Local companies sponsor USAC race at Newton

Iowa Speedway announced Wednesday that three Iowa companies have decided to be presenting sponsors for the Casey's General Stores USAC Triple Crown Race on Friday, June 24 at the track.

The race is the same weekend as the IZOD IndyCar Series Iowa Corn Indy 250, which is Saturday, June 25.

Below is part of the news release from Iowa Speedway:

(Friday, June 24, is Pride of Iowa Day at Iowa Speedway)

NEWTON, Iowa - June 8, 2011 - Iowa Speedway is pleased to announce that Pioneer Hi-Bred, First Class Credit Union and Boyer Petroleum signed on as presenting sponsors of the Casey's General Stores United States Auto Club (USAC) Triple Crown Race in Newton, Iowa.

Fans can spend an evening under the lights at Iowa Speedway and watch as drivers compete in three races - a 25 lap midget car race, followed by a 100 lap silver crown car race and a second 25 lap midget car race - beginning at 8:15 p.m. on Friday, June 24.

This has been dubbed “Pride of Iowa Day” at Iowa Speedway because all the sponsors are Iowa-based companies.

Casey's, headquartered in Ankeny, has been an official partner of the Iowa Speedway for the past five years. In addition to its fan walk and USAC sponsorships, Casey's assists with in-store promotions and Iowa Speedway pace car appearances at many of its Central Iowa convenience store locations.

“Iowa Speedway is a great attraction for our state,” says Casey's Vice President of Marketing Mike Richardson. “We're pleased to be an official partner and provide more than 453 clean, convenient store locations for racing fans to fuel up on their way to the track.”

In addition to the Pride of Iowa Day and USAC sponsorships, Pioneer Hi-Bred is also a presenting sponsor of the Iowa John Deere Dealers 250 NASCAR Nationwide Series and Iowa Corn Indy 250 IZOD IndyCar Series races at Iowa Speedway.

“Pride of Iowa Day showcases some of the best assets our state has to offer,” says Todd Frazier, Pioneer business director for Iowa and Missouri. “Friendly people, a first-class race day experience and, of course, agriculture.”

First Class Credit Union and Boyer are first-time race sponsors but both companies are deeply rooted in the state of Iowa.

First Class Credit Union has been serving postal workers and Iowa communities since 1925. “We are proud to partner with Iowa Speedway for the 2011 racing season because of the positive impact it has on our state's economy,” says CEO Kent Strawn. “The track creates a lot of jobs and race weekends generate a significant amount of revenue for our communities.”

Family-owned and operated oil distribution company Boyer Petroleum is celebrating 75 years of service in the Des Moines community. Boyer is also the official oil supplier of Iowa Speedway.

“We wanted to do something special in honor of our 75th anniversary,” says David Boyer, President of Boyer Petroleum. “We decided that sponsoring a race, in conjunction with the Pride of Iowa Day, was a natural fit for an Iowa-based motor oil company like us.”

Iowa Speedway Vice-President of Sales and Marketing Chuck Spicer says the outpouring of support the track receives from local companies enables them to provide a better race day experience for their fans.

“We are able to offer free parking, live musical entertainment, a post-race fireworks show and affordable ticket prices because of the support we receive from Iowa-based companies like Casey's, Pioneer, First Class Credit Union and Boyer,” says Spicer. “We hope fans will join us for the Pride of Iowa Day celebrating the people that make our state a great place to live, work – and race.”

Fans are encouraged to stick around for the Never Shout Never concert beginning immediately after the Casey's General Stores USAC Triple Crown Race on the Grinnell Mutual Insurance Stage. This is all part of an exciting race weekend at Iowa Speedway featuring the Iowa Corn Indy 250 presented by Pioneer IZOD IndyCar Series Race at 7 p.m. on Saturday, June 25. Tickets are available by calling 1-866-RUSTY-GO or visiting www.iowaspeedway.com.