Hawkeye Downs

What Hawkeye Downs does

Hawkeye Downs is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1925 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, operating a motorsports and event venue complex. Its core asset is a racing facility featuring a quarter-mile and a half-mile banked asphalt oval that runs weekly NASCAR-sanctioned short-track racing during the racing season, supported by concession operations, sponsor activation, and touring series events such as the ASA Midwest Tour. The venue is described as the only full-time weekly asphalt racing track in Iowa and one of just two asphalt tracks statewide, giving it a structurally scarce position in the regional short-track market.

Beyond racing, Hawkeye Downs operates a 35,000+ square-foot Expo Center that is rented to event organizers, community groups, and corporate clients for trade shows, consumer events, and seasonal programming. Recent additions include the Dirt at the Downs collaboration with Benton County Speedway, a Tuesday Night Titans youth racing program, a new Juice Box Racing Class launching for 2026, and a Santa Village holiday event held in partnership with ChildServe. The organization's centennial-plus anniversary (101st season in 2025) and a 2026 NASCAR series rebrand under the NASCAR Local Racing Series Powered by O'Reilly Auto Parts reflect ongoing brand and programming investment.

The business model is multi-stream: race-day admissions and pit passes (adults $15, youth/seniors $10, pit $30), Expo Center rental income, multi-year sponsorships (Van Meter, O'Reilly Auto Parts, Keg 1 Iowa), concessions, and charity/community events. Following a 2020 sale of the underlying property, the facility was re-acquired in 2022 by buyer Roger Cassill, with Hawkeye Downs now operating under a long-term lease arrangement. The organization serves local racers, motorsport fans, families, event organizers, and community partners across Eastern Iowa, drawing more than 100,000 visitors annually through combined racing and expo activity.

Name

Hawkeye Downs

Legal name

Hawkeye Downs Speedway & Expo Center

Website

https://hawkeyedowns.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1925

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Hawkeye Downs is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1925 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, operating the state's only full-time weekly asphalt racing speedway alongside a 35,000+ sq ft Expo Center, serving local racers, motorsport fans, event organizers, and community groups.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Motorsports and Event Venue Services

NAICS

Racetracks (711212)

SIC

Services-Racing, Including Track Operation (7948)

akta.pro primary industry

Race Tracks, Circuits & Motorsport Venues (MPAKAGAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Race Promoters & Event Organizers (Race Weekend Operations) (MPAKAGAC), Motorsports Tracks & Racing Facilities (MPAKAEAC), Fairgrounds & Expo Parks (THAHAAAH), Motorsports & Racing Experiences (THAJAFAF)

Keywords

• Stock car racing
• Motorsports venue
• Event venue rentals
• Expo center events
• NASCAR weekly racing

Headquarters

HQ city

Cedar Rapids

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Racing Event Revenue: Ticket sales for weekly racing events, special racing nights (NASCAR series, Miller 100, touring series events), enduros, and racing programs. Revenue from pit passes, general admission, and premium seating.
2. Expo Center Rentals: Rental income from hosting trade shows, conventions, auctions, weddings, and other private events in the 35,000+ square foot temperature-controlled Expo Center space.
3. Sponsorship Revenue: Sponsorships from companies including Van Meter, Keg 1 Iowa, O'Reilly Auto Parts, ASA Midwest Tour, and class sponsors (Sunline Hornets, Cassill Motors Sport Mods, etc.).
4. Concessions and Merchandise: Food, beverage, and merchandise sales during events including Hawkeye Downs branded apparel.
5. Charitable Events and 50/50 Raffles: The Miller 100 has raised over $300,000 for various charities. 50/50 raffle proceeds benefit nonprofits like Variety - the Children's Charity of Iowa.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Hawkeye Downs operates a nonprofit racing speedway and expo center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The facility features quarter-mile and half-mile banked asphalt ovals hosting weekly stock car racing, enduros, dirt track events, and touring series as part of the NASCAR Local Racing Series. A separate 35,000+ square foot temperature-controlled Expo Center provides event space for trade shows, conventions, weddings, and community gatherings.

Product overview

Hawkeye Downs is a nonprofit racing speedway and expo center operating as a single unified venue with two primary offerings: Hawkeye Downs Speedway for motorsports and the Expo Center for events. The speedway features ¼-mile and ½-mile banked asphalt ovals hosting NASCAR Local Racing Series, Enduros, Tuesday Night Titans go-kart racing (including the new Juice Box class for young children), and seasonal Dirt at the Downs events. The Expo Center provides over 35,000 square feet of event space for trade shows, weddings, and community events. Supporting services include Brian's Buzz racing news and Santa Village seasonal holiday events.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Hawkeye Downs Speedway A racing venue featuring quarter-mile and half-mile banked asphalt ovals for weekly stock car racing, enduros, street drags, and drifting expos. Hosts multiple racing classes including Hornets, Hobby Stocks, Legends, Sport Mods, Sportsmans, Late Models, and HD Dawgs. Open to racers, spectators, and event renters.
• Expo Center A temperature-controlled event space with over 35,000 total square feet for hosting trade shows, annual meetings, auctions, weddings, and other events. Located near highways with hotel access and attracts over 100,000 visitors annually.

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• ChildServecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 November 2024Partnership to host sensory-friendly events at Santa Village, creating inclusive experiences for children and families with autism or sensory processing disorders. ChildServe provides therapists and a calming space.
• NASCAR (Local Racing Series Powered by O'Reilly Auto Parts)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOfficial NASCAR Weekly Racing Series affiliation (rebranded in 2026 as NASCAR Local Racing Series Powered by O'Reilly Auto Parts). Hawkeye Downs hosts weekly NASCAR regional racing from April through August each year.
• ASA Midwest TourflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerSuper late model touring series that headlines the Miller 100 event annually. The ASA Midwest Tour brings top regional and national talent to Hawkeye Downs for prestigious 100-lap racing events.
• Benton County SpeedwaycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to produce Dirt at the Downs events, bringing dirt track racing back to Hawkeye Downs for the first time since the mid-1980s. Benton County Speedway handles promotion of dirt racing events.
• O'Reilly Auto PartsflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerTitle sponsor of the NASCAR Local Racing Series at Hawkeye Downs, providing official naming rights and marketing support for weekly racing events.
• Keg 1 IowaflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting sponsor of the Miller 100 event in 2026. KEG 1 Iowa is a local beverage distribution company with long-standing support for Hawkeye Downs racing.
• Van MeterflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting sponsor of the Miller 100 in 2025, representing a local business supporting the centennial celebration and racing tradition.
• Ken Schrader RacingcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerNASCAR legend Ken Schrader appeared at Dirt at the Downs events, bringing national recognition and fan interest to the special dirt racing events.
• IMCA (International Motor Contest Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSanctioning body for Dirt at the Downs dirt racing events, providing official rules, licensing, and race administration for Modifieds, Sport Mods, Hobby Stocks, and Stock Cars.
• Big 8 Late Model SeriescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional touring series that visits Hawkeye Downs annually for special racing events including the Clash at the Downs.
• Mid-Am SeriesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional touring series competing at Hawkeye Downs for additional racing entertainment.
• Midwest Truck SeriesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTruck racing series that visits Hawkeye Downs for special racing events.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Benton County Speedway: Iowa weekly dirt track that actively partners with Hawkeye Downs to produce the Dirt at the Downs series. Both operate weekly racing programs in Eastern Iowa and compete for similar regional car counts and sponsor dollars.
• Rockford Speedway: Illinois short track hosting weekly NASCAR late model and sportsman racing. Direct peer in weekly NASCAR regional racing, mid-sized Midwest venue scale, and class-based racing programming.
• Huset's Speedway: South Dakota weekly racing venue hosting World of Outlaws and weekly stock car/sprint car events. Comparable in weekly racing programming, multi-class format, and regional Midwest draw to Hawkeye Downs.
• Salem Speedway: Indiana high-banked half-mile asphalt oval hosting weekly and touring series racing events. Comparable in track configuration (high-banked half-mile) and role as a Midwest short track hub for touring series like ASA Midwest Tour.
• Knoxville Raceway: Iowa dirt track operating weekly sprint car and late model racing, with a similar multi-class weekly series model to Hawkeye Downs' NASCAR Local Racing Series programming. Both are Iowa-based venues competing for regional racing audiences and sponsorships.
• Madison International Speedway: Wisconsin weekly NASCAR-sanctioned short track operating super late model, late model, and sportsman classes. Highly comparable in scale, weekly racing format, and NASCAR regional affiliation to Hawkeye Downs.
• Grundy County Speedway: Illinois weekly NASCAR-sanctioned short track running late model and stock car classes. Direct peer in weekly NASCAR regional racing programming, Midwestern market footprint, and community racing model.
• Slinger Speedway: Wisconsin high-banked quarter-mile asphalt oval hosting weekly NASCAR-sanctioned racing. Comparable in track configuration, weekly NASCAR programming, and regional event scale to Hawkeye Downs.

Others

• ASA Midwest Tour: Regional super late model touring series that headlines Hawkeye Downs' signature Miller 100 event. Peer as a comparable Midwest short-track racing ecosystem participant and reference point for sanctioning economics and touring series partnerships.

Broad incumbents

• Iowa Speedway: Iowa-based NASCAR Cup and Xfinity venue in Newton, IA. Same state and NASCAR sanctioning umbrella as Hawkeye Downs but operates at a substantially larger scale (intermediate track vs. short track), serving as a broader motorsports incumbent in the same regional market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/hawkeyedownscr
• Instagraminstagram.com/hawkeyedownscr
• Xx.com/HawkeyeDowns
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/km-productions

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Hawkeye Downs