Fans have come to expect great entertainment on and off the track and that’s exactly what they will get this weekend at “The Fastest Short Track on the Planet!” Attendees will notice several fresh features associated with Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) principles, a priority area for the State of Iowa, NASCAR and the Speedway, as well as the return of many fan-favorites, including the Post-Race Party on the frontstretch and the NAPA Auto Parts Concert Series for the 2016 season finale.
Tickets for the NASCAR K&N Pro Series Casey’s General Stores 150 presented by Vatterott College and the NASCAR XFINITY Series U.S. Cellular 250 can be purchased at www.IowaSpeedway.com or by calling 866.787.8946. Here’s a list of what fans can expect during Iowa Speedway’s STEM-themed weekend:
ROBOCARS – A One-of-a-Kind Combination
As part of Iowa Speedway’s continuing efforts to promote STEM in fun and engaging ways, ROBOCARS will be on site both Friday and Saturday to entertain fans with their expertly engineered costumes. These unique “convertibles” transform from robots into aerodynamic vehicles and use their impressive motorized wheels to speed around. This popular group has appeared on “Shark Tank,” “American Idol” and “Let’s Make A Deal”.
Lincoln Electric VRTEX 360 Virtual Reality Welding Training
Just as elite NASCAR drivers utilize simulators to refine their skills on the track, welders use them to efficiently improve their touch, as well. This weekend at Iowa Speedway, fans can try their own hands at both as the Lincoln Electric VRTEX 360, an educational training system that uses virtual reality to train welders, joins the racing simulators above Turn 1 in the concourse.
Team Neutrino – First Robotics Team
The game has changed and today’s high school students are leading the science, technology and engineering charge. This weekend some of the most innovative high school students from Story County will be at the track showcasing their technical prowess! These “Grade A” 4-H students work alongside mentors to solve robotics problems and learn more about today’s engineering challenges. They’re responsible for everything from marketing and fundraising to the actual construction itself. All of this work is aimed toward building a robot able to compete in “For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology” (FIRST) Robotics Competition events. Along with other youth and STEM focused activities, Team Neutrino will be stationed above Turn 1 on the concourse.
Post-Race Party on the Frontstretch Featuring Tim Dugger
If the “E” in STEM stood for “entertainment”, Iowa Speedway would be at the forefront of educational innovation. A prime example of the sort of improved experience the Speedway prides itself on is the annual Post-Race Party on the Frontstretch. Now in its third year, the party was the first of its kind and an immediate fan favorite, as it delivers emotion and excitement to close out the season.
Every fan in attendance at the NASCAR XFINITY Series U.S. Cellular 250 will be able to make their way down to the recently raced, ten degree banked, frontstretch of Iowa Speedway, for driver appearances and music from country artist, Tim Dugger. Party goers will also have an opportunity to win prizes and giveaways, dine on a pork sandwich compliments of Iowa Pork Producers, and grab a drink as they party “under the lights.”
NAPA Auto Parts Concert Series presents Snake Oil
The NAPA Auto Parts Concert Series brings its final act of the 2016 season to town, following racing in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series Casey’s General Stores 150 presented by Vatterott College. Fans can visit the Pork Party Pavilion overlooking Turn 4, to take in the sights and sounds of a rock experience that’s sure to make them feel alive. Fans won’t want to miss the hair rock, melodic rock, metal and classic rock performance by Snake Oil. The band is known for bringing a unique experience to fans, that is always LOUD and in your face like the rock shows of yesteryear!
Fourth Annual Mascot Day at Iowa Speedway
Come spend time face to face with some of the region’s best mascots, including representatives from Iowa State, the University of Iowa, University of Northern Iowa and Drake University. They’re excited to meet fans and pose for selfies on Saturday, July 30, before the NASCAR XFINITY Series U.S. Cellular 250. All participating mascots will also partake in an autograph and photograph session on Saturday at the Crash Course Display above Turn 1 from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. CT.
“Runnin’ Wide Open” Backyard BBQ Competition
Join Iowa Speedway and the Iowa BBQ Society for the first annual “Runnin’ Wide Open” Backyard BBQ competition taking place near the Pork Party Pavilion, above Turn 4, on Saturday, July 30. The top ten winners in each category will square off for a $500 grand prize and bragging rights around the World! The meat for the competition was generously donated by the Iowa Pork Producers, which means each entrant will be starting off with a great piece of meat!
Signature food
Iowa Speedway, along with concession partner Spectra by Comcast Spectacor, will showcase the Track’s evolving palate with 2016’s signature food one more time this season. These tasty, if not always tasteful, expressions of Iowa Speedway are the latest offerings in a series of signature food options that debuted in 2014. This year’s editions include:
· The Commitment Cone – A waffle cone filled to the brim with eggs, potatoes and bacon, skewered by a pancake-battered sausage-on-a-stick. This is a meal for those who demand attention and have no problem standing out in a crowd
· Scoring Pile-On – Layer after layer of food, piled high in a mason jar, modeled to look like a sundae… This “Iowa Speedway-ification” of a hot-beef-sundae includes pulled pork, mashed potatoes and corn, topped with a cherry tomato and cheese
· Engine Block – A sweet and savory sandwich that features a pork tenderloin and slice of cheddar cheese between two apple fritter “buns.” A marriage made in heaven… aka Iowa
#ThisIsMySpeedway
Continued from previous years, fans will once again be encouraged to use the hashtag #ThisIsMySpeedway on social media to tell their stories of the weekend. As part of Iowa Speedway’s promotion of the multitude of ways fans make race weekend at “The Fastest Short Track on the Planet” their own, the #ThisIsMySpeedway hashtag is a social media rallying point for those who love the Speedway. By using the hashtag in social media posts, fans may check out what else is happening around the track and share their experiences through photos, videos or messages and even get lucky enough to be featured on the IowaSpeedway.com social media wall.
Returning Favorites
Look for all of your favorite attractions from the first two weekends at Iowa Speedway, including racing simulators, laser tag, bags tournament, Crash Course 2.0, beer garden, oversized games and all the other ways the Speedway makes sure fans can enjoy the high life!
Iowa Speedway PR
