March 28, 2024

Iowa Speedway President to depart, shift gears at NASCAR

The youngest president of a major racing facility in the U.S. is leaving Iowa Speedway in Newton and heading to Los Angeles.

Jimmy Small, who has served as Iowa Speedway president since December 2013 when NASCAR purchased the Newton race track, will transition out over the next several weeks, NASCAR officials announced Thursday.

David Hyatt, a long-time broadcast and motorsports industry executive, has been named the new Iowa Speedway President.

Hyatt joins the Speedway after nearly 30 years in the NASCAR industry where he launched the original NASCAR.com and most recently served The Motor Racing Network (MRN) as president and executive producer. In that role, Hyatt developed, oversaw and executed the network’s operational budget, business plan and growth strategy.

“I am honored to join the Iowa Speedway team and build upon the momentum this talented group of people have established,” Hyatt said. “There is a great passion for motorsports in Iowa and we will continue fueling that passion while showcasing The Fastest Short Track on the Planet.”

Hyatt is a War, W. Va., native and graduate of East Tennessee State University with a bachelor of science degree in communications and marketing with an emphasis on broadcast performance and management. Hyatt and his family will be relocating to central Iowa.

Small has accepted a new position at NASCAR as Senior Director, International Business Development, taking a leadership role developing international strategy out of NASCAR’s Los Angeles office. Small will contribute to the sport’s efforts in developing existing and new commercial and racing opportunities for the industry abroad, according to a Iowa Speedway news release.

Small has been with NASCAR for nearly 10 years and was involved in having the local race track being a proving ground for fan-based trends to improve fan experience at Iowa Speedway and other racing venues.

“David’s unique skill set and his impressive career at MRN make him the perfect choice as my successor,” Small said. “He is a seasoned NASCAR executive with an impeccable reputation in the industry and is well positioned to lead Iowa Speedway into the future.”

During Small’s tenure, the track annually hosted a pair of NASCAR weekends, the Verizon IndyCar Series and ARCA — and nonracing events such as the Metallica’s WorldWired Tour and the NAPA Auto Parts Concert Series. ​