Strong field highlights Iowa Speedway's biggest event

The fourth of five major race weekends at Iowa Speedway shows potential to be the best.

The Newton track will host the NASCAR Nationwide Series U.S. Cellular 250 Saturday, beginning at 7 p.m. The weekend's events open with the NASCAR K&N Pro Series Pork Be Inspired 150 Friday at 8 p.m.

It is the second Nationwide event of the season and contends with the IZOD IndyCar Series Iowa Corn Indy 250 as the track's premier event.

"This will be out largest event of the year," Iowa Speedway Chief Executive Officer Doug Fritz told The Gazette Tuesday. "Our anticipation is we're going to sell out, and that's great for us and the sport."

Some of the drivers expected to compete in the event make it even more attractive. Defending NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Brad Keselowski highlights the field. He will drive one of the Team Penske car, travelling between Iowa and the Sprint Cup gobowling.com 400 at Pocono (Pa.) Raceway.

“I always enjoy getting a chance to go back and race at Iowa Speedway,” Keselowski said in a news release. “My win there in 2009 ranks as one of the biggest of my career. I still remember being able to hear the crowd as I passed the 18 car for the lead that day. The support of the fans and the community there is unmatched. The fact that they are going to honor and support the work that we do with the Checkered Flag Foundation makes it even more special.”

In June, Joey Logano had planned to drive the Team Penske car but had a conflict with Sprint Cup competition when rain pushed the Nationwide contest back a day. The track was informed about plans for Keselowski to race here in June, and was excited for the addition. It will be the first time the current Sprint Cup champ will race at Iowa Speedway.

"It was great to hear he would be joining us," Fritz said. "Drivers are no different than any other athletes. They want to race where they're good at and where they like. Brad Keselowski has won here before in 2009."

Keselowski will face stiff competition with Sprint Cup success. Trevor Bayne, who was the youngest driver to win the Daytona 500 in 2011, won the Nationwide Dupont Pioneer 250 in June. Brian Vickers recently won the Sprint Cup Camping World 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in mid-July. Sam Hornish Jr. was an accomplished IndyCar driver before his transition to NASCAR.

Richard Childress Racing also announced that Ryan Gifford will make his Nationwide Series debut at Iowa Speedway this weekend. The 23-year-old African-American race car driver has been impressive, earning a spot in NASCAR's Drive For Diversity program. He is considered one of the future stars of the sport and was selected to NASCAR Next group, highlighting emerging talent.

"We have as strong of a feild as ever," Fritz said. "It's great when you've got up-and-coming stars, and diversity efforts of NASCAR and the reace teams. There's no question the field has so many stories when you talk about all the different drivers.

"That's what makes the sport great. Fans can really latch on to their favorite drivers. They can cheer them on. They can boo the ones they dislike. That is all part of the sport as well. There's something out there for everybody."

Gifford, a native of Winchester, Tenn., is in his fourth full season in the K&N Pro Series. The 23-year-old became the first African-American to win a K&N pole position at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway in 2010.

"The biggest thing I'm looking forward to is getting out there on the track and learning more about the Nationwide cars," Gifford said Tuesday. "You know, I have zero experience in one of those cars. For me I think I just got to take it a lap at a time and just feel the car out, hopefully by the end of the weekend I'll have the Menards Chevy up front."

His crew has done a lot of work to put him in position to perform well. He has aspirations to run among the leaders.

"We definitely may have a shot even at a top five," Gifford said. "I don't know. It's one of those things where it will be getting me comfortable, getting me up to speed. From there we'll just have to see how it goes."

The race will have its own Iowa flavor as well. Cedar Rapids Joey Gase is expected to compete. Michael Annett, of Des Moines, is 20th in the points standings.  Brett Moffitt, a Grimes native who runs on the K&N Pro Series East, made his Nationwide debut last year at Iowa Speedway.

Fritz said it is no surprise that the state with the most short tracks per capita is producing strong racers.

"You have some good talented drivers and I know there's going to be more down the road from Iowa," Fritz said. "It's really a hotbed for racing."

The track will have various activities for fans to enjoy off the track as well. Music performances are scheduled to follow each race. Gates open about 10 a.m. Friday and Saturday.

"There's so much to do," Fritz said. "Tailgating is a big part of it."

Tickets are still available. Fans are encouraged to visiti

www.iowaspeedway.com or call 1 (866) RUSTY-GO.