Eastern Iowa racetrack rundown

With winter (hopefully) in the rearview mirror, yet another racing season is set to begin in the Midwest — having already begun in warm-weather states — with the annual Frostbuster special at four Iowa racetracks.

The 2015 season in Eastern Iowa is set to feature ample opportunity for fans to see racers from both near and far compete for big money and track, series and national points championships.

To get you primed for the new race season, here's a breakdown of the area tracks — dirt, asphalt and drag strip — in our area. The list is one lighter this season, after Cedar County Raceway in Tipton lost its promoter and decided not to race weekly, evidence that fan attendance at local race tracks is vital for their existence.

Here are your Eastern Iowa tracks, with classes offered, contact info, major dates and location.

HAWKEYE DOWNS SPEEDWAY

Location:

Cedar Rapids

Track type:

½-mile and ¼-mile asphalt

Classes:

Big 8 Series Late Models, Modifieds, Sportsmen, INEX Legends, Hobby Stock, Hornets

General Manager (contact):

Roy Nowers (319-365-8656)

Website: http://www.hawkeyedowns.org

Weekly race day:

Friday — 6:30 p.m.

Major events:

Big 8 Series, June 5; ARCA Midwest Tour, Sept. 5

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BENTON COUNTY SPEEDWAY

Location:

Vinton

Track type:

¼-mile dirt

Classes:

IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sport Mod, IMCA Stock Car, IMCA Hobby Stock, Micro Mod

Promoter (contact):

Mick Trier (515-201-5526)

Website: http://www.jjamracing.net

Weekly race day:

Sunday — 6 p.m.

Major events:

IMCA Frostbuster, April 2; IMCA Hawkeye Dirt Tour, May 12; Hogan Memorial, July 12

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INDEPENDENCE MOTOR SPEEDWAY

Location:

Independence

Track type:

3/8-mile dirt

Classes:

IMCA Late Models, IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sport Mod, IMCA Stock Car, IMCA Hobby Stock, Micro Mod

Promoter (contact):

Dana Benning (319-334-9287 — track phone)

Website: http://www.raceindee.com

Weekly race day:

Saturday — 6:30 p.m.

Major events:

IMCA Deery Brothers Summer Series, July 8

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WEST LIBERTY RACEWAY

Location:

West Liberty

Track type:

½-mile dirt

Classes:

IMCA Late Model, IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sport Mod, IMCA Stock Car, IMCA Hobby Stock, IMCA Sport Compact

Promoter (contact):

Keith Simmons (563-744-3620)

Website: http://www.simmonspromotionsinc.com

Weekly race day:

Saturday — 6:30 p.m.

Major events:

IMCA Deery Brothers Summer Series, April 11, July 7 and Sept. 4-5 (Liberty 100); Modified Extravaganza, April 18; Sprint Car All-Star Series, July 29; MLRA Tornado Tuesday, Aug. 4

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FARLEY SPEEDWAY

Location:

Farley

Track type:

3/8-mile dirt

Classes:

IMCA Late Model, IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sport Mod, IMCA Stock Car, IMCA Hobby Stock, IMCA Sport Compact

Promoter (contact):

Keith Simmons (563-744-3620)

Website: http://www.simmonspromotionsinc.com

Weekly race day:

Friday — 7 p.m.

Major events:

IMCA Deery Brothers Summer Series, April 17 and Sept. 18-19 (Yankee Dirt Track Classic); UMP Late Models, June 17; Aftermarket Nationals, July 2; MLRA Late Models, Aug. 3

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DUBUQUE SPEEDWAY

Location:

Dubuque

Track type:

3/8-mile dirt

Classes:

IMCA Late Model, IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sport Mod, IMCA Stock Car, IMCA Hobby Stock, IMCA Sport Compact

Promoter (contact):

Keith Simmons (563-744-3620)

Website: http://www.simmonspromotionsinc.com

Weekly race day:

Sunday — 7 p.m.

Major events:

IMCA Deery Brothers Summer Series, July 12

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JACKSON COUNTY SPEEDWAY

Location:

Maquoketa

Track type:

3/8-mile dirt

Classes:

IMCA Late Model, Modifieds, Outlaw Super Bomber, IMCA Sport Mod, Hobby Stock, 4-Stock

Promoter (contact):

Tim Current (563-495-2503) and Ryan Duhme (563-590-4095)

Website: http://www.jcraceway.com

Weekly race day:

Saturday — 6 p.m.

Major events:

$2,000 to win Modifieds, April 11; IMCA Deery Brothers Summer Series, June 9; Independence Day Late Model special, July 4; IMRA Midgets, Aug. 15

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DAVENPORT SPEEDWAY

Location:

Davenport

Track type:

¼-mile and ½-mile dirt

Classes:

IMCA Late Model, IMCA Modified, Street Stock, IMCA Sport Mod, 4-Stock

Promoter (contact):

DRT TRAK Racing, Inc. (563-249-1387)

Website: http://www.davenportspeedway.com

Weekly race day:

Friday — 6:30 p.m.

Major events:

Rebel 5K for IMCA Late Models, April 10; MLRA Late Models, May 8; IMCA Modified Madness, May 22

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CEDAR FALLS MOTORSPORTS PARK

Location:

Cedar Falls

Track type:

¼-mile asphalt drag strip

Classes:

IHRA Top E.T., IHRA Modified, IHRA Sportsman, IHRA Jr. Dragster, Trophy

General Manager (contact):

Justin Kruse (319-899-1905)

Website: http://www.racecfmp.com

Weekly race day:

Friday (6:30 p.m.), Saturday (11 a.m.) and Sunday (9 a.m.)

Major events:

Midnight Mania, May 9-10; IMRA Mud Drag/Mud Bog, June 13 and Aug. 8; Night of Fire Bracket Race, July 18; IHRA Street Warriorz, Aug. 1; Harleys & Hot Rods, Aug. 22

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TRI-STATE RACEWAY

Location:

Earlville

Track type:

¼-mile asphalt drag strip

Classes:

NHRA Super Pro, NHRA Pro, NHRA Sportsman, NHRA Pro Bike, Street Bike, Quick 16, Trophy, NHRA Jr. Dragster, High School

Track Manager (contact):

Bill Cassill (563-923-3724)

Website: http://www.tristateraceway.com

Weekly race day:

Saturday (10 a.m.) and Sunday (9 a.m.)

Major events: NHRA

King of the Track, July 4; NHRA National Open July 18-19; Iowa State Championship, Aug. 1; Midwest Summer Classic, Sept. 5-6; NHRA/Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, Sept. 11-13; National Dragster Challenge, Sept. 27

l Comments: (319) 368-8884; jeremiah.davis@thegazette.com