Fans pass love for racing to next generation at Iowa Speedway’s opening races

With every major sport, there are always super fans. Racing is no different.

Some paint their faces. Others wear flamboyant get-ups. One fan from Des Moines shows her love for the sport in another way — by turning her husband’s hair into a true work of art.

“We’ve been out here since 2006, when (Iowa Speedway) opened. I’ve got pins from 2007 and inaugural 2006,” Cory Byrd said. “I love racing since I played with my little sizzler cars (when I was little).”

Saturday, NASCAR fans complimented, high-fived and took selfies with Cory as he showed off his new mohawk, specifically designed for the American Ethanol E15 250 Presented by Enogen at Iowa Speedway. Cory’s wife, Linda styled her husband’s hair into a mohawk, painted a checkered flag on the spikes and printed the Iowa Speedway logo on the side of his head.

The Newton Club members said Cory has been displaying these unique hairstyles at every major race at the track since 2009. They said this started on a whim to do something fun and different. After receiving a positive response from fellow racing fans, the couple decided to try to do it every year since.

“I was actually going to retire. I wasn’t going to do this year. But (Friday), we came out here and somebody said, ‘Please.’ So we rushed (Saturday) morning to get his haircut, and I got it up,” Linda said. “If I get one person to smile, then I have done my job.”

The couple said, although they love the competition, the cars and the drivers, what brings them back to the track every race is the Iowa Speedway community.

“People from Kansas and stuff, they go to other big tracks. They said, ‘This track is so nice and friendly,’” Cory said. “It is Iowa nice (out here). It is the most fast fun you could have.”

This weekend, racing fans of all ages were treated to several fun activities at the Iowa Speedway for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series M&Ms 200 presented by Casey’s General Store and the NASCAR Xfinity Series American Ethanol E15 250 presented by Enogen. From the pork fries eating contest to close interactions with the NASCAR racers at the Fan Walk, Iowa Speedway president Jimmy Small said the fans transformed the track’s season opening weekend into an unforgettable experience.

“The evening after races, after the day is over, especially after the last day of racing of the weekend, we as a staff are out here in the campgrounds. We camp with the fans all week long,” he said. “Definitely my favorite part is having a lot of fun with my staff, but also together with the fans. It is really cool just hanging out with them and showing them it is more than a job ... We are fans ourselves.”

For this weekend’s races, several fans came to the track to camp and watch the fast-pace racing, while creating memories with their families. The young race fans were treated to an array of race-related activities, from testing their tire-changing skills at the Crash Course to meeting the racers at the Kids Q&A and autograph sessions.

The attending families said, through these activities, they are able to share their love for the sport to the next generation of racing fans.

“It doesn’t cost nothing for the kids to come in here. When they are 12 and under, they come in free with a paid pass,” season ticket holder, Ron Capper said. “I was raised loving cars... We are just having family time with our grandkids.”

In common NASCAR tradition, fans exchanged casual conversations with the racers at the Fan Walk and some children walked away with unique souvenirs, as pit crew members tossed them lug nuts from the adored vehicles. According to Small, this interaction is what makes racing more personal and fun compared to the other major sports.

“NASCAR has always been a family-first, family-friendly sport. At the racetrack, we really try to make it as accommodating as possible to the next generation of fans,” he said. “They are out there with their fans because this place is really special to these drivers. It is one of their favorite tracks to race at and for the teams and drivers that have been coming out here since 2007, this place has been generating the biggest crowds they have ever seen... A lot of it is thanks to the wonderful fans we have here in Iowa.”

According to the families at the track, these little gestures, in addition to the exhilarating races always has them leaving the speedway smiling and excited to come back for more.

“It is so cool because you get something wrote on (by the drivers),” 11-year-old Hannah Ford, who received autographs from several racers at the Fan Walk, said. “It’ll give you memories when you are older.”

Due to the proximity to Memorial Day and Independence Day, the racing festivities paid tribute to the members of the armed forces by having a display of vintage military vehicles on the concourse. Saturday, the NASCAR Salutes events were held before the race, swearing in new members of the United States Air Force in front of the racing fans.

The next major races at Iowa Speedway will be ARCA Racing Series Iowa 150 and the Verizon Indycar Series Iowa Corn 300. The races’ green flag is scheduled to be waved 8 p.m. July 8 and 3:50 p.m. July 9, respectively. Campgrounds open July 6.

“We just love it down here. It is a fun place to come. People here are friendly,” Linda Byrd said. “(Racing) is something we can enjoy together.”

For more information about Cory Byrd and his race-inspired hairstyles, find MoMan RaceFan on Facebook.

For more information about the upcoming events and activities at Iowa Speedway, call 641-791-8000, visit iowaspeedway.com or find Iowa Speedway on Facebook.

Contact Anthony Victor Reyes at areyes@newtondailynews.com.