March 28, 2024

Who knew the Newton Club would be so versatile?

walking through the patio area of the club, and overheard more than one of them say — with awe dripping off their voices, their mouths agape, staring at the brand new racetrack in front of them — “I can’t believe this place is right here in Newton, Iowa.”

Over and over again, with the same level of admiration ... that someone would build a multi-million-dollar facility like this in their hometown, and in Newton itself for having shaken off the angst of losing Maytag and forging a new future in entertainment and tourism. I was literally moved to tears by the sincere outpouring of civic pride.

Since that first event day, we have found that the Newton Club could be many things besides the absolutely coolest place (sometimes literally!) to watch a race with your family and friends.

At 10,000 square feet, rectangular in shape, featuring numerous television screens, strategically located PA and music speakers and two full-service bars at either end.

The climate-controlled indoor clubhouse began to catch the eye of business event planners looking for space to hold a meeting, seminar or team-building exercise, brides-to-be and their parents seeking an upscale and unique venue for a wedding shower and/or reception, and community and commercial organizations planning a show open to the public.

Fact is, six years after that first race event, a multitide of events are held annually in the Newton Club, including our now-traditional Daytona 500 Party on Feb. 24 this year, and a new-to-us event on Jan. 27, the 11th Annual Newton Bridal Fair.

From fundraisers for the NASCAR and Iowa Speedway Foundations to fancy parties for newlyweds, and from the excited chatter of club members during a race event to the muted sound of florists taking their post-seminar test, the Newton Club serves many purposes for many, many people.  Still I wonder ... did Rusty foresee all of this when he first envisioned it?

What would you like to know about Iowa Speedway, NASCAR, IndyCar or motorsports in general?  Email your questions or topic ideas to me at pr@iowaspeedway.com. Track Talk is for you, the race fans (and just plain curious folk) in Newton and Jasper County, and I invite your feedback.

Until next week, keep the shiny side up!