A Day in the Life of Jimmy Small

While Jimmy Small may be dressed casually in jeans and a button-up shirt for “Casual Friday,” he has been hard at work preparing himself and Iowa Speedway for its opening race weekend — his first as the track’s president.

Small has been an overachiever of sorts at NASCAR and on May 17, when the green flag drops to kick off the latest season at the Iowa Speedway, another chapter in Small’s career with NASCAR will begin.

“Since October, I have been working seven days a week to prepare for the opening race weekend with Casey’s General Store 150 K&N Pro Series Race,” Small said.

Small’s schedule leading up to the first weekend has been filled with countless business meetings with NASCAR and city and state leadership. Small and the staff at the Iowa Speedway will be launching a new ad campaign this week that will bring out the race fan in all Iowans.

“Everyone has a bit of a race fan in them, no matter if it’s in a car or looking for the open checkout lane in the grocery store,” Small said. “Our goal is to try to bring in every type of racing fan from your weekend-only to the die hard fan.”

Small has been anticipating this season and the fans have seemed to reflect his excitement. Iowa Speedway’s various social media sites are filled with messages, posts and tweets from fans showing their enthusiasm for the new season and the new face of the speedway.

“We will be making more announcements on what will be featured at the first race in the next week or two,” Small said, referring to his plan’s for an even more engaging fan experience.

Fans aren’t the only ones excited about the new season. Small said drivers have reached out to him, as well, to share their eagerness.

“Ricky Stenhouse [Jr.] and Austin Dillon, who both made victory lane here at Iowa Speedway, are very excited and energized to find out about the changes that will be happening here,” Small said. “I was former golfing buddies with Ricky, who gave me a driver’s perspective of Iowa Speedway. Austin has had some amazing races here with his win in the American Ethanol 200 truck race and his battle with Trevor Bayne in the June Nationwide Race. Many drivers native to our track consider this a track they must win at.”

NASCAR’s executives, including CEO and Chairman Brian France, have been very active since purchasing the Speedway and send Small and his staff weekly to-do checklists.

“Many people don’t know that Brian has an expertise in design with creating the right atmosphere, no matter if its a club room or a restaurant,” Small said. “France is very detail oriented as it comes to the look and feel of a room.”

Small’s office is a short journey to the Newton Club, which is going through a redesign that will be ready for the opening weekend.

“I love the new design of the Newton Club. It brings a hint of ‘Red Pride’ and ‘Get To Know Newton’,” Small said. “There’s nothing like this on the NASCAR circuit.”

When the checkered flag falls on the opening weekend and the winner takes to Pizza Ranch Victory Lane, where and Small hands over the trophy. Small will be celebrating just as much.

“It’s amazing to see a driver come to Victory Lane, because no matter if they have been there once or many of times, they know it may be their last time to be there,” Small said. “My celebration will be seeing the fans face of having a personal experience with their champion.”

Small’s schedule has been grueling, but he takes time to have some fun.

“I love to drive on the track. Because the beauty of it is that there’s no speed limit,” Small said. “It’s therapeutic for many of the guys here. It’s a time that we can let everything go. It gives you a perspective to understand the true athleticism and pressure that the drivers go through.”

Small has had a chance to venture into town to find many unique aspects outside of the meetings, boards and work related ventures.

“I have had a chance to have lunch in town,” Small said. “I have a full list of things that I want and need to do in Newton.”

“I need to get a haircut,” Small continued with a laugh.

At the end of the day, many things remain on the checklist for business and pleasure, but always tomorrow is another day.

Staff writer Zach Johnson may be contacted at (641) 792-3121, ext. 425, or at zjohnson@newtondailynews.com.