The demands placed on the Newton Municipal Airport, particularly on IndyCar race weekends, is a major factor in a planned parking area expansion for airplanes. The city has submitted a grant application to the Federal Aviation Administration for the project, which is estimated to cost around $1.5 million. Newton Community Development Director Erin Chambers says the additional parking space for planes is needed for IndyCar and NASCAR race weekends at Iowa Speedway. Currently, Chambers says some planes have to be kept at other nearby airports.

“This will have a significant impact on the community from an economic standpoint, keeping those visitors here in town instead of going back and forth to Des Moines or Ankeny. Also there is an economic impact when those planes are purchasing fuel from the Newton Airport. So keeping them here during those large events is good for the community.”

The Newton Municipal Airport is located next to Iowa Speedway. Airport Manager Ethan Nasalroad says 50 to 60 planes typically fly into the airport on race weekends, and the airport only has ramp space for 20 larger jets. He states his staff has to get creative, and some planes are parked in unusual places.