The Stuart Speedway was recently recognised as a historical race track as they prepare for another season of fun. 

Owner Mike VanGenderen says the speedway is the longest consecutive weekly racing track in Iowa and this will be 61st season. He explains that not many race tracks are able to keep a program sustaining consistent races every week.  

“Through all the different owners throughout the years who even started the track. When Fever Heat was filmed many, many years ago, they just kept a weekly program every single year. And that’s very, very hard to do, very hard through all the tough economic times and things like that.”

VanGeneren says this year might be his toughest year to operate the speedway with many challenges that he and his drivers are facing. 

“We’re in a worse situation this year with the economy being really bad and inflation. Gas prices are high. Hard to get parts for race cars. Hard to get tires and all the parts for the race cars. So we’re in a very serious situation. This is worse than the pandemic this year.”

He added that making sure cars are on the race track every week and drivers can afford this hobby will be his concern. The regular season will kick off this Wednesday with the “The Stevens Memorial Points Opener” starting at 6:45pm. The track will continue to hold weekly races every Wednesday.