Local Bands, Pre-Race Concerts to Drive More Fans to Attend
NEWTON, IA. – March 22, 2012 – As part of the initiative to improve the already great fan experience, Iowa Speedway is moving this year’s concert acts to the pre-race festivities – allowing more fans an opportunity to attend. Also new for this year: local bands from around the central Iowa region will be performing on the opening night of each event weekend on the Grinnell Mutual Concert Stage.
“In review of last year, we have been asking fans where we can improve the overall fan experience; and concert times were one of our main topics of discussion,” said Stan Clement, president of Iowa Speedway. “From the feedback, we feel moving all but one of our concerts to pre-race really allows more fans to enjoy this benefit of having a race ticket.”
The May 19 and 20 event weekend has Loose Neutral, a classic rock band from Marshalltown, performing Saturday afternoon before the Iowa 150 presented by Graham Tire Company, and Bucky Covington, who was a former American Idol finalist, will get the crowd amped for the Pioneer Hi-Bred 250 on Sunday.
The June 22 concert will feature Route 66, a country band from Grinnell, playing the only post-race concert of the season after the Casey’s General Store USAC Challenge, and Marlee Scott, another ascending sensation in the country music ranks, will be performing prior to the Sukup 100 and Iowa Corn Indy 250 on Saturday, June 24.
Flipside, a variety band, from Des Moines, will play on July 13, followed by The Kentucky Headhunters, a country rock band, on Saturday, July 14. The race weekend in early August will feature performances from Standing Hampton, a classic rock band from Des Moines, on August 3. The Saturday night NASCAR Nationwide Series event on August 4 will have J.T. Hodges as part of the pre-race activities.
According to Clement, featuring some of the local sounds central Iowa has to offer was something fans wanted the Speedway to do, too.
“Getting these local bands up in front of several thousand people, from all over the country, is also a great way to showcase the talents of several Iowa based groups to people who might otherwise not hear them.”
The last race weekend, September 14 and 15, will feature Wikid Likir, a Newton based variety group, on Friday. The Lost Trailers will perform the last concert of the race season as they take to the Grinnell Mutual stage on Saturday afternoon, which will precede this inaugural NASCAR Camping World Truck Series date.
Season tickets, event weekend ticket packages, and single race tickets are on sale now; reserve yours today by calling 1-866-RUSTY-GO or visit www.iowaspeedway.com.
2012 Iowa Speedway Concert Schedule:
May 19 – Loose Neutral
May 20 – Bucky Covington
June 22 – Route 66
June 23 – Marlee Scott
July 13 – Flipside
July 14 – The Kentucky Headhunters
August 3 – Standing Hampton
August 4 – J.T. Hodges
September 14 – Wikid Likir
September 15 – The Lost Trailers
About Iowa Speedway
Iowa Speedway is a state-of-the-art 7/8 mile asphalt paved tri-oval race track and motorsports facility located just 30 miles east of Des Moines at I-80 Exit 168 in Newton, Iowa. The track is owned and operated by U.S. Motorsport Corporation and designed by former NASCAR Champion Rusty Wallace, now an anchor and analyst for ABC-TV/ESPN. Iowa Speedway is designed for year-round use and includes 30,000 permanent grandstand seats. Call 1-866-RUSTY-GO, visit www.iowaspeedway.com, “like” us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter at @IowaSpeedway to learn more.
