National Iowa Speedway Day declared Saturday

In honor of its loyal fans, the Iowa Speedway announced the date of July 8 to be declared National Iowa Speedway Day, prompting increased perks throughout the day, beginning at this year’s weekend race.

Iowa Speedway President Jimmy Small announced Wednesday the date of July 8 will symbolize the Iowa Speedway’s unique characteristics and will aim to honor those who have made it great.

For the inaugural celebration of National Iowa Speedway Day, the racetrack will express gratitude by naming the upcoming ARCA Racing Series event the “Fans with Benefits 150.”

This race, dedicated to Iowa Speedway’s season ticket holders, will amp up the existing rewards program by offering even more perks to its most loyal fans throughout the day.

These perks will include, among many others, official roles as the Grand Marshal, Honorary Starter and Trophy Presenter.

Iowa Speedway President Jimmy Small said the inception of the idea to create a National Iowa Speedway Day began more than two years ago.

“When NASCAR came in and acquired the Speedway at the end of 2013, one of the things that Brian France, chairman of NASCAR, asked us to accomplish was to re-brand the Speedway,” Small said.

According to Small, that process really started with the new logo and the new tag line, “The Fastest Short Track on the Planet.” The new logo features a number 7 and a number 8 to represent the 7/8-mile asphalt paved tri-oval race track.

“We wanted to incorporate the unique qualities that really set us apart from other race tracks,” Small said. “7/8 kept coming up and we wanted to use that in some way ... That’s how that started and how that logo came about. People are becoming more familiar with it today.”

In addition to creating a 7/8 logo, Small said they wanted to see what else they could do with that attraction and that number. Small said it dawned on them that the Iowa Speedway is active on that very date, July 8.

“We played around with it for about two years, and we knew that we wanted to do it right,” Small said. “This made a ton of sense, we had the race that fell on that exact date and everything aligned.”

Small said fans who are selected as the Grand Marshal or as the Honorary Starter will have a special experience they will never forget. The winners will be selected at random through an account generator.

To be selected as the Trophy Presenter and participate in victory lane, the winner will have to pick a number from a hat, and the winner will be someone who picks the correct number of the car that wins.

“Then they will get to come on stage and give that trophy on our behalf,” Small said. “Other surprises are planned that haven’t been given away just yet.”

In years to come, the date of July 8 will continue to be celebrated in some way, even if a race doesn’t happen to fall on that date.

“We want to do this every year moving forward, and we will honor that date every year forward and we will see how it aligns with our next schedule,” Small said. “If it doesn’t fall on an event day then we will plan other ways to reward our fans.”

Established in 2006, Iowa Speedway’s founding families sought to embody Iowa’s motor sports-saturated soul by building the world’s fastest short-track. Located in the heart of the Hawkeye State, Iowa Speedway has since become an internationally recognizable sports and entertainment brand, revving the state’s engine in front of millions of fans every year.

To demonstrate sincere appreciation to these devoted fans, Iowa Speedway developed an unprecedented season ticket holder rewards program in 2015. The program, known as “Fans with Benefits,” provides upgraded race day experiences for season ticket holders, which are traditionally reserved for sponsors.

“We are sincerely appreciative of fans’ support. This race track would not have the cache or brand as well known throughout this country and throughout the world without our fans,” Small said. “If you talk to the drivers or our teams, this Newton community is so hospitable. The drivers feel more special here than they do just about anywhere else.”

Capping off the celebratory race day will be grunge-punk and platinum-selling trio, Everclear. Known for their popular singles “Wonderful,” “Father of Mine,” “Santa Monica” and many more.

Everclear will be the second act to perform at the Pork Party Pavilion as part of the NAPA Auto Parts Concert Series this summer.

Contact Kayla Langmaid at 641-792-3121 ext. 6533 or klangmaid@newtondailynews.com