July 02, 2024

Flags in the town square commemorate third consecutive Hy-Vee IndyCar races

Newton prepares for upcoming race weekend featuring high-speed racing, big-name concerts

By Christopher Braunschweig
Erin Yeager, left, the executive director of Newton Main Street, prepares to hoist a flag to a post on June 25 in downtown Newton. She was joined by IndyCar representatives who helped place flags around the town square to commemorate the upcoming race weekend at Iowa Speedway.

Erin Yeager, left, the executive director of Newton Main Street, prepares to hoist a flag to a post on June 25 in downtown Newton. She was joined by IndyCar representatives who helped place flags around the town square to commemorate the upcoming race weekend at Iowa Speedway. (Christopher Braunschweig)

Finish line flags flying in the town square mark the return of Newton’s longest standing race at the Iowa Speedway. In just a few weeks, the Hy-Vee IndyCar Race Weekend will be underway, and Newton Main Street Executive Director Erin Yeager said it is important to celebrate the occasion.

During the Newton Farmers Market on June 25, Yeager and representatives from IndyCar raised flags for the upcoming NTT IndyCar Series races and big-name concert performances by Luke Combs, Eric Church, Kelsea Ballerini and Post Malone July 12-14 at the Newton-based racetrack.

Erin Yeager, center, the executive director of Newton Main Street, prepares to hoist a flag to a post on June 25 in downtown Newton. She was joined by IndyCar representatives who helped place flags around the town square to commemorate the upcoming race weekend at Iowa Speedway.

Erin Yeager, center, the executive director of Newton Main Street, prepares to hoist a flag to a post on June 25 in downtown Newton. She was joined by IndyCar representatives who helped place flags around the town square to commemorate the upcoming race weekend at Iowa Speedway. (Christopher Braunschweig)

“IndyCar reached out to us and wanted to know how to be involved in the community,” Yeager said. “This is something they do at other places. What a better way to get people involved and get people downtown, and the farmers market is a great place to get the community down here.”

Even though the Iowa Speedway is miles away from the Main Street District, Yeager said it is important to celebrate all parts of the community.

“When the Main Street is thriving, it’s the heart of the community,” she said.

Erin Yeager, executive director of Newton Main Street, prepares to hoist a finish line flag to a post on June 25 in downtown Newton. She was joined by IndyCar representatives who helped place flags around the town square to commemorate the upcoming race weekend at Iowa Speedway.

Erin Yeager, executive director of Newton Main Street, prepares to hoist a finish line flag to a post on June 25 in downtown Newton. She was joined by IndyCar representatives who helped place flags around the town square to commemorate the upcoming race weekend at Iowa Speedway. (Christopher Braunschweig)

Newton
Christopher Braunschweig

Christopher Braunschweig

Christopher Braunschweig has a strong passion for community journalism and covers city council, school board, politics and general news in Newton, Iowa and Jasper County.