Iowa Speedway – Newton Short Oval & NASCAR Guide
Originally published June 2016. Last updated September 2026: expanded Tier B circuit guide, facts table, table of contents, internal links, NASCAR Cup calendar note, FAQ schema, and editorial refresh while preserving legacy images and video.
Iowa Speedway is a 0.875-mile (1.408 km) D-shaped oval in Newton, Iowa, about 50 km east of Des Moines. Rusty Wallace helped shape a Richmond-style layout that opened in 2006; IndyCar arrived in 2007 and NASCAR national series became the economic backbone. Marketing nicknames include “Rusty Wallace Special” and “The Fastest Short Track on the Planet.”
The venue matters because it proved a modern short oval could work in the Midwest corn belt — ARCA, IndyCar, Xfinity, and Craftsman Truck races filled the calendar before NASCAR brought the Cup Series to Newton for the first time in 2024. Compare other short ovals such as Bristol Motor Speedway, Martinsville Speedway, and intermediate sisters including Kansas Speedway and Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Contents
Iowa Speedway facts
| Location | Newton, Iowa, United States (3333 Rusty Wallace Drive) |
|---|---|
| Circuit type | 0.875-mile paved D-shaped oval plus 2.08 km (nine-turn) infield road course |
| Opened | 2006 (first major IndyCar race 2007) |
| Oval length | 0.875 miles (1.408 km) |
| Banking | 12–14° in turns; 10° front stretch; 4° backstretch |
| Seating capacity | About 30,000 grandstand seats; roughly 40,000 total venue capacity |
| Construction cost | About $70 million (2006 project) |
| Operator | NASCAR-owned speedway (since November 2013) |
| Main events | NASCAR Cup Series (from 2024); NASCAR Xfinity Series; Craftsman Truck Series; IndyCar; ARCA |
| Notable lap record (oval) | Helio Castroneves 17.2283 s (IndyCar, 2014) |
Lap record note: IndyCar, NASCAR, and sports-car categories use different tyres and aerodynamics. Compare lap times only within the same series and configuration.
Iowa Speedway opened in 2006 near Newton, Iowa
Richmond inspiration and the Wallace family
Developers built Iowa Speedway in the small town of Newton, roughly 50 km from Des Moines. The first major event was an IndyCar race in 2007, one year after the ribbon-cutting.
Former NASCAR champion and broadcaster Rusty Wallace influenced the D-shaped layout, which mirrors the feel of Richmond Raceway on a slightly shorter distance. The track picked up the informal Rusty Wallace Special nickname. Rusty’s son Steve Wallace won the 2006 ARCA season finale at the new oval before national touring series became regular visitors.
Detail from a race at Iowa Speedway
One of NASCAR’s shortest ovals
The NASCAR oval measures 0.875 miles (1.408 km) per lap — among the shortest tracks on the national stock-car calendar. Banking runs 12–14 degrees in the corners, 10 degrees on the front stretch, and just 4 degrees on the backstretch.
An infield road course spans 2.08 km with nine turns for sports-car and club events. Iowa was one of the early NASCAR venues with a full SAFER barrier installation around the racing surface, alongside Martinsville Speedway.
Grandstands at Iowa Speedway
Xfinity, Truck, IndyCar, and Cup
NASCAR Xfinity and Craftsman Truck races anchor most seasons. IndyCar has raced at Newton on the short oval, producing close restarts and heavy tyre wear. NASCAR purchased the facility in November 2013, integrating Iowa into the same corporate family as Daytona International Speedway and Charlotte Motor Speedway.
The NASCAR Cup Series joined the schedule in 2024, fulfilling the original ambition of a premier stock-car headline at the Iowa short track. Confirm current race names and dates on NASCAR’s official schedule.
Lap records, video, and driving experiences
Helio Castroneves holds the IndyCar oval reference at 17.2283 seconds from the 2014 race. On the road course, Jon Fogarty posted 41.709 s in 2007 aboard a Daytona Prototype.
Visitor programmes include the Rusty Wallace Racing Experience and The Formula Experience, where guests drive oval laps in prepared cars. The Newton Club and corporate hospitality village host non-racing events year-round.
IndyCar racing at Iowa Speedway
Getting there and parking
Des Moines International Airport is the nearest major airport; Newton Municipal Airport handles private flights. By car, take Interstate 80 to exit 168 and follow signs to Rusty Wallace Drive. The property offers about 15,000 parking spaces on major race weekends.
Frequently asked questions about Iowa Speedway
Where is Iowa Speedway?
Iowa Speedway is in Newton, Iowa, at 3333 Rusty Wallace Drive, about 50 km east of Des Moines.
How long is Iowa Speedway?
The NASCAR oval is 0.875 miles (1.408 km) per lap. An infield road course of 2.08 km with nine turns is also used for sports-car events.
When did Iowa Speedway open?
The track opened in 2006. The first major IndyCar race followed in 2007.
Who owns Iowa Speedway?
NASCAR has owned Iowa Speedway since November 2013, placing it alongside other ISC/NASCAR venues such as Daytona and Charlotte.
Does NASCAR Cup race at Iowa Speedway?
Yes. The NASCAR Cup Series joined the Iowa schedule in 2024. Xfinity and Craftsman Truck races had already been staples for several seasons.
What is the banking at Iowa Speedway?
Turns bank 12–14 degrees, the front stretch 10 degrees, and the backstretch 4 degrees.
Who holds the lap record at Iowa Speedway?
On the oval, Helio Castroneves set 17.2283 seconds in IndyCar in 2014. Road-course reference: Jon Fogarty, 41.709 s (2007).
Why is Iowa Speedway called the Rusty Wallace Special?
NASCAR legend Rusty Wallace helped design the Richmond-inspired layout. Fans and media used the informal Rusty Wallace Special nickname after the track opened.
How many seats does Iowa Speedway have?
Grandstands seat about 30,000 fans, with total venue capacity near 40,000 including additional viewing areas.
Can you drive at Iowa Speedway?
Yes. Programmes such as the Rusty Wallace Racing Experience and The Formula Experience offer guest driving laps on the oval.
Related reading
- Indianapolis Motor Speedway — Indy 500 and Brickyard oval
- Kansas Speedway — Midwest 1.5-mile tri-oval
- Michigan International Speedway — two-mile Irish Hills oval
- Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course — road-course counterpart in the Midwest
Address: 3333 Rusty Wallace Drive, Newton, IA 50208, United States
Phone: +1 866 787 8946
Official website: iowaspeedway.com