Law enforcement and Iowa Speedway officials are preparing for the 2017 race season at Iowa Speedway in Newton, Iowa and are asking Iowans and visiting race fans to do the same.
Eight races over the course of three weekends are scheduled this year. Attendance numbers will vary for each race, but organizers anticipate 17,000 to 40,000 fans will attend each race day.
The Newton Police Department, Iowa State Patrol, Iowa Department of Transportation, Jasper County Sheriff’s Office and Iowa Speedway Officials are working in conjunction with a private traffic control company to erect signs and cones that will clearly mark travel routes for fans attending the races.
Officers will be working intersections along the route to ensure traffic moves in a safe and efficient manner. Motorists traveling to and from Iowa Speedway are reminded to expect slow traffic and possible delays, obey all traffic laws, pay attention to flashing lights and signs, and always follow officers’ directions.
Motorists should avoid stopping on the traveled portion to ask questions unless it is an emergency. The key to safe and efficient traffic flow with minimal delays will be a cooperative effort between the motoring public, law enforcement and speedway staff.
Designated Travel Routes
All Race Traffic on Interstate 80:
Take Interstate 80 to Exit 168. Take exit 168 to Iowa Speedway Drive and turn south. Continue south on Iowa Speedway Drive and staff will direct you to the appropriate parking lot. Traffic will not be allowed to turn onto Rusty Wallace Drive from this interchange. Rusty Wallace Drive has been designated as an emergency route and will only be utilized for emergencies and to relieve traffic congestion.
Use the same route when exiting Iowa Speedway.
Newton Club Members and Suite Owners:
Take Interstate 80 to Exit 168 or exit 164. If arriving from the west, you are encouraged to utilize Exit 164. Exit south onto U.S. 14. Continue traveling south on U.S. 14 approximately 3.6 miles. Turn east on South 60th Avenue. Continue east 2¼ miles and turn north on County Road S-74. Continue north 3.6 miles. Turn east on Rusty Wallace Drive; signs and staff will direct you to parking from there.
Use the same route when exiting Iowa Speedway.
With a traffic increase of this magnitude, some delays are possible near the Speedway. Highways most likely to be affected are Interstate 80 near Newton at the 164 and 168 mile-markers and U.S. 14 south of Newton.
Officials expect traffic to be heaviest approximately two hours before and after each race. East- and west-bound exit ramps at the 168 interchange will be closed after the race. Also, southbound traffic on Iowa Speedway Drive at S. 13th Avenue E will be closed after the race to allow for safe and efficient egress.
Fans are encouraged to arrive at Iowa Speedway before 5:30 p.m. for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series M&M’s 200 presented by Casey’s General Store on Friday to avoid heavier traffic. Fans attending the American Ethanol E15 250 presented by Enogen on Saturday are encouraged to arrive at Iowa Speedway before 5:30 p.m. to avoid traffic delays.
Law enforcement and Iowa Speedway Officials are sensitive to the needs of local businesses and residents. To avoid congested roadways and possible delays, Jasper County residents are encouraged to use alternate routes during peak traffic periods. Once egress begins, traffic will not be permitted to enter from County Road S-74 or Interstate 80 Exit 168.
Race fans are encouraged to tune their radio to Energy 106.7 FM-KRTI before and after the event for the latest traffic information.
The Iowa Department of Transportation offers advice navigating Iowa roadways on the way to Iowa Speedway by dialing 511, Iowa’s free traffic information system. Information available through the 511 system includes travel delays, traffic crashes, roadway blockages and lane closures.
To enroll in the DPS E-mail Notification system, simply log on to dpsemailnotify.iowa.gov and follow the “Sign Me Up” instructions.