Thanks to a rare break from the drudgery of winter weather, the Seventh Annual Daytona 500 party at the Iowa Speedway’s Newton Club was a success for excitement-starved race fans. The Great American Race brought out an estimated “400 to 500” race-crazy guests.

With door and raffle prizes aplenty, appearances by the Miller Light Girls and food from Ovation Food Services, fans had plenty besides the race to keep them happy. Although the atmosphere amongst the revelers was all fun and games, Iowa Speedway President Stan Clement paused in the jubilation to reflect on the tragedy that took place in Saturday’s Nationwide race at Daytona.

“I think the turnout is great, and our people do such a good job,” Clement said. “It’s a tradition and you always expect a great crowd here. It’s fun to walk in and see something like that. Of course the thing that is on everybody’s mind is the people that were involved in the vicious wreck at Daytona [Saturday]. That’s the most important thing — that that goes well. From what we’re hearing, it seems to be going as good as it can, although we don’t have reports from the people over there in the hospital. That Nationwide race is the main topic throughout the country.”