Iowa Speedway explains reduced 2014 race schedule

Iowa Speedway became a popular stop of NASCAR’s Camping World Truck Series during the past two seasons as drivers praised the character of the track and appreciated the chance to play a starring role twice a season in Newton.

But after pressing the pedal the past two years with five major circuit race weekends, Iowa Speedway is dialing it down to three next season when the trucks make just one appearance in Newton, sharing a July 12-13 weekend with IndyCar.

Iowa Speedway was one of three tracks that held two Camping World Truck Series races this season and the only one of the group where the trucks were the big show, rather than the opening act for a Sprint Cup race.

“That’s the reason, that’s the rationale — to really concentrate on that one truck race and make it the best we can possibly make it," Iowa Speedway director of communications Craig Armstrong said. “That weekend and that pairing are probably going to be very strong and very compelling from a fan standpoint."

Armstrong said the track is finalizing its 2014 schedule. NASCAR’s Nationwide Series will make stops in May and August.

But the decision to move the first Nationwide race up to May and the IndyCar race back a month could leave the track without a major racing event in June.