There is something especially nice about welcoming RaceAway guests to a track that feels like home. On Sunday, August 9, 2026, our group spent a beautiful Iowa afternoon at Iowa Speedway in Newton, Iowa, for the 2026 Iowa Corn 350, and the weather could hardly have been better. I’ve hosted plenty of race weekends over the years, but our Iowa Speedway NASCAR packages give me the chance to share a little piece of our home state with the people who trust RaceAway with their NASCAR travels.
When a RaceAway Weekend Comes Home to Iowa
More than half of the guests traveling with us this weekend had been on a RaceAway trip before. I never take that for granted.
There is a certain comfort that comes with seeing familiar faces arrive at the hotel. Folks know how our weekends work, conversations pick up easily, and before long it feels less like assembling a tour group and more like getting reacquainted with people you’re glad to see again.
One of those familiar faces was Kevin D. Kevin has been traveling to races with RaceAway almost since the beginning, and having him join us again here in Iowa meant a lot. RaceAway has been hosting NASCAR race trips for more than 20 years, so guests like Kevin have been part of a good bit of that history right along with us.
We were also glad to welcome Kyle K., who brought her 88-year-old father along for the weekend. I thought that was pretty special. NASCAR weekends have a way of becoming family traditions, and getting to see a father and daughter experience Iowa Speedway together was a good reminder that the people you share race day with are often as important as the race itself.
Our weekend home was the Embassy Suites Des Moines Downtown. Located along the Des Moines River, it gives our guests a comfortable place to stay in the heart of the city before making the trip east to Newton. The two-room suites and breakfast each morning make it an easy place for a race group to settle in.
A Short-Track Sunday in Newton
Race morning had that relaxed Iowa feel to it. The weather was about as good as we could have asked for, everybody was in good spirits, and we gathered for our private motorcoach ride from downtown Des Moines to Iowa Speedway. Having the transportation taken care of means our guests can visit on the way over and concentrate on the day ahead instead of sorting out race-day driving and parking.
Iowa Speedway calls itself the “Fastest Short Track on the Planet,” and once you are inside, you understand why people enjoy watching a race there. It is a compact 7/8-mile track, and the way the grandstands sit close to the racing surface gives fans a chance to follow the action all the way around the speedway.
That is one of my favorite things about hosting here. At a bigger speedway, your attention can move from one part of the track to another. At Iowa, the race feels like it is happening right there in front of you.
Our group had a beautiful day to enjoy it. There was plenty happening around the track, but I found myself paying just as much attention to our guests—families spending the day together, returning travelers catching up, and people simply enjoying the opportunity to be at a NASCAR Cup Series race in Iowa.
Then it was time for the 2026 Iowa Corn 350.
The racing gave our group an action-packed afternoon, and Ty Gibbs was the one celebrating when the checkered flag fell. After a full day at Iowa Speedway, it was good to see everybody make their way back to our motorcoach with plenty to talk about on the ride to Des Moines.
What I’ll Remember About Our 2026 Iowa Weekend
- More than half of our group had traveled with RaceAway before
- Kyle K. shared race weekend with her 88-year-old father
- Longtime RaceAway guest Kevin D. joined us once again
- We enjoyed just about perfect Iowa weather for our day at the speedway
- Our guests stayed at the Embassy Suites Des Moines Downtown and traveled to the track by private motorcoach
- We watched Ty Gibbs take the checkered flag in the 2026 Iowa Corn 350
For me, this weekend was a good example of why I enjoy hosting our Iowa trip so much. Sure, it is nice to have a NASCAR Cup Series race close to home, and Iowa Speedway is a terrific place to watch one. But what stays with me is seeing longtime guests return, watching families make new memories together, and having the chance to welcome people to our part of the country.
Thanks to everyone who joined us in Iowa. I hope you enjoyed being here as much as I enjoyed having you. If Iowa Speedway is on your list for a future race weekend, you can check our current Iowa Speedway NASCAR packages, or take a look at the other NASCAR travel packages RaceAway hosts throughout the season.