WEST DES MOINES, Iowa – What began as a one-off, single race sponsorship for the second race of a doubleheader at Iowa during the COVID season of 2020 has developed into a tremendous partnership for IndyCar.
Hy-Vee, a Greater Midwest supermarket chain, has signed a multi-year sponsorship to with IndyCar to remain a key partner in the Hy-Vee Indy Race Weekend at Iowa, it was announced Thursday.
The current concept of a mid-season doubleheader of IndyCar action combined with four of the biggest names in entertainment has turned into the biggest IndyCar racing weekend of the summer months.
“This event has been a great fit for Hy-Vee,” said Randy Edeker, Hy-Vee’s executive chairman of the board. “We look forward to continuing to support this race in Iowa by serving as the title sponsor in the years ahead. We set out to make this a world-class event and believe the momentum we have created will continue into the future as IndyCar continues to gain more fans year after year.”
NEWTON, IA - JULY 24: NTT IndyCar series driver Simon Pagenaud (60) leads a pack of cars coming out of turn 4 towards the start finish line during the Hy-Vee Salute To Farmers 300 on July 24, 2022, at Iowa Speedway in Newton, Iowa. (Photo by Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Icon Sportswire/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Hy-Vee’s ongoing commitment to motorsports has been demonstrated through its support of the annual IndyCar event weekend held at Iowa Speedway, which is the longest-standing race held at the 7/8 of a mile oval track.
IndyCar first began competing at Iowa Speedway in 2007 and this weekend represents the 20th and 21st NTT IndyCar Series races at the venue.
This year’s edition features the Hy-Vee Homefront 250 presented by Instacart (Saturday at 8 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock) and the Hy-Vee One Step 250 presented by Gatorade (Sunday at noon ET on NBC and Peacock).
The continued collaboration marks a significant milestone in Hy-Vee’s partnership with IndyCar, which originally began in 2020 when the popular grocery chain first joined forces with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing as a team sponsor in the NTT IndyCar Series.
“We are so proud to continue the partnership with Hy-Vee and build on the success of Hy-Vee IndyCar Race Weekend well into the future,” said Bud Denker, president of Penske Corporation, which owns IndyCar. “With Hy-Vee’s vision and unwavering support, this event has continued to grow and expose new fans to IndyCar.”
Driven by the partnership with Hy-Vee, IndyCar returned to Iowa Speedway in 2022 after not competing at the venue during the 2021 season. Since its inception, Hy-Vee IndyCar Race Weekend has become a highlight on the IndyCar calendar.
With a record-breaking estimated crowd of approximately 85,000 spectators over three days, last year’s Hy-Vee IndyCar Race Weekend marked the highest attendance ever recorded for an IndyCar event at Iowa Speedway.
This year’s Weekend will officially get underway on Friday with the return of Free Family Friday. All fans will get free gate admission to Iowa Speedway on the opening day of the three-day weekend festival.
In addition to the IndyCar doubleheader on Saturday and Sunday, along with the INDY NXT by Firestone race at Iowa Speedway (Saturday at 2 p.m. ET on Peacock), Hy-Vee IndyCar Race Weekend will again feature a concert lineup rivaling the most prestigious music festivals. Country music sensations Luke Combs and Eric Church will both perform on Saturday, with country superstar Kelsea Ballerini and award-winning artist Post Malone each hosting post-race concerts on Sunday.
All concerts are included with Saturday and Sunday Hy-Vee IndyCar Race Weekend tickets as each artist will perform on the trackside Hy-Vee stage, in front of the main grandstands at Iowa Speedway.
Beyond its support of the IndyCar event at Iowa Speedway, the industry-leading grocery brand is also the title sponsor of two NTT IndyCar 250-mile races that will be hosted at the Milwaukee Mile, Aug. 30-Sept. 1 — the Hy-Vee Milwaukee Mile 250s Weekend.
Follow Bruce Martin on Twitter at @BruceMartin_500