DES MOINES, IA (04/02/2014)(readMedia)-- The Iowa State Fair Board is pleased to announce Midwest Racing Promotions as the newly named race promoters of the Iowa State Fairgrounds Speedway. Track improvements are underway in preparation for the spring racing season's April 18 kick-off.

Midwest Racing Promotions is led by racing veterans Tony Moro, Eric Lundstrom and John Pat Dorrian. The group has already implemented several track renovations to boost the safety and excitement of their races. These improvements include over 150 truckloads of track resurfacing and improvements to the corner guard rails to allow for faster, safer racing.

The 2014 spring season will start with a practice race on Saturday, April 12. The practice is open to the public and will run from 1 to 5 p.m. The competitive season will begin on Friday, April 18, and continue every Friday evening through the championship races on August 1. The Fairgrounds track will feature fireworks on opening night as well as following a special race event on Thursday, July 3. Hot laps for all races will begin at 6:15 p.m. with races at 6:30 p.m.

This year's Fairtime Grandstand line-up will feature two Speedway events, including the debut of Winged Sprint Car races on Sunday, August 10, with hot laps at 10:30 a.m. and races at 11 a.m. The inaugural race will feature three classes including 305 Sprints, Hobby Stocks and Mods. The Deery Brothers Summer Series returns to the Grandstand on Monday, August 11, with hot laps at5:30 p.m. and races at 6 p.m. This year's races will feature Late Models, IMCA Sport Mods, IMCA Stock Cars, IMCA Hobby Stocks and Karl Chevrolet Dirt Trucks. General admission tickets for Speedway Grandstand events will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 12, through all Ticketmaster outlets.

The Speedway has served as a longstanding Fair tradition since its construction began in 1884. With roots that date back farther than most Fairgrounds attractions, the track has offered a weekly summer tradition for generations of local families as well as an August highlight for many Fairgoing race fans.

The Speedway has hosted countless historic events including the 1940 world championship between Gus Shrader, Emory Collins, Ben Shaw and Jimmie Wilburn as well as Aldo Andretti's 1969 auto accident which preceded his early retirement. Today's Fairgrounds racers join the ranks of Speedway veterans A.J. Foyt, Mario Andretti, Bobby Allison and more.

"Nothing Compares" to the 2014 Iowa State Fair, August 7-17. The Fairgrounds are located at East 30th and East University Avenue, just 10 minutes east of downtown Des Moines. For more information, call 800/545-FAIR or visitwww.iowastatefair.org.

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