Newton Municipal Airport anticipates busy NASCAR race weekend

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Newton Municipal Airport anticipates busy NASCAR race weekend

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By Sky Industry News

Jun 3, 2025

NASCAR race weekend was a significant event last year at the Newton Municipal Airport, and staff are preparing for its return this August. The Iowa Corn 350, the first NASCAR Cup Series held at Iowa Speedway, attracted substantial traffic to both the racetrack and the nearby airport.

Ethan Nasalroad, president of Johnson Aviation, discussed the airport's experience during a recent city council presentation. "This was huge for Newton. This was huge for Iowa. As a fixed-base operator, to be able to handle a Cup race, that was really a big deal for us as well. We look forward to seeing them again next year," he stated before correcting himself. "Well, in a couple months I should say."

During NASCAR races, 47 aircraft were present at the airport over three days, while the IndyCar Race Weekend saw 54 aircraft.

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Johnson Aviation aims to match last year's traffic levels in 2024. Races at Iowa Speedway continue to bring visitors to the city-owned airport. According to Nasalroad's data, aside from race-related traffic, aerial applicators regularly use the facility.

Upcoming improvement projects indicate growth and high usage of the airport. Bids for apron expansion came in over $400,000 below engineer estimates, reducing the city's already low financial contribution.

The current space limits the airport's capacity amid ongoing growth driven by races at Iowa Speedway. Larger planes often require tenant ramp space or unconventional parking due to space constraints.

Hangar availability is also diminishing. "We're as busy and we're as full as we can be out there," Nasalroad remarked.

By October this year, Johnson Aviation will celebrate 75 years in business.