staying focused on providing a safe and reliable way to get to Iowa Speedway in often brutal winter weather.

Another huge consideration during a snow event is the physical plant itself. Have there been any exposed pipes that may freeze and then burst, causing a major maintenance nightmare? What about the HVAC systems, doorways, restrooms, and facilities such as the Newton Club that are frequently utilized during winter months? And are the internal access roads to the Suite Tower and infield facilities cleared enough to allow access in the event of a maintenance crisis?

The racetrack surface itself is subject to the abuse of winter weather, which is why our maintenance crew takes pains to do any indicated repairs, such as re-sealing seams or small cracks in the pavement prior to November each year. Thankfully, Iowa Speedway’s 7/8-mile tri-oval was paved using state-of-the-art construction standards, and the asphalt mix contains a polymer substance that minimizes cracking due to extreme temperature variations. Precisely the environment — from the scorching heat of summer to the sub-zero temperatures of winter — to which we are subjected in central Iowa.