Iowa natives Moffitt, Gase expected to be in NASCAR K&N race Saturday

NEWTON - Brett Moffitt, of Grimes, will compete at Iowa Speedway in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East/West Challenge on Saturday night. Cedar Rapids teenager Joey Gase will also be in the field.

Moffitt Returns Home, Extreme Sports Superstar Pastrana Headlines Race

NEWTON, Iowa – MAY 18, 2011 – The 2011 racing season at Iowa Speedway officially gets underway on Saturday evening when the green flag drops on the Pork Be Inspired 175 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East/West Challenge presented by Tompkins Industries.

The K&N Pro Series circuit is the launching pad for many talented up-and-coming young drivers, including Brett Moffitt, the only full-time K&N Pro Series driver from Iowa, and extreme sports legend Travis Pastrana. Moffitt and Pastrana are among more than 60 drivers from 22 states and three countries that will attempt to qualify during the Pork Be Inspired 175 at Iowa Speedway.

Moffitt, a Grimes native, made his NASCAR debut in 2009 and is only 13 points out of second place in the championship standings heading into this weekend's race.

“I am really excited to head home,” says Moffitt. “I haven't been home since March, so it will be nice to catch up with my family and friends.”

Last year, Moffitt finished 17th at Iowa Speedway, and he dreams of winning a race on his home track.

Pastrana will drive the No. 99 car for Pastrana-Waltrip Racing in the Pork Be Inspired 175. He finished 33rd in the K&N Pro Series East race at Richmond International Raceway last month, and is strategically positioning himself to make a move to the NASCAR Nationwide Series.

“I encourage all racing fans to come out to the track on Saturday and support these talented young drivers,” says Iowa Speedway President and CEO Jerry Jauron. “These are the names you're going to see leading the Cup Series point standings in the next couple of years, and you'll be glad you've been following their careers from the very beginning.”

The Pork Be Inspired 175 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East/West Challenge presented by Tompkins Industries begins at 7:15 p.m. on Saturday, May 21. Fans are invited to stick around after the race for the opening act of the 2011 Kum & Go Concert Series presented by Venom Energy Drink. Country artist Randy Houser will perform on the Grinnell Mutual Concert Stage immediately following the Pizza Ranch Victory Lane celebration and fireworks display. Get tickets for this weekend's race by calling 1-866-RUSTY-GO or visiting www.iowaspeedway.com.

About Iowa Speedway

Iowa Speedway is a state-of-the-art 7/8 mile asphalt paved tri-oval race track and motorsports facility located just 30 miles east of Des Moines at I-80 Exit 168 in Newton, Iowa. The track is owned and operated by U.S. Motorsport Corporation and designed by former NASCAR Champion Rusty Wallace, now an anchor and analyst for ABC-TV/ESPN. Iowa Speedway is designed for year-round use and includes 30,000 permanent grandstand seats. Call 1-866-RUSTY-GO or visit www.iowaspeedway.com to learn more.