Iowa to host IRL round in 2007

The new speedway, which has been designed in collaboration with NASCAR legend Rusty Wallace, will host an IRL race on June 24 next season.

The 0.875 mile oval track has banking ranging from 12 to 14 degrees in the corners and is aiming to have 40,000 seats in place for next year's race. The race will be 250 laps.

The facility has been designed with television in mind, and is the first track to have camera's embedded in the racing surface. It is also the first tract to be built entirely enclosed with the SAFER barrier, and no concrete wall is present.
 
"The midwest is home to the core IndyCar Series fan so we are thrilled to partner with Iowa Speedway to bring IndyCar Series racing to Iowa," said IRL president Brian Barnhart.

"The combination of the Iowa Speedway's 7/8-mile size with the speed and side-by-side action of the IndyCar Series promises to keep race fans on the edge of their seats."

The announcement was made in conjunction with an IndyCar Series and Indy Pro Series compatibility test, that included 2003 champion Scott Dixon of Ganassi Racing and reigning Indy Pro Series champion Wade Cunningham.

"It's a lot bigger than we thought it was going to be," Dixon said. We thought it was similar to Richmond. It's easy flat. It will be fast and provide good passing because it's so wide, and the transitions are smooth. It's a nice track."