Champion NASCAR driver Rusty Wallace says significant progress is being made toward building a pro stock car track near the central Iowa town of Newton. The proposed three-quarter mile track would be located just south of Interstate 80 near the Newton Airport. Wallace says the key elements are in place for the 25-thousand seat track: “The city has gave all the property to build it, the location, a lotta’ the infrastructure and stuff like that. I been hired to design the track which the track is already designed and ready.” It’ll be the first pro-level track designed by a driver, which Wallace says will make it an instant favorite, like a golf course designed by Arnold Palmer. Wallace says “The pit road exit and entrance, the length of the pit, the pit stalls, the shape of the track, all that stuff is pretty well done. Right now it’s just waiting for the final financing to come in and I believe the financing’s been harder than they anticipated but I will tell you, they’re three-quarters of the way there.” Wallace says the 50-to-60-million dollar oval still lacks several million before digging can start. “They think they need about four or five million more. Right now, I’m kicked in neutral waiting for those guys to raise the rest of the money. It’s probably more real than any start-up track I’ve seen happen.” Ground breaking is expected within months — with the checkered flag flying at races by ’06.
