Hawkeye Downs Speedway is a short track in Cedar Rapids, Iowa featuring 0.5 mile (0.8 km) and 0.25 mile (0.4 km) oval layouts.[2] It is one of two primarily asphalt racing tracks in the state of Iowa[4] (the other being Iowa Speedway), although Hawkeye Downs has also featured dirt racing on its quarter-mile oval since 2025.[5][6]
Hawkeye Downs hosts regional NASCAR and ASA races, as well as drag races and drift events,[7] and previously hosted IMCA, ARTGO, and the American Indycar Series.[8]
Description
Hawkeye Downs has two banked ovals. The smaller, quarter-mile oval is contained on the infield of the larger, half-mile oval. Both ovals converge on the front stretch, and a banking of grass fills the space between them.
History
The half-mile oval of Hawkeye Downs initially opened in 1925 as a dirt track called Frontier Park. It has primarily been used for car racing since its opening, although it also hosted horse races and motorcycle races early in its history.[9] Ownership of the track was initially under the Cedar Rapids Chamber of Commerce.[10]
The track was renamed to Cedar Rapids Speedway in 1932.[9] In 1937, a statewide contest was held to update its name again. The winning name, "Hawkeye Downs", was a merger of the two final options: "Hawkeye Park" and "Cedar Downs."[2]
Also in 1937, the city of Cedar Rapids took ownership of the track from a business men's group. In 1949, the city turned this ownership over to the All-Iowa Fair Association,[10] who hosted the All-Iowa Fair at Hawkeye Downs from 1936 to the mid-1960s, when the venue of the fair was changed to Central City.[9]
The quarter-mile dirt oval was added to the infield of the existing track in 1950. In 1989, both ovals were paved and converted to permanent asphalt surfaces.[9] The track was used exclusively for asphalt racing from that point until 2025, when the quarter-mile oval was temporarily converted for dirt racing.
Events
NASCAR
Hawkeye Downs was sanctioned by NASCAR in 2023, and since then has hosted the NASCAR Local Racing Series.[11]
Super Late Models
Hawkeye Downs hosted an annual super late model race, the Miller 100, from 1973 to 2011.[12] In 2025, Hawkeye Downs again hosted the Miller 100 as part of the 2025 ASA Midwest Tour.
References
- ↑ . www.hawkeyedowns.org. Retrieved June 9, 2026.
- 1 2 3 White, Brandon. "'The generational track': Hawkeye Downs Speedway ages gracefully through its 100th anniversary season". NASCAR.com. NASCAR. Retrieved June 7, 2026.
- ↑ "ASA Midwest Tour sets 2025 schedule". Short Track Scene. November 20, 2024. Retrieved June 7, 2026.
- ↑ Schroeder, Nicole (September 18, 2025). "Dirt Returns to Hawkeye Downs for Sept. 27 "Dirt at the Downs" IMCA Event". IMCA Racing. Retrieved June 7, 2026.
- ↑ Bunge, Mike (September 2, 2025). "Celebrate 100 years at Hawkeye Downs with dirt track racing". KWWL. NBC. Retrieved June 7, 2026.
- ↑ "Hawkeye Downs Speedway to host dirt track events for 100th anniversary". Corridor Business Journal. September 2, 2025. Retrieved June 7, 2026.
- ↑ Brainard, Ryan (September 26, 2024). "Hawkeye Downs in Cedar Rapids Is Getting a $33 Million Upgrade". KHAK. Retrieved June 9, 2026.
- ↑ "Hawkeye Downs". www.ultimateracinghistory.com. Retrieved June 9, 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 Looney, Peter D. (August 24, 2024). Lost Cedar Rapids. Arcadia Publishing. ISBN 9781439670910.
- 1 2 "Hawkeye Downs Turned Over to All-Iowa Group". The Billboard. 61 (8): 62. February 19, 1949. Retrieved June 9, 2026.
- ↑ Ogden, J.R. (March 11, 2023). "NASCAR Coming to Hawkeye Downs Speedway". The Gazette. Retrieved June 9, 2026.
- ↑ "Miller 100 and ASA Return to Hawkeye Downs this Saturday Night". www.starsnationaltour.com. ASA Midwest Tour. Retrieved June 9, 2026.