Rusty Wallace Barnstorms Iowa

Newton, IA (Jan. 27, 2006) - Enthusiastic fans throughout Iowa and nearby states warmly greeted NASCAR Champion Rusty Wallace on his two-day media blitz across Iowa to promote Iowa Speedway and The Newton Club. Wallace, who retired from the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series last season, told the Iowa Senate in Des Moines, "Iowa Speedway is my baby. I promise you it will be great. It's on track and on time." The Senate, after giving Wallace a standing ovation for his support of Iowa Speedway, passed a special resolution declaring the racing star an "honorary Iowan who will establish a world-class facility in Iowa".

Wallace, accompanied buy his son, Steven, also a race car driver, talked with fans, signed autographs, and held media interviews nearly non-stop at sites in Newton, Ft. Dodge, Quad Cities, Cedar Rapids, Des Moines and Omaha. Todd Melfi, Iowa Speedway General Manager, traveled with Wallace and said, "Excitement for Rusty and the track was absolutely overwhelming at each city we visited. Huge crowds showed up and each event went exceptionally well, in fact, exceeding our expectations."

In Ft. Dodge, for example, an overflow crowd began arriving hours before an evening appearance. Fans stood in the isles during Wallace's speech, listening attentively as he talked about his racing life and the new track now under construction at Newton, Iowa. Melfi said fans and corporations in the cities Wallace visited were also purchasing club seats for the exclusive Newton Club with seats still available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Iowa Speedway is scheduled to hold its first race in September and is designated a "Rusty Wallace Signature Track". Wallace, a co-owner, is also designing the track with special safety features for drivers and fans based on knowledge gained from his 21-year racing career. The track will have a seating capacity of 28,000, expanding to 40,000 by 2007. Wallace said he was confident the track would eventually lure NASCAR events to the track.

Wallace's Iowa blitz ended at a sold-out invitation-only-dinner in West Des Moines with proceeds from the event going to the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA). Rusty left Iowa for what is expected to be his final competitive race - the Rolex 24-Hour Race at Daytona, Florida, January 28-29.

For more information visit www.iowaspeedway.com.