just happy it's happening now."
Here is what to know about the big weekend.
Can I still buy tickets?
Cup Series tickets sold out last fall during a pre-sale before they could even go on sale to the rest of the public. Individual tickets are available only at dramatically marked-up prices on resale sites like SeatGeek and StubHub.
For Saturday's Xfinity Series race, one of the weekend's two other events, tickets sold out in March. But tickets for it and Friday's Menards ARCA Series race are available through resellers at more affordable prices.
Some Menards Series tickets remained available as of Thursday.
A limited number of travel packages with tickets through NASCAR are available and include stays at the Des Moines Downtown Marriott and roundtrip transportation to and from Newton.
What time is the ARCA Menards Series Race?
The ARCA Menards Series ARCA 150 is scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday.
What time is the Xfinity Series race?
The Hy-Vee Perks 250 is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Saturday.
What time is the NASCAR Cup Series Race?
The Cup Series race is scheduled for 6 p.m. Sunday.
How long is the ARCA Menards Series Race?
The ARCA 150 will be 150 laps of the 7/8 mile oval, which equals 132 miles.
How long is the Xfinity Series Race?
The Hy-Vee Perks 250 will be 250 laps of the 7/8 mile oval, or 218.75 miles.
How long is the Cup Series Race?
The Iowa Corn 350 will be 350 laps of the 7/8 mile oval, which equals 306.25 miles.
What will the traffic be like on race days?
The Iowa Department of Transportation says state and local law enforcement officials will provide traffic control as up to 35,000 race spectators arrive and depart. It says minor traffic delays are possible and recommends arriving early.
The DOT notes that a section of Iowa 14 between Newton and Monroe, as well as Jasper County Road F-48, are closed for construction.
It says that after the races, exit ramps from Interstate 80 to Iowa Speedway Drive will be closed to facilitate the departing traffic.
How much will parking cost?
General parking will be free for grandstand ticketholders. Parking is in a grass lot off Rusty Wallace Drive behind Turn 4 near the Newton Municipal Airport.
Parking maps are available on the Iowa Speedway website at iowaspeedway.com or on the NASCAR Tracks App.
What other parking options are available?
Newton Club members and luxury suite ticketholders have reserved parking both on paved and grass surfaces behind the main grandstand.
Americans with Disability Act-compliant parking will be on paved and grass surfaces behind the main grandstand.
NASCAR also is selling all-inclusive packages for fans. Parking for them is next to the ADA lot behind the turn 1 seats.
What ADA accommodations are there?
Golf carts and trams are available to help individuals who need assistance. Fans with infield credentials may take trams from the tram stop near Turn 1 or request an ADA shuttle from tram stop workers, guest services or information booths.
An elevator is available for fans with suite seating. All ADA-compliant Newton Club and grandstand seats are at ground level, according to the track's website.
Are service animals allowed?
Service animals as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act are allowed, as long as they are trained to work for or perform tasks for individuals with disabilities, according to the track's website. Emotional support, therapy and comfort animals are not allowed in ticketed and credentialed areas.
Service animals must be leashed at all times.
Are wheelchairs permitted?
Wheelchairs and electric scooters are allowed into grandstand areas.
When do the camping lots open?
Camping lots opened at 9 a.m. Thursday, and campers must depart by noon Monday.
When do the parking lots open?
Parking lots open at noon Friday, 6 a.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. Sunday.
When does the grandstand open?
Grandstand gates open at 1 p.m.Friday, 10 a.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday.
What can I bring in?
Bags, backpacks, diaper bags, purses, fanny packs and clutch bags that do not exceed 18-by-18 inches and 14 inches width.
Soft-sided coolers no bigger than 14-by-14 inches and 14 inches width.
Sealed water bottles.
Cameras, binoculars, race scanners and headsets that can be worn over the neck or belt or carried in a bag.
iPads, tablets and laptop computers.
Seat cushions without metal components.
Insulated cups with a maximum volume of 64 ounces.
Cigarettes and lighters.
Coats and blankets.
Ice.
Sunscreen, sunblock, hand sanitizer and bug spray in aerosol, gel or liquid form.
National flags mounted on a pencil-sized wooden stick.
What is not allowed in?
Firearms.
Foam or hard-sided coolers.
Utility tools and multi-purpose tools with knife blades longer than 3 inches.
Displays of the Confederate flag.
Pets and animals not registered as service animals.
Wagons.
Drones.
Frisbees, beach balls, balloons or projectiles.
Bikes, skateboards, hoverboards and roller skates.
Selfie sticks.
Aerosol cans excluding those for sunscreen, bug spray and hand sanitizer.
Collapsible chairs.
Seat cushions with metal components.
Tripods.
Glass containers.
Dry ice.
May alcohol be brought in?
At many NASCAR tracks, outside food and drinks can be brought in, including canned alcoholic beverages. Iowa law gives alcohol licensees the option of letting patrons bring sealed containers of beer and wine, but not hard liquor, said John Fuller, a spokesperson for the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division. But Iowa Speedway chooses not to permit it, Iowa Speedway President Eric Peterson said in an email.
Fans may bring only sealed water bottles in soft-sided coolers that comply with the track's size restrictions, according to the track's website.
What is the Midway?
Outside the main gates, the Midway is where entertainment, the fan fest, sponsor promotions and driver question-and-answer sessions take place. It's also where to find souvenir trailers.
Who will the pre-race band be?
Tim "Beer on a Boat" Dugger is booked to perform post-race Saturday at a time to be announced. Iowa-based singer/songwriter Neva Alden is scheduled to perform pre-race Friday, andeastern Iowa band Flatland Ridge is slated for pre-race on Sunday. Check the Iowa Speedway website closer to race weekend for more details.
What is NASCAR Overtime?
NASCAR Overtime is NASCAR's way of trying to ensure races are completed under green-flag conditions. If there is a caution in the final few laps, a race may be extended beyond its scheduled distance, with two laps under a green flag.
If the caution flag waves before the Overtime leader takes the white flag, signifying the last lap, another Overtime can be held. If the leader takes the white flag, the next flag ends the race.
NASCAR overtime rules, explained: How OT works for Cup Series races in 2024
Will any Iowans race?
At two least Iowans could compete in the Xfinity Series Race.
Johnston native Sammy Smith, 20, drives full time in the Xfinity Series. In 2023, Smith began competing for the powerhouse Joe Gibbs Racing team and won his first Xfinity race at Phoenix Raceway in spring 2023.
This year Smith is driving for Jr. Motorsports, owned by NASCAR Hall-of-Famer and two-time Daytona 500 Winner Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Joey Gase, 31, is a Cedar Rapids native who drives part time in the Xfinity Series. Gase has raced parts of eight seasons in the Cup Series.
He gained recent notoriety for throwing his bumper cover at the car of Dawson Cram after an April wreck at Richmond Raceway. He was fined $5,000 for the safety violation, according to Fox Sports.
Another Iowan with recent Cup and Xfinity Series experience is Brett Moffitt, 31, a Grimes native who won the 2018 NASCAR Trucks Series Championship at Iowa Speedway on Father’s Day weekend in front of his family and friends. Destiny Homes, a Waukee-based home builder, was his sponsor.
Moffitt is currently driving in the Truck Series. It is unclear whether Moffitt or Gase will drive during the Cup Series weekend.
Can stock cars damage hearing?
Without a doubt. IndyCars, which will race at Iowa Speedway in July, are quieter than stock cars. Most people find that the sound of IndyCars is at the top of what is tolerable without hearing protection. But prolonged periods of exposure to stock cars without hearing protection can result in permanent hearing impairment.
What type of hearing protection should I bring?
Silicone ear plugs can be molded to ears and reduce noise by about 22 decibels. At Walmart, name-brand Mack's earplugs cost $3.96 for six pairs. Generic Equate earplugs cost $3.52 for six pairs.
Most retailers that sell hardware and tools, like Walmart, The Home Depot and Lowe's, also sell noise-reducing ear muffs for $15 to $40.
Racing Electronics sells several models of headphones and ear muffs for $15 to $125.
How can I rent a race scanner?
One of the unique things about NASCAR and IndyCar is that fans can listen to communications between drivers and their teams on their radio channels. Fans can hear crew chiefs relay strategy, spotters tell drivers where other drivers are and occasionally drivers swearing.
It would be like listening to an NFL offensive coordinator call a play for a quarterback. NFL teams, however, use radio-jamming signals so fans can't listen in. But radios are part of racing culture.
Any UHF radio can be programmed to listen to drivers. Websites like Speedway Digest publish drivers' frequencies. Racing Electronics makes most of the radio equipment used by NASCAR drivers and teams and rents scanners to fans at most tracks.
According to the Racing Electronics website at racingelectronics.com. A scanner with one set of headphones costs $47.95 for the weekend, a scanner with two sets of headphones costs $63.95, and a scanner with two sets of headphones and an intercom system costs $79.95.
How can I buy a race scanner?
Racing Electronics sells its RE3000 UHF scanner online for $264.95. Headphones cost $40 on the low end and $125 on the high end, or $200 for each headset with an intercom function.
The scanner can be programed at any Racing Electronics trailer at tracks in about a minute to show driver numbers, names and frequencies. It also can be manually programmed.
What is the re-entry policy?
Re-entry is allowed if grandstand or suite tickets are scanned before fans leave the track. To re-enter, have a staff member scan your ticket on your way out of the gate. Then it will be re-scanned on your way back in.
What happens if it rains?
If a race cannot be completed as scheduled, tickets will be honored on the rescheduled date. Fans who cannot make a rescheduled race may exchange for tickets to a future race. For more information, visit the Iowa Speedway Website.
Philip Joens covers retail, real estate and RAGBRAI for the Des Moines Register. He can be reached at 515-284-8184, pjoens@registermedia.com or on Twitter @Philip_Joens.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: What to know about the first NASCAR Cup Series race at Iowa Speedway
