The Iowa Speedway is known nationwide as “America’s Place to Race.” But this week it can add playing host to the inaugural Iowa Grand Motorcycle Rally to its burgeoning list of special events.

The rally, hosted by founder of the Broken Spoke Saloon and legendary emcee Jay Allen, began this morning and runs through Saturday night.

“When the speedway came to me, they wanted the real deal. They wanted to throw a rally and it’s right up my alley,” Allen said in an interview Monday afternoon. “Look at the history of NASCAR — they wanted to bring the history of motorcycles to a venue that already celebrates the history of stock cars.”