NEWTON, Iowa — Tens of thousands came out for the first-ever NASCAR Cup Series in Iowa over the weekend.
The massive turnout had a big impact not just for racing fans, but the whole City of Newton.
Over the weekend, every single seat in Iowa Speedway's bleachers was taken. Track President Eric Peterson, said each day brought between 35,000 to 45,000 people.
“All tickets sold out immediately for the summer Cup series race, and a few months later for the NASCAR Xfinity Hy-Vee Perks 250 we sold out and then on Friday we announced a sellout as well," Peterson said.
Those fans came from all over the world.
“We had fans from all 50 states, even some other countries that made an appearance, but I will say that a majority of fans are coming from either from Iowa or around Iowa," Peterson said.
That enthusiasm was shared beyond the racetrack, with the economic impact on Newton and Jasper County proving to be substantial, according to The Greater Newton Area Chamber of Commerce.
“Restaurants were frequented, hotels were full, campgrounds were full," the chamber of commerce's Executive Director Kaylea Marchant said.
Small town businesses were reaping the rewards, and it gave NASCAR fanatics a literal taste of what Newton life is like at its Fiesta Taco event.
“At the end of the race Saturday night, there was all kinds of race fans up here and you knew it because they still had their race gear on," Marchant said.
That kind of exposure can go a long way.
“When you have someone come in and they have a great experience and they can leave that kind of review for you, that’s an amazing thing," Marchant said.
Iowa Speedway’s economic impact doesn’t stop at NASCAR. Marchant tells Local 5 that their summer events in general are important for Newton.
She anticipates the upcoming INDYCAR event at Iowa Speedway will bring in a good turnout too.