As you head west on I-80 toward Des Moines, you'll see the country's newest race track rising out of the Iowa cornfields. Iowa Speedway, an immaculate clone of Richmond International Raceway, is a 7/16-mile, progressively-banked track that opened its gates earlier this year with a Hooters Pro Cup/USAC doubleheader.

I'm here this weekend for another doubleheader - the ASA Late Model Challenge Series is in action Saturday, where I'l be handling pit road reporting duties for the telecast that will air later this Fall, and the ARCA RE/MAX Series which races Sunday afternoon live on SPEED.

Juan Pablo Montoya is here in the ARCA race, and there's a contingent of Colombian media reps here covering the action.

Rusty Wallace designed this track and will be here on Sunday, along with his son Steven, and whatever hand he had in creating this facility, kudos. It is one of the best short tracks in the country and the IRL will join the track's schedule next year with Hooters Cup, USAC, ARCA and ASA also expected to be back. Management is hoping to land a Craftsman Truck Series race in 2008.

In this age when we hear of short tracks closing at an alarming rate, it's great to see a facility like this one come to life. Let's hope the stands are packed and the track thrives. Now I'm off for another Iowa pork tenderloin sandwich.....