Rain hasn't hampered Hawkeye Downs' schedule

Despite record rainfalls in June and regular rain this summer, Hawkeye Downs Speedway has been relatively unaffected by wet weather. The asphalt oval race track hosts its weekly points races on Friday night and has only missed two rain outs and just one in the soggy month of June.

The season opener April 30 was rained out and one night in May was shortened due to weather. Hawkeye Downs Promoter Mike Becker described weather as being "perfect"  until have the June 18 races canceled.

"So far, it's been good," Becker said. "We've had two nights on the season (rained out). We've gotten to race nine times."

Some crowds have been affected by forecasts and impending weather that turned out not to alter the Friday night schedule at the race track. Becker worked at Dubuque Speedway when weather canceled all but six Sunday night race events in 2008. In comparison, the 2009 season consisted of 21 events with only one rain out.

Becker said the wet summer hasn't been a big factor.

"For the most part, we've been blessed," Becker said. "We're going to race if there's any way possible."

Independence Motor Speedway suffered two rain outs in June, while Upper Iowa Speedway and Fayette County Speedway experienced one rain out apiece in June. Upper Iowa in Decorah has had two total and Fayette County in West Union has had three.

Cedar County Raceway has had four rainouts with the June 18 points races the only casualty in the record setting month for rain in the state.