Rusty Wallace Test Drives Iowa Speedway: Grade A

NEWTON, IA (April 28, 2006) - Rusty Wallace claimed another "first" this week in Iowa - he test drove the new 7/8 mile oval track at Iowa Speedway - the first driver designed track in the United States - a "Rusty Wallace Signature Series Track" - and gave the track's surface grade high marks: Grade A.

The former NASCAR champion reached speeds up to 100mph in a bright red, Chevrolet Monte Carlo and stirred whirling clouds of dust as his car roared out of the turn 2 on a dirt surface soon to be become an asphalt track. Wallace, who flew to Iowa from his home in North Carolina accompanied by his father, Russell, says he is impressed with the track's progress. "I've got to get it right, it has my name on it," he told reporters, "and we want it to be unique - that's why it's seven-eights and triple banking. It's 12, 13, 14 degrees, which will ensure side-by-side racing. It's going to be the best track around, that's what its going to be".

Iowa Speedway President Stan Clement told reporters track construction is on schedule after a mild Iowa winter. Five races are scheduled for the Inaugural Season beginning with USAR Hooters Pro Cup Series and USAC Silver Crown, Sprint Car and Midget Series events, September 15-17. Andy Vertrees, Chief Operating Officer for Iowa Speedway, joined Wallace to study the track surface after each test run and to offer fine-tuning advice, "We want to get it right - it has to offer exciting racing - and it has to be safe for both drivers and racing fans".

Iowa Speedway General Manager Todd Melfi said Rusty's visit to test drive the track is extremely important, "it marks a big step in the progress of the track and tells us where we are with construction - we can begin to look at laying asphalt now - the track is really taking form - the dirt has been moved, the grade set, the banks are in place and, most of all, the project has received Rusty's approval."

Iowa Speedway, of course, is Rusty's "pet project" and he expects to be back in Iowa soon. Wallace says he will test drive the track shortly after the gravel base is laid and, shortly thereafter when the finished asphalt surface is completed. If Rusty has it his way, and he likely will, it should be a unique experience for race car drivers and racing fans.

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