NEWTON, IOWA (August 19, 2008) – It’s official. NASCAR has selected Iowa Speedway as the site of a Nationwide Series race in 2009. Rusty Wallace, ABC/ESPN announcer and former NASCAR champion made the announcement at a morning news conference in Newton, Iowa.

Wallace, flanked by Iowa Speedway and Nationwide executives, ended months of speculation by announcing August 1, 2009, as the race date for the 250 lap Nationwide Series race to be held on the 7/8 mile oval track designed by Wallace. An exact time for the race has not been set.

“NASCAR’s selection of Iowa Speedway as a site for a Nationwide race next year, in only our third full year of competitive racing, is an honor and a privilege,” Wallace said, “and it’s also the result of a lot of hard work by the staff here in Iowa – and our Nationwide partners who helped us secure a race here in Newton. It’s a great day for Iowa Speedway, for Nationwide, for NASCAR, and especially, for racing fans throughout the country”.

“Iowa Speedway is a new facilty that is already very popular with fans in that part of the country and will; be a great match for the NASCAR Nationwide Series,” said NASCAR President Mike Helton. “The track has successfully hosted NASCAR Camping World Series events and we expect to see great racing there on August 1 for the in augural NASCAR Nationwide Series race”.

Nationwide officials also spoke favorably about Iowa Speedway as a new venue for the series they sponsor:

"As title sponsor of the NASCAR Nationwide Series and an active member of the local community, Nationwide is pleased NASCAR has chosen to place a Nationwide Series race at Iowa Speedway," said John Aman, Associate Vice President, Strategic Sponsorships. "Iowa Speedway is definitely a first rate facility and we are looking forward to sharing in the excitement of the NASCAR Nationwide Series with our 4,000 associates in Des Moines area, along with the entire state of Iowa."

Talks between Iowa Speedway and NASCAR have been ongoing, according to Wallace, and NASCAR teams and drivers who have already tested at the track have praised it as safe and fast.

Wallace teamed with Iowa Speedway CEO Stan Clement in securing the race date with NASCAR. “We’re elated at today’s announcement,” Clement said, “and look forward to some of the best racing in the country right here in Iowa. NASCAR and Nationwide are top-notch organizations and we’re proud to be associated with two world-class organizations”.

Iowa Speedway officials say tickets for the entire 2009 schedule, including Nationwide, are scheduled to go on sale October 1, 2008, after the 2009 schedule is completed.