Iowa Speedway team brings pace car Corvette to IVH
T-R PHOTOS BY ROBERT MAHARRY — From left to right, Iowa Veterans Home employee Jody Chandavong, IVH resident Kurt Sundberg, Iowa Speedway President Eric Peterson, Iowa Sen. Kara Warme (R-Ames), IVH resident Tim Davis and IVH Legislative Liaison Mike Olson pose for a photo in front of the Speedway’s pace car Corvette in the IVH courtyard on Friday afternoon. The Speedway team offered free rides in the car and handed out merchandise to the residents as well.
IVH staff members show off some of the free swag available at a table during a special event with the Iowa Speedway on Friday afternoon.
Army veteran Marty Rash gears up for his ride in the pace car with Iowa Speedway President Eric Peterson at the IVH courtyard on Friday afternoon.
T-R PHOTOS BY ROBERT MAHARRY — From left to right, Iowa Veterans Home employee Jody Chandavong, IVH resident Kurt Sundberg, Iowa Speedway President Eric Peterson, Iowa Sen. Kara Warme (R-Ames), IVH resident Tim Davis and IVH Legislative Liaison Mike Olson pose for a photo in front of the Speedway’s pace car Corvette in the IVH courtyard on Friday afternoon. The Speedway team offered free rides in the car and handed out merchandise to the residents as well.
IVH staff members show off some of the free swag available at a table during a special event with the Iowa Speedway on Friday afternoon.
Army veteran Marty Rash gears up for his ride in the pace car with Iowa Speedway President Eric Peterson at the IVH courtyard on Friday afternoon.
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For the second consecutive year, leaders at the Iowa Speedway in Newton came to Marshalltown to offer free rides in the pace car 2025 Chevy Corvette with 500 horsepower to residents at the Iowa Veterans Home (IVH) in the courtyard area on Friday afternoon.
While taking a break from driving, Iowa Speedway President Eric Peterson called the partnership between the two organizations "incredible."
"It's such an honor for me to be here and our team to be here. It's a debt of gratitude to all the residents that are here, so it really kind of fills my heart to be here and be a part of this whole thing. (It's) a lot of fun," he said.
The Speedway also offers opportunities for the residents to make the short trip down to Newton for racing events, and Peterson added that they have a full slate of fun ahead in 2026 including a free family fun day on Saturday and the NASCAR weekend from Aug. 7-9.
"I'm so glad to be here today promoting the race, being a part of this and giving back to the veterans who have given so much for us," Peterson said.
IVH Legislative Liaison Mike Olson reciprocated the praise and noted that the residents eagerly anticipated the Speedway team's visit on Friday.
"Last year, I think we gave 60 rides to residents. We've also had residents come down as the guests of the Speedway to watch races, so they're a great partner and they truly do honor Iowa's veterans," he said. "When (the residents) heard this was gonna happen about a month ago, I've been hearing nothing but 'When are they coming?' And when Eric showed up with the car today, there were 30 residents already in line."
Sen. Kara Warme (R-Ames) also made the trip over to IVH to interact with veterans and thank them for their service, and the Speedway team had a swag table full of free coffee mugs, pennants and keychains for the residents.
To learn more about the Iowa Speedway and its upcoming events, visit https://www.iowaspeedway.com/.
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Contact Robert Maharry at 641-753-6611 ext. 255 or
rmaharry@timesrepublican.com.