Iowa Speedway prepares for 2013 race weekends

Fast, furious and fun action is about to begin at Iowa Speedway.

The 2013 season opens with the first of five major race weekends with the NASCAR Nationwide Series DuPont Pioneer 250, following the NASCAR K&N Pro Series Casey's General Stores 150 at the .875-mile oval in Newton. The Nationwide race is set for 7 p.m. Saturday with the K&N Pro Series running Friday at 8 p.m.

For the second straight year, Iowa Speedway hosts two Nationwide , two NASCAR Camping World Trucks Series and the IZOD IndyCar Series races.

"The fans have gotten their arms around it and excited for this schedule," Iowa Speedway CEO Doug Fritz said. "We think it's the best one we've had in eight years of racing at Iowa Speedway."

This season they are squeezed into a smaller window, opening later than the last couple of years and earlier than a year ago. Fritz said the track supporters voiced concerns about the Nationwide race in May conflicted with graduation ceremonies. Iowa Speedway worked with governing bodies of NASCAR and secured the June date.

"It just seems the offseason is a little longer than normal," Fritz said. "People are ready to get racing here at Iowa Speedway. It's finally coming up next weekend."

Saturday will be the first of two Nationwide races, including the U.S. Cellular 250 on Aug. 3. Newton attracts notable drivers, including Kyle and Kurt Busch, Brad Keselowski, Carl Edwards, and Kevin Harvick. This year won't be different. Fritz said Penske Racing's Joey Logano and 2011 Daytona 500 winner Trevor Bayne will compete next weekend, beginning a stretch of three big events in a little more than a month.

Logano won the first NASCAR event at Iowa Speedway - a 2007 K&N Pro Series race - and led the first competitive lap at the track in 2006.

"We're really excited," Fritz said. "We think it's a great way to start the season."

IZOD IndyCar will bring its star-studded roster to Iowa Speedway for the seventh annual Iowa Corn Indy 250 on Sunday, June 23. The 2013 Indianapolis 500 champion Tony Kanaan leads the way. He has experienced success here, winning the 2010 event.

"He's a great champion (and) a great individual," Fritz said. "He's a class act. It was great to see him win the Indianapolis 500."

NASCAR Trucks American Ethanol 200 is Saturday, July 13,  The season concludes with a NASCAR Trucks race on Saturday, Sept. 8.

"The thing that's great about our schedule is we have a nice combination of Friday night, Saturday night and Sunday afternoon races," said Fritz, noting the smaller circuits running on Friday nights and the IndyCar event moved back to Sunday. "We moves the Nationwide race from May to June and we also moved the last Trucks race up a week away from the Iowa/Iowa State football game."

The atmosphere that surrounds the track helps set Iowa Speedway's events apart. There are always activities for fans to participate, allowing for fans to camp on site and tailgating is a regular occurrence. The track will also have post-race concerts and other amenities for fans.

"That's where we wanted to focus our efforts," Fritz said. "We really want to make this the best experience we can and that's what makes them want to come back the next time."

Fritz said tickets are still available for all races, starting at $20. Season ticket packages are also remain. Fritz encourages fans to visit

www.iowaspeedway.com for tickets and additional information.