Iowa Speedway and NASCAR Foundation donate $15K to soccer mini-pitch

Less than a week after construction crews began assembling the soccer mini-pitch at Maytag Park, the group that helped fundraise and promote the project was formally presented with a sizable donation from the Iowa Speedway and NASCAR Foundation during the Newton City Council meeting.

Eric Peterson, president of Iowa Speedway, spoke on behalf of the racetrack and the NASCAR Foundation when he presented the check to Brett Lundberg, an assistant soccer coach for Newton schools and the person leading the charge getting the soccer mini-pitch fundraised.

“We would like to present this check for $15,000 to Kick It Forward to help promote and build the new pitch here in Newton.” Peterson said. “We love being a part of the community and we cannot wait to see this come to life. Thank you so much for everything you’ve done, Brett.”

Lundberg told Newton News he was thrilled to get a meeting with Iowa Speedway in order to present the mini-pitch project to them.

“Having not met them before I wasn’t sure what to expect from them,” he said. “To see a donation of $15,000 was huge. It was one of the donations that made the project feel real and that it was going to happen. I really appreciate NASCAR, Iowa Speedway, Eric Peterson and Jillian Murphy for their support.”

Newton News previously reported the mini-pitch cost around $150,000 to build. Lundberg partnered with the Des Moines-based nonprofit Kick It Forward, which finds innovative ways to eliminate financial barriers for youth to advance through soccer. The pitch is a futsal-style field designed to provide a safe place to play.