April 25, 2025

Just in time — shuttle services for race weekends

By Scott Thenhaus

HIRTA Public Transit will be providing shuttles during Iowa Speedway race weekends. Race fans can be picked up at the Jasper County Courthouse, KOA campgrounds and participating hotels. Shuttles will begin pickup at 9:30 a.m. Saturday. (Submitted Photo)

With the first races less than a week away, Newton Convention and Visitors Bureau, Iowa Speedway and HIRTA Public Transit have all agreed to work together in providing shuttle services every race weekend.

Beginning Saturday, HIRTA shuttles will be picking up race-goers from assigned locations starting at 9:30 a.m. Two designated stops will include the Jasper County Courthouse and the KOA campgrounds.

“The partnership between HIRTA Public Transit and the Newton CVB provides a safe and enjoyable transportation service to our fans who live in Newton and to those who are staying here for the weekend,” said Iowa Speedway President Jimmy Small. “As Iowa Speedway works to improve the fan experience at the track each season, it is great to have local amenities like these available to our loyal fans.”

In order to ride the shuttles, participants must purchase a $5 HIRTA wristband. These wristbands can be purchased at the KOA campgrounds, Newton Hy-Vee and participating hotels. Colors of wristbands will vary each day and weekend, but will also include the HIRTA logo to discern from other wristbands.

Executive Director of the Newton Convention and Visitors Bureau Linda Bacon hopes the shuttle service will make things easier for everyone.

“We really like that shuttles are going to stop at the courthouse. We just really think it will enhance the fan experience, and hopefully benefit businesses also,” Bacon said.

Being the first year the service is offered, the hope is there will be more shuttle participants each week. However, Bacon plans to have a conference call with Iowa Speedway and HIRTA to discuss the success of the service. Fans are also welcome to comment on the service.

Shuttles are planned to take about an hour and 15 minutes for a whole trip, and with the possibility of two shuttles total, it will ensure race fans get where they need to go quickly. The process should also help with traffic as shuttles will have their own lane on the speedway along with their own designated parking spot.

Maximum capacity for a shuttle will be 18 riders. And while bringing coolers is encouraged, these coolers need to be small and fit in front of riders. No open beverage containers will be permitted on shuttles.

Tourists staying at particular hotels will also be able to pay $5 for wristbands when checking in. These hotels include AmericInn, Bounders Inn & Suites, Holiday Inn Express, Econolodge Inn, Quality Inn, Super 8 and Americas Best Value Inn.

“This is something new for fans, and I think it’s going to be great for them if they want to do it,” Bacon said.