NEWTON, Iowa — Fans sold out the Iowa Speedway for the Iowa Corn 350 Powered by Ethanol, Iowa's first ever NASCAR race. The high temperatures did not stop fans from filling the grandstand with excitement.
NASCAR fans came from all across the country for this experience, something they say "you can't find elsewhere."
“I'm so excited to have a NASCAR Cup race, I would say in the true Midwest," said NASCAR fan Mitchell McCallson.
Fans experienced not only the race, but also had the opportunity to meet some drivers, see the cars up close and experience a racing simulation.
Many locals also made their way to the track, the Iowa State Cyclone band performed and the Iowa Hawkeyes women's wrestling team made an appearance.
“To have it close by, at a sweet venue, where you can see the whole track, you can feel the whole track and the best thing to me is like the driver engagement," McCallson said.
Iowans take pride in the Iowa Speedway and Midwesterners are excited to be driving distance from a NASCAR race.
Whether it was a fan's first time at the Iowa Speedway, or just the latest visit, the energy was electric.
“Being here in the crowd at the race, it’s a whole other level," said NASCAR fan Scott Porter.
Fans say what draws them to NASCAR racing is the competition amongst the drivers. It is a sport of inches that takes into account a number of different factors.
“It’s going to be hard to beat this," McCallson said. "I mean, who wouldn’t want to come back to this?"