Hawkeye Downs Speedway

Cars sit out to be examined before racing at the Hawkeye Downs in Cedar Rapids on May 17, 2013.(Kaitlyn Bernauer/Gazette-KCRG9)

Keith captures another victory at Hawkeye Downs

MASCS competes at Hawkeye Downs for first time since 2009

CEDAR RAPIDS – It’s a safe bet Brad Keith will jump at the chance to come back to Hawkeye Downs Speedway. The Eastern Iowa track has produced memorable moments for the 29-year-old race car driver from West Bend, Wis. Keith will leave Cedar Rapids with another fond memory and the Mid-American Stock Car Series points lead after claiming [...]

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Matt Petrzelka (22, left) leads the start of the hobby stock division at the season opener of auto racing at Hawkeye Downs in Cedar Rapids on May 10, 2013. (Kaitlyn Bernauer/The Gazette-KCRG9)

Petrzelka primed for more Hawkeye Downs success

Local driver looks for additional challenge after two straight track championships

CEDAR RAPIDS – Matt Petrzelka’s heart starts racing before his hobby stock race car does. The 22-year-old thrives on the “intense” adrenaline rush accompanying0 the green flag to drop. The same could be said for the tests presented by other drivers and a desire to keep winning. He has done plenty of it at Hawkeye [...]

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Mid-American Stock Cars stop at Hawkeye Downs

Touring series will compete during weekly race show

CEDAR RAPIDS – A treat for local fans and a test for some local drivers. The Mid-America Stock Car Series returns to Hawkeye Downs Speedway for the first time in four years Friday, competing in a 45-lap feature as part of the weekly race show. Gates open at 6 p.m. with hot laps at 6:35 [...]

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Hawkeye Downs season opens, Gibson wins feature

CEDAR RAPIDS — The green flag dropped on the opening night of the summer racing season at Hawkeye Downs Speedway Friday night with four points champions returning to defend their titles and hone their skills. “Kind of one of those things on the bucket list that you can check off, so we’re going to give [...]

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Mark Ironside takes instruction from legends car veteran Warren Ropp last summer at Hawkeye Downs Speedway. Ironside will run on a regular basis at the track this summer. (Nikole Hanna/The Gazette-KCRG)

Full throttle for former Iowa wrestler Ironside

Former Hawkeye NCAA champion racing most of season at Hawkeye Downs

CEDAR RAPIDS – Mark Ironside owns a reputation of having an unrelenting motor. The continuous attack and motion he displayed on a wrestling mat resulted in success, including two state titles at Cedar Rapids Jefferson and two NCAA titles with four All-American finishes for the University of Iowa. Ironside will get the chance to show off [...]

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Local auto racing fans will have to wait for action at Hawkeye Downs Speedway. The track postponed its season opener until Friday, May 10. (Nikole Hanna/The Gazette-KCRG)

Hawkeye Downs Speedway opener postponed

Start of weekly points series pushed back to Friday, May 10

CEDAR RAPIDS – The brakes have been applied to the start of the auto racing season at Hawkeye Downs Speedway. The local asphalt track announced Thursday that it was postponing the season-opening night due to Friday’s less-than-favorable weather forecast. Hawkeye Downs will begin its weekly points races Friday, May 10 with Innovative Signs Night, starting with hot [...]

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Cory Houdek

Meet the Hawkeye Downs drivers: Cory Houdek

Houdek has won multiple track titles at HDS

MEET THE DRIVERS AT HAWKEYE DOWNS Name: Cory Houdek Age: 29 Hometown: Cedar Rapids Racing class: Sporstman Car number: 19 Favorite local driver: Max Corporon Favorite racing movie: Days Of Thunder Best season finish at Hawkeye Downs: 2009 IMCA Stock Car Champion, 2011 Sportsman Champion Most memorable racing moment: Last lap pass for the win [...]

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Brody Willett

Meet the Hawkeye Downs drivers: Brody Willett

11-year-old rookie will compete in legends division

MEET THE DRIVERS AT HAWKEYE DOWNS Name: Brody Willett Age: 11 Hometown:Alburnett Racing class: INEX Legends Car number: 00 Favorite local driver: Bryce Bailey Favorite racing movie: Talladega Nights Best season finish at Hawkeye Downs: Willett is a rookie this season. Most memorable racing moment: Winning Maxxis Nationals in Neeces, SC When and why did [...]

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Matt Petrzelka

Meet the Hawkeye Downs drivers: Matt Petrzelka

Petrzelka was the 2012 hobby stock season points champion

MEET THE DRIVERS AT HAWKEYE DOWNS Name: Matt Petrzelka Age: 21 Hometown: Norway Racing class: Hobby Stock Car number: 22 Favorite local driver: Mike Schulte Favorite racing movie: Days of Thunder Best season finish at Hawkeye Downs: First (hobby stocks season points, winning 10 features in 2012) Most memorable racing moment: My most memorable moment [...]

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Brian Gibson

Meet the Hawkeye Downs drivers: Brian Gibson

Gibson was 2012 modified season points champion

MEET THE DRIVERS AT HAWKEYE DOWNS Name: Brian Gibson Age:45 Hometown: West Branch Racing class: Modified Car number: 17 Favorite local driver: Landon Cassill Favorite racing movie: Days of Thunder Best season finish at Hawkeye Downs: 2012 Modified points champion Most memorable racing moment: Winning the Performance Concepts 50. When and why did you start [...]

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