Gone in 60 Seconds

Okay…I admit it…with the exception of the Indy 500, watching multi- million dollar mobile billboards chase each other around in a circle for two hours never much appealed to me. And, even the Indy 500 seemed rather monotonous until the final lap or two, or if I was fortunate enough to witness an occasional 200 mph fender bender. Yes… I like hockey fights, too; we all do, whether we admit it or not.

But, this all changed for me on August 9th, 2006, and, it changed in a matter of minutes. Actually, about 60 seconds to be precise. You see, that was about how long it took to race 4 laps around the new Iowa Speedway in Newton, riding shotgun next to a professional driver in a real NASCAR adrenaline machine. Take my word for it…these were no ‘caution’ or ‘victory’ laps. This was 170 mph actual race conditions, running high in the turns…slingshotting down to the straightaway, bumper to bumper…just like on TV. Four full laps. Without a doubt the most thrilling, exciting, heart- pounding, ear-bleeding, white-knuckle riding 60 seconds of my life.

The Iowa Speedway, located in Newton (3300 South 24th Avenue
East) is a 60 foot wide, 7/8 mile tri-oval with 12-14 degree compound
banking in the turns. It’s no junior track; it’s the real deal.
It’s humbling, to say the least, to stand near pit row feeling the noise and power as these NASCAR machines roar past. If you are (were)
a skeptic, non-fan like me…you owe it to yourself to check it out.
If you are a NASCAR or racing fanatic already…your utopia has just been built. The track officially opens September 15th with The Soy Biodiesel 250, Hooters Pro Cup Series event. More information and schedules are available at www.iowaspeedway.com.

The most exciting ride of my life was gone in 60 seconds, but in that fleeting minute on the track at the Iowa Speedway, I gained an unexpected appreciation for this powerful and exciting motorsport and became an instant fan of professional racing. Go figure…huh?

Guess you just have to be there.