Wild weather weekend at Iowa Speedway

Wild weather was on display for the second race weekend of the year at Iowa Speedway. From temperatures reaching more than 90 degrees and the heat index soaring above 100 degrees Friday to summer thunderstorms rolling in at race time Saturday, delaying the contest but cooling down the stands and the track, race fans saw a little of everything at the speedway.

For most of the weekend, fans had to find ways to stay cool as the state found itself in the hottest stretch of weather all year. Hot laps took on a new meaning for everyone taking in the festivities having a good time while not getting overheated.

“They’ve got free ice and water to fill up water bottles. There are misting fans and air conditioned units that have worked out pretty well,” Amanda Bormann said.

Bormann, along with her family Kyle and Zoe, were taking in Iowa Speedway for the first time for the weekend races. From South Dakota, they said the weather is pretty similar at home and even though it was warm with the sun shining down, they were having a good time.

Benefiting from the hot weather was Moo Moo’s Ice Cream, who’s frozen treats were the perfect answer as the mercury continued to rise.

“It has been pretty busy. It is just so hot, everybody just kind of needs ice cream,” sales associate Morgan Harksaen said.” The last time we were here, the truck did really well, too.”

The racetrack had several features available for fans to help them survive and thrive in the weather. Cooling stations, storage containers with air conditioning units blasting cold air with seating available, were popular along the main concourse in relief of the humidity and blistering sun’s rays.

Taking a break inside one of the stations were “girls who like racing, too,” as their shirts read, Payton, Sophia and Adrianna Lanzara. The trio from Illinois made their first trip to the speedway to watch the races Friday and Saturday night.

“We like to watch it. We like racing, any kind,” Payton said. “There was a car that slid, within the last 10 laps it slid across the grass. It was pretty exciting. They always said in the eight laps it starts to get intense and that is when it happened, lap 142.”

Along with the cooling stations, trucks could be seen dropping off load after load of ice for patrons and the misting fans located along with concourse were popular to walk through as race fans made their way from booth to booth picking up souvenirs and snacks.

If surviving the heat wasn’t enough, just as the race was suppose to get the green light a thunderstorm rolled through Newton with high winds, rain and a spectacular lightning show. The race was delayed several hours as fans rode out the storm and then waited for the track to be dried off. They were able to enjoy much cooler weather as they watched the Indy cars burn up the track under the night sky.

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