May 01, 2024

New signage planned for Iowa Speedway

By Jamee A

To better direct visitors to Iowa Speedway, new signage will be added at the two main spectator entrances. The renderings of the signs were presented to the Newton City Council, which approved the new signs at its last meeting. (Submitted Image)

Striking new signage will greet visitors at Iowa Speedway this season.

Newton City council recently OK’d the permanent directional signs guiding visitors around the Iowa Speedway area.

“I had an event held out there for several businesses and I know a lot of them ended up at the main office trying to find where the suites were located. Even after getting directions, I think this will be truly beneficial,” councilwoman Miranda Kulis said.

The monument style signs will contain two panels, each approximately 18.5 square feet in size. The first sign will be located within the southern right-of-way for Rusty Wallace Drive near the west entrance to the Iowa Speedway facility, or the first driveway east of the Newton Municipal Airport entrance.

With the proposed signs near the airport, it is the responsibility of Iowa Speedway and the sign contractor to ensure the signs meet FAA height requirement.

Currently, there are no anticipated issues with the signs, as they are lower in height than nearby street lights.

The second sign will be located within the eastern right-of-way for Iowa Speedway Drive, just north of the intersection with Lincoln Street.

Newton Public Works has reviewed the approved locations stating the signs in the right-of-way of a rural road section with no curb must be constructed to minimize the impact to the motorist if the motorist were to leave the roadway and hit the sign. Also, the sign post material, placement and installation must meet criteria of the Federal Highway Administration’s Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices.

“They are very attractive looking signs and they also compliment our way finding signs throughout the community,” Newton Mayor Mike Hansen said.

Under the city of Newton sign ordinance, off-premise advertising signage is not allowed. The city has found that Iowa Speedway is a unique entity in the community and the signs will be a benefit to the general public in directing the thousands of visitors who attend speedway events.

“I think this makes a lot of sense in terms of directing visitors around the large area and the signs look really nice,” councilwoman Evelyn George said.

Iowa Speedway is responsible for all construction and payment for the signage with no cost directed to the city. Officials from the speedway expect the signs to be in place for the first race weekend in June.

Contact Jamee A. Pierson at 641-792-3121 ext. 6534 or jpierson@newtondailynews.com